identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
713901F9CEE75D2C93224A253ADDBAB9.text	713901F9CEE75D2C93224A253ADDBAB9.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Niphargus almensis Marin & Palatov 2026	<div><p>Niphargus almensis Marin &amp; Palatov sp. nov.</p><p>Figs 2 a – 8</p><p>Material examined.</p><p>Holotype • male (bl. 12.0 mm) (ZMMU Mb-1317) – Crimean Peninsula, Bakhchisaray region, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=34.010307&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=44.83533" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 34.010307/lat 44.83533)">surroundings of Malinovka village, Alma River</a>, 44°50'07.2"N, 034°00'37.1"E, hyporhea, excavation of the gravel bottom with a shovel, coll. I. Marin, 24. 06. 2025 . Paratypes • 2 males, 2 females (bl. 9.0– 10.5 mm) (ZMMU Mb-1318) – same locality and data as holotype .</p><p>Additional material.</p><p>Crimean Peninsula, Bakhchisaray region • 4 males, 3 females (bl. 7.0–9.0 mm) – <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=34.004665&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=44.838028" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 34.004665/lat 44.838028)">Topoli village, Alma river</a>, 44°50'16.9"N, 034°00'16.8"E, hyporhea, excavation of the gravel bottom with a shovel, coll. I. Marin, 24. 06. 2025 • 5 males, 2 females (bl. 7.5–9.0 mm) – <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=33.99967&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=44.839027" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 33.99967/lat 44.839027)">Topoli village, Alma river</a>, 44°50'20.5"N, 033°59'58.8"E, gravel hyporhea, excavation of the gravel bottom with a shovel, coll. I. Marin, 24. 06. 2025 • 4 males, 3 females (bl. 6.5–9.0 mm) – <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=33.94311&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=44.828" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 33.94311/lat 44.828)">Pochtovoe village, close to the confluence of the Alma and Bodrak rivers</a>, overgrown and silted Bodrak riverbed, 44°49'40.8"N, 033°56'35.2"E, hyporhea, hand net sampling, coll. I. Marin, 24. 06. 2025 • 2 males, 2 females (bl. 7.2 mm) – <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=33.998165&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=44.77875" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 33.998165/lat 44.77875)">upper reaches of the Bodrak river</a>, gravel riverbed, 44°46'43.5"N, 033°59'53.4"E, hyporhea, hand net sampling, coll. I. Marin, 24. 06. 2025 .</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>The new species is named after the Alma River, located in the northwestern slope of the mountain ridge of the Crimean Peninsula, where it was discovered.</p><p>Diagnosis.</p><p>Head with small yellow eyes and feebly developed pigmented spots on anterior lobe. Maxilla I with only 3 lower spines bearing 1 lateral tooth each. Posteroventral corners of epimeral plates I – III rounded. Urosomite I with 1 long simple seta on each side dorsolaterally; urosomite II with 2 simple strong spines each side dorsolaterally; urosomite III unarmed. Palm of gnathopods I and II close to triangular, with oblique palmar margins, and dorsal width larger than lower; dactylus with numerous simple setae along outer margin. Dactyli of ambulatory pereopods III – VII with 1 small additional median spine and 1 median short plumose seta at outer margin. Rami of uropod I unequal in size: endopodite about 1.7 ' – 1.8 ' longer than exopodite in males and slightly longer in females, with tufts of marked long curved setae in both sexes. Rami of uropod III differ in males and females; significantly longer in males, with distal article equal to proximal. Retinacula of pleopods with 2 hooks and 1 additional simple seta. Telson with 3 medium-sized distal spines on each lobe and 1–2 lateral spines, accompanied by 2 small plumose setae, and with 1 small submarginal inner spine on each lobe, with 0–1 small mesial seta on its dorsal surface.