New Records of Simulium murmanum Enderlein, 1935 and Simulium reptans (Linnaeus, 1758) (Diptera: Simuliidae) in North-Eastern Kazakhstan: Bionomics and Habitat Range
Orazbekova A.A. Akhmetov K.K. Petrozhitskaya L.V. Kabyltayeva A.Z. Khalykova M.Z. Burkitbaeva U.D. Mazhenova L.M. Kiyan V.
October 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Diversity
2025#17Issue 10
This study investigates the species composition and distribution of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Kazakhstan, with a focus on two species newly recorded for the country: Simulium murmanum (Enderlein, 1935) and Simulium reptans (Linnaeus, 1758). The presence of S. murmanum in Kazakhstan is reported for the first time, supported by morphological and molecular genetic analyses. Diagnostic features of the larva, pupa, and adult stages are described in detail, including the structure and coloration of the larval head capsule, pupal cocoon, and genitalia of both sexes. Habitat preferences and pupal substrate attachment patterns are illustrated, with observations on variations in cocoon branching across different flow regimes. Species identification was conducted using the morphological keys of Rubtsov and Yankovsky, and taxonomic classification was confirmed using the framework proposed by Adler. Molecular confirmation of S. murmanum was performed via DNA analysis. The species was found to be restricted to the foothill regions of East Kazakhstan, suggesting a distribution closely associated with the Altai mountain systems and adjacent regions in Mongolia and China. Unlike its status as a dominant hematophagous species in parts of Russia, S. murmanum has not demonstrated biting activity in Kazakhstan, Mongolia, or China. Additionally, the study provides the first records of S. reptans within the fauna of Kazakhstan, initially identified in the Irtysh River (Pavlodar Region). Subsequent sampling conducted in June 2024 revealed a continuous distribution of S. reptans along the Irtysh River through to the mountain streams of East Kazakhstan. The species was found in mountainous, foothill, and lowland environments, highlighting its wide ecological plasticity.
biogeography , bionomics , ecological plasticity , Irtysh River , molecular identification , new country record
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
Department of Biology and Ecology, Toraighyrov University, Pavlodar, 140008, Kazakhstan
Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation
Laboratory of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, National Center for Biotechnology, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Scientific Center for Biological Research, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Department of Biology and Ecology
Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals
Laboratory of Biodiversity and Genetic Resources
Scientific Center for Biological Research
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026