New faunistic records of chironomids and phantom midges (Diptera, Chironomidae and Chaoboridae) from Ukraine indicate recent climatic refugia in the Eastern Carpathians

Abstract

The aquatic insect fauna of the Eastern Carpathians is poorly known, especially in Ukraine. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted faunistic surveys of Chironomidae and Chaoboridae in 2018 and 2021. The study involved sampling of 11 watercourses and 10 mountain lakes situated in the Ukrainian part of the Eastern Carpathians. A total of 101 taxa were identified, including 40 chironomid species and one genus that have been recorded for the first time from Ukraine. The occurrence of one species previously considered as “doubtfully present” in Ukraine was confirmed by this study. One of the two identified phantom midge species, Chaoborus (s. str.) obscuripes (van der Wulp, 1859), is recorded for the first time from Ukraine. The most intriguing records are chironomid species Cricotopus (s. str.) beckeri Hirvenoja, 1973, Eukiefferiella bedmari Vilchez-Quero & Laville, 1987, and Pseudorthocladius (s. str.) berthelemyi Moubayed, 1990. These species have Mediterranean distribution and their occurrence in the Eastern Carpathians could be remains of once-widespread populations that currently survive in the Carpathian refugia due to adverse climatic conditions in the former distribution area. The high number of first records from a relatively small number of sites indicates a great gap in the knowledge of the Ukrainian chironomid fauna.