</p><p>Description.</p><p>Holotype male. Body (Fig. 3 a) moderately slender, but strong and non-stygomorphic, yellowish in coloration.</p><p>Head (Fig. 3 a): approximately 8 % of body length; with small yellow eyes and feebly developed pigmented spots on anterior lobe, with bluntly produced anteroventral lobe and excavated anteroventral sinus.</p><p>Pereon: pereonites I – VII smooth, without spines or teeth, with tiny setae.</p><p>Pleosoma: pleonites I – III with several short marginal setae on each posterodorsal margin.</p><p>Epimeral plates: posteroventral corners of epimeral plates I – III rounded. Epimeral plate I (Fig. 7 a): posterior margin convex, ventral margin almost straight; without spines along ventral margin; with 6 setae along posterior margin; posteroventral angle with 1 strong seta. Epimeral plate II (Fig. 7 b): posterior and ventral margin convex; with 3 spiniform setae along ventral margin; with 7–9 small setae along posterior margin; posteroventral angle with 1 strong seta. Epimeral plate III (Fig. 7 c): posterior and ventral margins slightly convex; ventral margin with 3 spiniform setae; with 8 small setae along posterior margin.</p><p>Urosomites: urosomite I with 1 long simple seta on each side dorsolaterally; urosomite II with 2 simple strong spines on each side dorsolaterally; urosomite III unarmed.</p><p>Coxae: coxal plate I (Fig. 4 d) irregular oblong oval, with rounded anteroventral margin, armed with 8 setae; width / depth ratio of coxal plate I about 1 / 1.67; width / depth ratio of coxal plates II – IV about 1 / 1.36, 1 / 1.05 and 1 / 1.21, respectively; anterior and ventral margins of coxal plate II – IV with 8 setae each (Figs 4 f, 6 a, c); with rounded anteroventral corners; coxal plates V – VI (Fig. 6 e, g) with large lobes anteriorly, bearing 5 and 2 setae, respectively; posterior margins with 3 and 2 setae, respectively; coxal plate VII (Fig. 6 i) semicircular and with 1 seta on posterior lobe; coxal gills II – VI ovoid of which II and VI more elongated, length ratio of gills / bases of pereopods close to 0.71 / 1, 0.80 / 1, 0.70 / 1, 0.86 / 1 and 0.67 / 1, respectively.</p><p>Antenna I (Fig. 4 a): slender, about 48–50 % of body length (Fig. 3 a); peduncular articles moderately slender, with ratio close to 1 / 0.88 / 0.41; flagellum with 29–30 articles, most of them with two short aesthetascs each; accessory flagellum short, two-articulated (Fig. 4 b), with distal article about twice shorter than proximal.</p><p>Antenna II (Fig. 4 c): peduncular articles moderately stout, with several long setae along ventral margin, dorsal setae shorter than inner ones; flagellum relatively short, consisting of 13 articles, covered with tiny setae; length ratio of peduncular articles 4 / 5 about 1 / 1.13; flagellum about 0.65 × of length of peduncular articles 4 + 5.</p><p>Labrum (upper lip) (Fig. 5 a) typical.</p><p>Labium (lower lip) (Fig. 5 b): with entire, oblong oval outer lobes and well-developed smaller inner lobes.</p><p>Mandible (Fig. 5 c – f): Left mandible: incisor process with 5 teeth, lacinia mobilis with 4 teeth; with row of 8 serrated setae between lacinia and molar process (Fig. 5 d); mandibular palp with proximal article without setae, article 2 / 3 (distal) ratio close to 1 / 1.1; article II with 15 setae; distal article with group of 6 A-setae; 3 groups of B-setae; 28 D-setae and 6 E-setae (Fig. 5 c). Right mandible: incisor process with 4 teeth, lacinia mobilis bifurcate, with row of 8 serrated setae between lacinia and molar process (Fig. 5 f).</p><p>Maxilla I (Fig. 5 g): inner lobe with 3 distal setae, outer lobe with 7 robust spines (three lower spines with 1 strong lateral tooth each (0–0 – 0 – 0 – 1 – 1 – 1) (Fig. 5 h)); palp 2 - articulated, distal article with 7 simple setae distally.</p><p>Maxilla II (Fig. 5 i): both plates with numerous long distal simple setae, outer lobe with row of fine setae along outer margin.