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Catalog of Georgian Earth-boring dung beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae)
expand article infoShota Japarashvili
‡ Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
Open Access

Abstract

A summarized list of Georgian earth-boring dung beetles is given, together with Georgian names, distribution data, and suggestions for national red list status according to IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

Key words

Sakartvelo, South Caucasus, distribution, red list

Introduction

The earth-boring beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) are part of the order Coleoptera, with an approximate number of 350 species described worldwide (Schoolmeesters 2010). According to current classification, the family is divided into three subfamilies (Cunha et al. 2011; Nikolajev et al. 2016), of which only the Geotrupinaea are represented in Georgia (Dzambazishvili 1979; Nikolajev et al. 2016).

Georgia (69.700 km2) is located in the center of the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot and harbors a diverse fauna (Myers et al. 2000). The entomofauna of Georgia has been studied for centuries. As the largest and most diverse order of animals, beetles are relatively well studied in Georgia (Tarkhnishvili et al. 2013; Mumladze et al. 2020). One of the first lists of beetles of the Caucasus was published by Radde (1899). However, the most significant work about Georgian earth-boring dung beetles is done by Yason Dzambazishvili, who provided rather comprehensive data on their distribution (Dzambazishvili 1979; 2000)). Since these works, new distributional data have appeared in the public databases (Tarkhnishvili et al. 2013; GBIF 2023), social media (that proved to be a valuable tool for gathering data for Georgia (Iankoshvili et al. 2021)), collections (see below), and knowledge of the country-scale distribution of earth-boring dung beetles has increased. The aim of this paper is to provide a list of earth-boring beetles, including updated distribution data and maps, and to evaluate the conservation status of Georgian representatives of the family according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2012).

Materials and methods

The occurrences of Geogian earth-boring beetles were compiled from the papers of Dzambazishvili (1979; 2000) and Japoshvili et al. (2022), web-databases (Georgian Biodiversity Database (GBD) (Tarkhnishvili et al. 2013), Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (GBIF Secretariat 2023), Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Science (ZIN) (https://www.zin.ru/Animalia/Coleoptera/eng/geotrupi.htm) and Ukrainian Biodiversity Information Network (https://ukrbin.com/) (UkrBIN 2022) and Dry collections deposited in Agricultural University of Georgia (EIAUG), Zoological Institute of Ilia State University (ISUZI) as well as personal collection of Dr. Giorgi Chaladze (CGC). In addition, previously unpublished original material recently collected within the framework of the Caucasus Barcode of Life (CaBOL; https://ggbc.eu/) project was also included. For the occurrence data without exact geographic coordinates (part of the literature data and collection material). I geo-referenced literature-based sampling locations using Google Earth Pro v. 7.3.6, with an estimated precision of 100 m. Guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) were used to evaluate species conservation statuses for Georgia (IUCN 2012, 2019). The area of occupancy (AOO) is given based on a 10 km2 grid cell count overlaid on the country's territory, and the extent of occurrence (EOO) was estimated for only Georgia. Maps were made in QGIS Desktop 3.16.3. Photos of voucher specimens (Figs 3 and 4) were taken using a Canon EOS 550D camera with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM and a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Snap-On Lens. Specimens depicted in Figs 4 and 7 were taken using a Canon EOS 60D camera with a Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1–5x Macro Photo Lens mounted on a Novoflex Castel-L Focusing Rack. Digital images were prepared using Zerene Stacker image stacking software and Adobe Photoshop CS6. As for the rest of the voucher specimens, pictures of Maxim Smirnov (amateur entomologist and photographer, Ivanovo, Russia) were used (Figs 2, 6, and 7).

The nomenclature is given according to the Catalogue of Palearctic Coleoptera (Nikolajev et al. 2016). Georgian names are proposed by the author.

Figure 1. 

Distribution of earth-boring dung beetles (Coleoptera, Geotrupidae) in Georgia. Yellow dots represent surveyed localities of all Geotrupidae species combained.

Results

Order Coleopera Linnaeus, 1758

Family Geotrupidae Latreille, 1802

Geotrupes (Glyptogeotrupes) molestus (Faldermann, 1836)

Georgian name

აბეზარა (ფრთაგლუვა) ფუნაგორია.

Global distribution

The species is generally distributed in the Caucasus. Out of Georgia, it is known from Armenia (Baraud 1992) and Turkey (Nikolajev et al. 2016; Rozner and Rozner 2009; Baraud 1992).

Distribution in Georgia

• 1♀; Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Zekari pass; N41.81667°, E42.83333°; 1969 m a.s.l.; 14/15 June 2014; Leg. D Fominikh; ZIN (Fig. 2A).