</p><p>Maxilliped (Fig. 5 j): inner plate short, with 4 distal robust setae intermixed with 5 distal simple setae; outer plate reaching half of palpal article II and bearing row of 15 distolateral spines and distal setae; palpal article III with 1 median and 1 distal bunch of setae at outer margin; palpal article IV with 1 median seta at outer margin; nail shorter than pedestal, with 1 small seta near basis.</p><p>Gnathopod I (Fig. 4 d): basis stout, with medial part swollen and expanded, with long simple setae along anteriorly, posterior and posterodistal margins; ischium about as long as wide, with group of posterodistal setae; merus subquadrate, equal to ischium, with tuft of posterodistal setae; carpus rectangular, about 1.6 ' as long as wide, about 0.57 ' of length of basis and 0.68 ' of length of propodus, with distal group of setae anteriorly, transverse rows of setae along posterior margin and row of setae posterolaterally; propodus (palm) subtrapezoidal, close to triangular in shape, with anterior margin longer than posterior, setose, with 6 rows of setae at posterior margin, anterior surface with 2 groups of total 5–6 setae and anterodistal group of 5–6 setae, several groups of short setae on inner surface, palmar corner (Fig. 4 e) armed with 1 long spiniform palmar seta, 3 serrated spiniform setae, and 1 supporting spiniform seta on inner surface; dactylus with 11 setae along anterior margin, some of which grouped in pairs, and with row of short setae along inner surface; length of nail about 0.38 ' of total length of dactylus.</p><p>Gnathopod II (Fig. 4 f): basis elongated, non-swollen, with width / length ratio close to 0.30 / 1, with long simple setae along anteriorly, posterior and posterodistal margins; ischium about as long as wide, with group of posterodistal setae; merus subquadrate, slightly larger than ischium, with tuft of posterodistal setae; carpus rectangular, about 0.54 ' of length of basis and 0.72 ' of length of propodus, with distal group of setae anteriorly, few transverse rows of setae along posterior margin and row of setae posterolaterally; propodus (palm) subtrapezoidal, close to triangular in shape, with anterior margin longer than posterior, setose, larger than propodus (palm) of GnI (GnI / II ratio approximately 0.88 / 1), posterior margin with 7 rows of setae, anterior surface with 2 groups of total 5–6 setae and anterodistal group of 5–6 setae, several groups of short setae on inner surface, palmar corner (Fig. 4 g) with 1 strong palmar spiniform seta, 1 supporting stout spiniform seta on inner surface and 3 denticulated thick spiniform setae on outer side; dactylus with 8 setae along anterior surface, some of which grouped in pairs and few short setae along inner surface; length of nail about 0.34 ' of total length of dactylus.</p><p>Pereopods III – IV (Fig. 6 a, c) almost similar in size and shape; basis about 4.0 ' – 4.2 ' as long as wide, slightly swollen distally, with posterior margin bearing long marginal and distoventral group of setae; ischium short, subquadrate, about as long as wide, with distoventral group of setae; merus about 4.2 ' – 4.7 ' as long as wide, with slender simple setae along anterior and posterior surfaces; carpus relatively short, about 3.7 ' – 4.0 ' longer than wide; carpus / propodus ratio close to 0.90–0.94 / 1; propodus about 5 ' longer than wide, with 4 groups of spines along ventral margin; dactylus (Fig. 6 b) relatively stout, curved, sharp distally, with 1 small posterior median spine and 1 median short plumose seta at outer margin; length of nail about 0.8 ' of total length of dactylus.</p><p>Pereopods V – VII (Fig. 6 e, g, i): length ratio of pereopod V / VI / VII close to 1 / 1.64 / 1.50; length of pereopod VII about 40 % of total body length.</p><p>Pereopod V (Fig. 6 e): basis almost rectangular, with length / width ratio about 1 / 0.59, posterior margin almost straight with row of 12 slender marginal setae, with explicit posteroventral lobe, anterior margin convex, with row of 6 slender marginal setae and couple of setae in distal part; ischium subquadrate, about as long as wide; merus about 2.9 ' as long as wide, with 2 slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; carpus about 4.5 ' as long as wide, longer than merus, with straight margins, with 2–3 bunches of slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; propodus slender, 7.7 ' as long as wide, slightly longer than carpus, with several bunches of short spines; dactylus (Fig. 6 f) with 1 small additional posterior median spine and 1 median short plumose seta at outer margin.</p><p>Pereopod VI (Fig. 6 g): basis almost rectangular, with length / width ratio about 1 / 0.50, posterior margin almost straight with row of 12 slender marginal setae, with explicit posteroventral lobe, anterior margin convex, with row of 5 slender marginal setae and couple of setae in distal part; ischium subquadrate, about as long as wide; merus about 3.2 ' as long as wide, with 2–3 slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; carpus about 5.3 ' as long as wide, longer than merus, with straight margins, with 2–3 bunches of slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; propodus slender, 8.0 ' as long as wide, almost equal to carpus, with several bunches of short spines; dactylus (Fig. 6 h) with 1 small additional posterior median spine and 1 median short plumose seta at outer margin.</p><p>Pereopod VII (Fig. 6 i): basis almost rectangular, with length / width ratio about 1 / 0.52, posterior margin almost straight with row of 12 slender marginal setae, with explicit posteroventral lobe, anterior margin convex, with row of 5 slender marginal setae and couple of setae in distal part; ischium subquadrate, about as long as wide; merus about 2.9 ' as long as wide, with 2–3 slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; carpus about 5.5 ' as long as wide, longer than merus, with straight margins, with 2–3 bunches of slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; propodus slender, 9.0 ' as long as wide, longer than carpus, with several bunches of short spines; dactylus (Fig. 6 j) with 1 small additional posterior median spine and 1 median short plumose seta at outer margin.</p><p>Pleopods: pleopods I and II (Fig. 7 i) with basal segments without setae, with 2 coupling hooks in retinacula each, outer and inner rami with 14 and 14 segments, respectively; pleopod III with basal segment bearing 2–3 long simple setae, with 2 coupling hooks accompanied by 1 short simple seta in retinacula (Fig. 7 j); outer and inner rami with 12 and 13 segments, respectively.</p><p>Uropod I (Fig. 7 k): protopodite about 5.0 ' longer than wide, longer than rami, with dorsoexternal row of 9 spiniform setae and dorsointernal row of 4 thin spiniform setae; length ratio of protopodite / endopodite / exopodite about 1 / 0.83 / 0.52; endopodite elongated, not paddle-like, about 1.7 ' longer than exopodite in males, with 4 dorsal spines, 2 dorsolateral spines accompanied by groups of long bristles and 3 apical spines accompanied by group of 7–8 bristles; exopodite with 2 dorsal single spines, 3 dorsolateral spines, accompanied by groups of long bristles and 4 apical spines.</p><p>Uropod II (Fig. 7 m): protopodite about 3.1 ' as long as wide; length ratio of protopodite / endopodite / exopodite close to 1 / 0.88 / 0.68; rami with dorsal, lateral and apical slender spines: endopodite with 2 dorsal, 2 dorsolateral and 2 apical spines; exopodite with 2 dorsal, 2 dorsolateral and 5 apical spines.</p><p>Uropod III (Fig. 7 o): protopodite 2.0 ' as long as wide, with 1 small external seta, 3–4 small internal setae, and 3–4 apical spiniform setae; rami unequal, endopodite short, about 9 ' shorter than exopodite, with 2 groups of small setae laterally and 5 setae apically; distal article of exopodite about 16 ' – 17 ' longer than wide, 0.82 ' of length of proximal article, with 5 groups of clusters of short setae along each margin and group of simple setae apically; proximal article about 10.7 ' – 11.0 ' longer than wide, with 5–6 groups of short spiniform setae along inner and outer margins.