IUCN red list status

NE

National red list status

DD. The species from Georgia is so far known only from a single locality. Most probably, the species occupies a large area in Georgia; however, at this moment, the data is insufficient to assess its conservation status.

Figure 2. 

Geotrupes molestus . A - Habitus, dorsal side (photo credit to Maxim Smirnov); B – Distribution map. Black square represents the area of occupancy (AOO) in Georgia.

Geotrupes mutator (Marsham, 1802)

Georgian name

მწვანე ცვალებადი ფუნაგორია.

Global distribution

North Africa; nearly all of continental Europe and England; the Caucasus; and Asia Minor (Baraud 1992; Shokhin 2007).

Distribution in Georgia

• 6 inds; Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Khevsha; N42.400542°, E44.689348°; 1458 m a.s.l.; 17 Septemebr 2004; Leg. G Chaladze; CGC. • Lisi lake; N41.74442°, E44.74013°; Dzambazishvili 1979. • Gldani; N41.8088°, E44.834°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Soganlug; N41.6398°, E44.9161°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Manglisi; N41.6966°, E44.3739°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Mejvriskhevi; N42.1299°, E44.2145°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Kazbegi (Stepantsminda); N42.6600°, E44.6412°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Roshka; N42.4829°, E44.9285°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Kobulo; N42.4741°, E44.9421°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Amga; N42.6695°, E44.9267°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Gomi; N42.0211°, E43.7268°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Borjomi; N41.8400°, E43.3908°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Bakuriani; N41.7512°, E43.5296°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Kvabiskhevi; N41.7755°, E43.2445°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Telavi; N41.9169°, E45.4774°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Lagodekhi; N41.8411°, E46.2834°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Surroundings of Paravni Lake; N41.5303°, E43.8877°; EIAUG. • Dighomi village; N41.7827°, E44.7012°; Tarkhnishvili et al. 2013 (Fig. 3A). • Tskoushi; N42.6665°, E41.9747°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Mestia; N43.0334°, E42.6897°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Latali; N43.0000°, E42.6164°; Dzhambazishvili 1979.

IUCN red list status

NE.

National red list status

LC. This species is widespread all over Georgia. AOO is 180 km2 and EOO is 31,370 km2 (Fig. 3B). The population trend is not known, and direct threats have not been indicated. Based on its generally large distribution area and dense occurrence, G. mutator should be evaluated as "Least Concern".

Figure 3. 

Geotrupes mutator . A - Habitus, dorsal side (photo credit to Armen Seropian); B - Distribution map. Black squares represent the area of occupancy (AOO) in Georgia, and green polygon shows the extent of occurrence (EOO).

Geotrupes (stercorarius) olgae (Olsoufieff, 1918)

Georgian name

ოლგასებრი ფუნაგორია.

Global distribution

In Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera (Nikolajev and Bezděk 2016) G. olgae Olsoufieff, 1918 is recorded for Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine (Krimea), the South European territories of Russia, and Iran.