</p><p>Telson (Fig. 7 g) narrowing apically, length / width ratio close to 1 / 0.86–0.90; cleft about 0.70 ' of length of telson; margins convex, weakly rounded, with 3 medium-sized distal spines on each lobe and 1–2 lateral spines, accompanied by 2 plumose setae on each side, with 1 inner subdistal spine on each lobe, dorsal surface with 0–1 small or medium submarginal spine on each side and 0–1 small mesial setae; apical spines about 0.23 ' – 0.28 ' of length of telson.</p><p>Female. Smaller than males in size, with stouter body, and well seen eggs in marsupium (see Fig. 3). The main differences from male are in structure of uropods I and III. Uropod I (Fig. 7 l): protopodite about 4.0 ' – 4.2 ' longer than wide, slightly longer or equal to rami, with dorsoexternal row of 7 spiniform setae and dorsointernal row of 3 thin spiniform setae; length ratio of protopodite / endopodite / exopodite about 1 / 0.76 / 0.65; endopodite not paddle-like, about 7.2 ' longer than wide, with 3 single dorsal spines, 4–5 dorsolateral spines accompanied by groups of long bristles and 5 apical spines; exopodite with 4 dorsal singles spines, 3 dorsolateral spines, accompanied by groups of long bristles and 5 apical spines. Uropod III (Fig. 7 p): protopodite 1.7 ' as long as wide, with 1 spiniform seta laterally and 5–6 spiniform setae apically; rami unequal, endopodite short, about 9.0 ' shorter than exopodite, with 1 seta laterally and 2–3 spiniform setae apically; distal article of exopodite about 5.0 ' as long as wide, about 0.4 ' of length of proximal article, with 2 groups of thin – flexible setae along each margin and group of simple setae apically; proximal article about 7.3 ' longer than wide, with 4–5 groups of spiniform setae along outer and inner margins.</p><p>Size.</p><p>Males are larger than females (see Fig. 3 a). The largest male reached 12.0 mm (total length); the largest female was 9.5 mm (total length).</p><p>Genbank (NCBI) accession numbers.</p><p>PZ 831227, PZ 831228 (Alma) and PZ 831229, PZ 831230 (Bodrak).</p><p>Ecology.</p><p>Individuals of Niphargus almensis sp. nov. were collected in the hyporheic habitats of the middle section of the riverbed of the Alma River at an elevation between 180 and 240 meters above sea level (see Fig. 1), where there is permanent water flow present throughout the year. Most niphargids were collected from small to medium-sized pebble deposits that accumulate in the riverbed, forming a layer up to 50–100 centimeters thick. To collect amphipods, deep pits (pools) were dug, which were quickly filled with water, flushing amphipods out of their hyporheic habitats. Several individuals were found under large boulders, likely forming cavities where niphargids could live for an extended period. In some studied localities, the density of Niphargus almensis sp. nov. was up to 20–30 inds / dm 2 (10 × 10 cm, or 0.01 m 2), on average, indicating a relatively high density of these amphipods within this section of the river. No significant spring outflows were observed in the river, indicating a clear connection between the niphargid and hyporheic biotopes in the river. There is an artificial water reservoir in the upper part of the river, and even higher up the riverbed is dominated by monolithic rock with no pronounced hyporheic habitats. In the lower reaches of the Alma River and its tributary, Bodrak River, the flow of water in the river tends to dry out during the hottest months of the year (July – August), although some water flow may persist in the lower hyporheic layers such as river pebble beds that can reach depths of 100 centimeters or more. Fish species such as goldfish ( Squalius cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) and crustaceans such as Gammarus sp. ( Amphipoda, Gammaridae) and Asellus cf. aquaticus (Linnaeus, 1758) ( Isopoda, Asellidae) were also found in this area. Niphargids have never been observed interacting with gammarids, and we assume they have trophic competition, or Gammarus may feed on more vulnerable niphargids. The water temperature was around 12–14 ° C, but we expect they can tolerate much colder temperatures during the winter.