Distribution in Georgia

• 1 ind; Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Khotevi; N42.4640°, E43.1385°; 867 m a.s.l.; 25 July 2021; leg. A Sanakoeva; CaBOL-1013022. • 2 inds; Samtskhe-Javakheti, Nedzvi Managed Reserve; N41.880°, E43.519°; 1001 m a.s.l.; 08 October 2021; leg. A Seropian, N Bulbulashvili; CaBOL-1013098, CaBOL-1013099. • 1♂, 1♀; Envrons of Tbilisi; N41.816926°, E44.75694°; 568 m a.s.l.; September 2006; leg. G Chaladze; CGC ID: G367, G 370. • 1 ind; Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, Mestia; N43.045868°, E42.733608°; 1406 m a.s.l.; 1 April 2022; Leg. "larsonek" (iNaturalist); GBIF ID: 3760191033. • 1 ind; Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Kazbegi (Juta); N42.559805°, E44.762735°; 2461 m a.s.l.; 13 June 2019; Leg. F Riegel (iNaturalist); GBIF ID: 2634248431. • 1 ind; Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Khevsha; N42.400542°, E44.689348°; 1458 m a.s.l.; 5 August 2004; leg. G Chaladze; CGC. • 1 ind; 1.6 km west from Murkmeli; N42.915306°, E42.978846°; 2049 m a.s.l.; 14 June 2022; leg. Jacek Pietruszewski (iNaturalist); GBIF ID: 3859629697. • Surroundings of Paravani Lake; N41.4389°, E43.8512°; Tarkhnishvili et al. 2013. • Kodistskaro; N42.0293°, E44.3523°; Tarkhnishvili et al. 2013. (Fig. 4A) • Gori; N41.9848°, E44.1090°; Tarkhnishvili et al. 2013. • Dighomi Village; N41.7799°, E44.6948°; Tarkhnishvili et al. 2013. • Lisi Lake; N41.7444°, E44.7401°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Tsodoreti; N41.7624°, E44.6519°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Shavnabada; N41.6526°, E44.8386°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Kojori; N41.6611°, E44.7086°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Red Bridge; N41.3297°, E45.0727°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Pasanauri; N42.3526°, E44.6875°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Roshka; N42.4829°, E44.9285°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Mt. Sachali; N42.4529°, E44.8617°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Shatili; N42.6581°, E45.1556°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Mutso; N42.6056°, E45.2047°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Akhieli; N42.6576°, E44.9051°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Kazbegi (Stepantsminda); N42.6600°, E44.6412°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Ketrisi; N42.5966°, E44.3990°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Gveleti; N42.7107°, E44.6247°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Tsalka; N41.5981°, E44.0941°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Beshtasheni; N41.6381°, E44.1154°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Kariaki; N41.6646°, E44.0719°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Kaburi; N41.7055°, E44.0009°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Khando; N41.6936°, E43.8093°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Kokhta (Akhaliki); N41.5988°, E44.1422°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Bediani; N41.5999°, E44.2167°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Sakdrioni (Edikilisa); N41.5919°, E43.9331°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Dmanisi; N41.3302°, E44.2072°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Mejvriskhevi; N42.1299°, E44.2145°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Java; N42.3897°, E43.9250°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Gomi; N42.0211°, E43.7268°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Surami; N42.0265°, E43.5526°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Nagutini; N42.2429°, E43.7177°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Borjomi; N41.8400°, E43.3908°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Bakuriani; N41.7512°, E43.5296°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Tabatskuri Lake; N41.6668°, E43.6204°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Uraveli; N41.5601°, E43.0780°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Akhalkalaki; N41.4056°, E43.4861°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Sulda; N41.2781°, E43.3684°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Lagodekhi; N41.8411°, E46.2834°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • 2 inds; Lagodekhi Protected Areas; N41.8542°, E46.2927°; 17/21 July 2019; leg. Jerzy Borowski and Adam Byk; Japoshvili et al. 2022. • Gavazi; N41.8531°, E45.8671°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Jokolo; N42.1733°, E45.3088°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Lichi; N42.1540°, E43.4786°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Jvari; N42.1963°, E43.5941°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Kulbaki; N42.6311°, E42.6390°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Chkhuteli; N42.6501°, E42.7869°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Bandza; N42.3515°, E42.2813°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Lebarde; N42.7356°, E42.4951°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Sachino; N42.6494°, E42.0781°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Skuri; N42.6833°, E42.1666°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Lentekhi; N42.7930°, E42.7188°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Koruldashi; N42.9176°, E43.1432°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Lakhiri; N43.0547°, E42.8147°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Ipari; N43.0054°, E42.2892°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Tavrali; N43.0682°, E42.4250°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Latali; N43.0000°, E42.6164°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Mt. Ushba; N43.1216°, E42.6598°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Mt. Koruldi; N43.0849°, E42.7074°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Chkhalta; N43.0939°, E41.6636°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Gagra; N43.2808°, E40.2748°; EIAUG. • Sokhumi; N43.0424°, E41.0031°; EIAUG. • Anaklia; N42.3895°, E41.5868°; ISUZI. • Mestia; Mt. Banguriani; N43.0714°, E42.7813°; ISUZI. • Tsutskhvati; N42.2953°, E42.8635°; ISUZI. • Adjara region, Akhaldaba; N41.6502°, E42.1482°; ISUZI.

IUCN red list status

NE.

National red list status

LC. Species is widespread and common all over Georgia. AOO is 620 km2 and EOO is 56 893 km2 (Fig. 4B). The population trend is unknown, and direct threats have not been indicated. Based on its generally large distribution area and continuous occurrence, G. (S.) olgae should be evaluated as "Least Concern".

Figure 4. 

Geotrupes (stercorarius) olgae. A - Habitus, dorsal side (photo credit to Armen Seropian); B - Distribution map. Black squares represent the area of occupancy (AOO) in Georgia, and green polygon shows the extent of occurrence (EOO).

Geotrupes spiniger (Marsham, 1802)

Georgian name

ცხვირრქოსანა ფუნაგორია.

General distribution. Europe and Western Asia east to Northern Iran. Fairly common throughout the distribution range (Shokin 2019).

Distribution in Georgia

• Tbilisi; N41.7142°, E44.8234°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Pasanauri; N42.3526°, E44.6875°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Gomi; N41.9203°, E44.3792°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Kaburi; N41.7055°, E44.0005°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Bediani; N41.6003°, E44.2164°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Telavi; N41.9169°, E45.4774°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Lagodekhi; N41.8411°, E46.2834°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Mestia; N43.0334°, E42.6897°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Latali; N43.0000°, E42.6164°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Ushguli; N42.9173°, E43.0149°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Gulripshi District, Azhara; N43.1106°, E41.7024°; Dzhambazishvili 1979.

IUCN red list status

NE.

National red list status

DD. Although the global distribution area is large and no threats or population changes have ever been reported, an evaluation of the species status in Georgia is not confidently possible due to a lack of data. Unlike expextation, AOO and EOO in Georgia are 21.175 km2 and 180 km2 respectively, and therefore it can be considered "Data Deficient" locally.

Figure 5. 

Distribution map of Geotrupes spiniger for Georgia. Black squares represent the area of occupancy (AOO) in Georgia, and the green polygon shows the extent of occurrence (EOO).

Trypocopris (Trypocopris) caspius (Motschulsky, 1845)

Syn: Geotrupes caucasicus Weise, 1879 (Djambazishvili 1979).

Georgian name

კასპიური ფუნაგორია.

Global distribution

Central Caucasus. It is recorded from the Greater Caucasus in Azerbaijan, Zakatala State Reserve (Shokin 2019). According to Nikolajev et al. (2016) Trypocopris caspius is distributed not only in Georgia but also in the South European Territory of Russia, Iran, and Turkey.

Distribution in Georgia

• 1 ind; Guria, Bakhmaro; N41.854648°, E42.326441°; 1961 m a.s.l.; 26 May 2021; leg. G Chaladze; CaBOL-1009607. • 2 inds; Imereti region, 6 km South of Sairme; N41.877933°, E42.769081°; 1460 m a.s.l.; 06 June 2006; leg. A Putchkov; CGC. • 1♂; Adjara, 3.70 km South of Karapeti; N41.520688°, E42.264959°; 2136 m a.s.l.; 20 June 2017; leg. S Svetlov; ZIN (Fig. 6A) • 1 ind; Khevsureti, Basin of River Roshka; leg. G Chaladze; CGC. • Borjomi; N41.8400°, E43.3908°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Lomis Mta; N41.8706°, E43.2511°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Gudauri; N42.4755°, E44.4804°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Jvari Pass; N42.4937°, E44.4523°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Khakhmati; N42.5290°, E44.9933°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Roshka; N42.4829°, E44.9285°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Giorgitsminda; N41.7301°, E45.3514°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Mt. Zurgidzvala; N42.0325°, E45.9294°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Mt. Kochalo; N41.8711°, E46.3564°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Zekari Pass; N41.8275°, E42.8618°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Lagodekhi; N41.8570°, E46.3416°; EIAUG. • Lebarde; N42.7356°, E42.4951°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Ushba; N43.1238°, E42.6600°; Dzhambazishvili 2000. • Koruldashi; N42.9176°, E43.1432°; Dzhambazishvili 2000. • Avadkhara; N43.5279°, E40.6314°; Dzhambazishvili 2000. • Mt. Banguriani; N43.0999°, E42.8095°; Dzhambazishvili 2000. • Latali; N43.0000°, E42.6164°; Dzhambazishvili 2000. • 1 ind; Left slope in Khaldechala River; N42.966393°, E42.982977°; 2242 m a.s.l.; 16 June 2022; leg. "marcelpolling" (iNaturalist); GBIF ID: 3988624470.

IUCN red list status

NE.

National red list status

LC. This species is distributed all over Georgia, with a large AOO (190 km2) and EOO (47.299 km2). Since no population decline or threatening factor is known, this species should be considered of "Least Concern" in Georgia.

Figure 6. 

Trypocopris (Trypocopris) caspius. A – Habitus, dorsal side (photo credit to Maxim Smirnov); B - Distribution map. Black squares represent the area of occupancy (AOO) in Georgia, and the green polygon shows the extent of occurrence (EOO).

Trypocopris inermis (Menetries, 1832)

Georgian name

უფრთო ფუნაგორია (აფხაზური ფუნაგორია).

Global distribution

Western Caucasus (Shokhin 2007), with a type location in Circassia (Baraud 1992). Based on literature data, this species is endemic to the western part of the Caucasus, as it was never recorded for Armenia, Azerbaijan, or Turkey (Iablokov-Khnzorian 1967; Nikolajev et al. 2016; Polat et al. 2018; Shokin 2019).

Distribution in Georgia

• 1 ind; Abkhazia, Gagra; N43.327552°, E40.322623°; 1480 m a.s.l.; 07 July 2022; leg. L Androsiuk (iNaturalist); GBIF ID: 125761900. • 1 ind; Abkhazia, Gagra; N43.310319° E40.329340°; 1785 m a.s.l.; 18 July 2008; leg. A Vlasenko (iNaturalist); GBIF ID: 41357015. • 1 ind; Tkvarcheli, Mt. Tsastou; N42.9333°, E41.8000°; 1689 m a.s.l.; 17 July 2011; leg. V Neimorovets; UkrBIN ID: 58398. • Gvandra; N43.11666°, E41.83333°; 997 m a.s.l.; 21 May 1966; GBIF ID: 3023229526; Kurina 2022. • Adanga; N43.313888°, E41.28°; 2318 m a.s.l.; 25 July 1981; GBIF ID: 3023381607; Kurina 2022. • Pskhu; N43.3855°, E40.8162°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Chkhalta; N43.0942°, E41.6637°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • Avadkhara; N43.5412°, E40.6564°; Dzhambazishvili 1979. • West limbs of Bzybsky Mt. Range, Anaschtur Village; ZIN (Fig. 7A).

IUCN red list status

NE.

National red list status

VU. This species is an endemic to western Great Caucasus (Dzhambazishvili 1979). Georgian populations represent the southern margin for the species distribution, with relatively small AOO (70 km2) and EOO (3,121 km2) (Fig. 7B) in the country. Given the endemic status of the species with marginal populations in Georgia, its national conservation status should be defined as "Vulnerable".

Figure 7. 

Trypocopris inermis . A – Habitus, dorsal side (photo credit to Maxim Smirnov); B - Distribution map. Black squares represent the area of occupancy (AOO) in Georgia, and the green polygon shows the extent of occurrence (EOO).

Discussion

This paper provides a list of all species known so far in Georgia. However, as shown in Fig. 1, many places within Georgian territory remain unobserved for earth-boring beetles. According to Shokhin (2007), Trypocopris inermis is distributed in the Western Caucasus, from Krasnodar Krai to Karachay-Cherkessia. Therefore, its presence in the Svaneti region of Georgia can not be excluded, and additional studies are needed to delineate the southern border of its distribution.

Recently, one more earth-boring dung beetle, Odonteus armiger (Scopoli, 1772), was reported from Lagodekhi Protected Areas (north-eastern Georgia) by Japoshvili et al. (2022). In addition, the species was also reported from south-western Georgia (Makhinjauri) in GBIF based on citizen science data (de Vries and Lemmens 2023). However, both records need to be further confirmed, and given the data, no conservation status can be evaluated at any level of uncertainty.

Additional data is required for Geotrupes molestus, as its distribution has not been properly studied. In the literature, only the Caucasus mountains of Armenia (Baraud 1992) and Turkey (Nikolajev et al. 2016) are indicated. In Georgia, this species was found in Zekari Pass; therefore, field data from Goderdzi Pass through the Javakheti Highland to the Armenian border is needed in order to understand the distribution range of G. molestus in Georgia.

Three homonyms are known for Geotrupes caucasicus (Nikolajev et al. 2016; GBIF 2022). G. caucasicus Weise, 1879, was listed for Georgia by Djambazishvili (1979); nowadays, this species is known as Trypocopris (Trypocopris) caspius (Motschulsky, 1845). Other two homonyms, G. caucasicus Sharp, 1871, which is a synonym of G. (Glyptogeotrupes) molestus (Faldermann, 1836), and Geotrupes caucasicus Schneider & Leder, 1878 which is a synonym of Trypocopris vernalis (Linnaeus, 1758) have never been reported from Georgia.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Armen Seropian and Natalia Bulbulashvili, for providing data and taking pictures of voucher specimens. My deepest gratitude to Dr. George Japoshvili (Head of the intitute of entomology in Agricultural University of Georgia, Tbilisi) for giving access to the entomological collections of Agricultural University of Georgia and to Dr. Zurab Javakhishvili and Dr. Ketevan Batsatsashvili (Institute of Ecology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia) for valuable addvices in essesment. Deepest gratitude towards Maxim Smirnov for providing pictures and data. Special thanks to unamused reviewers for their valuable advices and to Dr. Levan Mumladze for his extensive editing of the manuscript. The study was supported by the Caucasus Barcode of Life (CaBOL) project financed by Federal Ministry of Education and Research under the grant 01DK20014A.

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