</p><p>Distribution.</p><p>The riverine hyporheic species that live in the underground waters of the Alma River (including its tributary, the Bodrak River). It is probably endemic to this river system, living in gravel and pebble biotopes of the bottom of these rivers (Fig. 3 b – d). In our study, we found the species only in the upper and middle parts of the Alma and Bodrak rivers, where there is water all year round. We did not find it in the lower parts of the Alma River after it meets with the Bodrak River. This may be because this part of the river becomes dry in the hot and rainless summer period. It is also possible that the species can inhabit the deeper underground waters there.</p><p>Taxonomic remarks.</p><p>According to the presented molecular genetic analysis (Fig. 2), Niphargus almensis sp. nov. is closely related to N. tarkhankuticus, known from groundwater and wells of the Tarkhankut Upland (see Marin et al. 2022). However, the species could be separated by: 1) well seen yellow eyes and anterior spot on head (see Fig. 3 a) (vs. absent (see Marin et al. 2022: fig. 2 A); 2) the presence of 2 spines along ventral margin of epimeral plate III (Fig. 7 c) (vs. 3 spines (see Marin et al. 2022: fig. 6 c)); 3) more elongated telson (see Fig. 7 g); 4) shorter rami of uropod I (see Fig. 7 k); and 5) stouter articles of exopod of uropod III in males (see Fig. 7 o).</p><p>From N. primoricus (see Marin and Palatov 2025 c), the new species can be separated by 1) shorter basal article of antennular accessory flagellum, which is about twice longer than distal article (Fig. 4 b) (vs. about 2.7 ' – 3.0 ' longer (see Marin and Palatov 2025 c: fig. 2 b)); 2) more oblique palmar margin and palm of GnII close to triangular in shape (see Fig. 4 f); 3) upper maxillary spines without additional spines (see Fig. 5 h); 3) convex posterior margin of epimeral plate II (see Fig. 7 b) (vs. mostly straight (see Marin and Palatov 2025 c: fig. 6 c, d)); 4) convex posterior margin of epimeral plate III (Fig. 11 c, d) (vs. concave (see Marin and Palatov 2025 с: fig. 6 e, j)); 5) shorter rami of uropod II in males and females, which are mostly equal to peduncle (Fig. 7 m, n) (vs. longer than peduncle (see Marin and Palatov 2025 c: fig. 6 m, n)); and 6) relatively shorter distal exopodal article of uropod III in males and females (see Fig. 7 o, p).</p><p>For the differences from related Niphargus uchansi sp. nov. see below.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/713901F9CEE75D2C93224A253ADDBAB9	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Pensoft via Plazi	Marin, Ivan;Palatov, Dmitry	Marin, Ivan, Palatov, Dmitry (2026): First insights into the hyporheic crustaceans of the mountainous rivers of the Crimean Peninsula, with the description of two new species of the genus Niphargus Schiödte, 1849 (Malacostraca, Amphipoda, Niphargidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution 102 (5): 1177-1202, DOI: 10.3897/zse.102.206462
F629596244FF5BF7BB5D5C70D3C5BF10.text	F629596244FF5BF7BB5D5C70D3C5BF10.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Niphargus uchansi Marin & Palatov 2026	<div><p>Niphargus uchansi Marin &amp; Palatov sp. nov.</p><p>Figs 9, 10, 11, 12</p><p>Material examined.</p><p>Holotype • male (bl. 11.5 mm) (ZMMU Mb-1319) – Crimean Peninsula, Yalta region, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=34.163086&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=44.489307" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 34.163086/lat 44.489307)">Yalta, the mouth of the Uchan-Su River</a>, a few meters from the confluence with the sea, under large rocks, 44°29'21.5"N, 034°09'47.1"E, hand net sampling, coll. I. Marin, 30. 07. 2025 . Paratype female (bl. 8.5 mm) (ZMMU Mb-1320) – same locality and data as for holotype .</p><p>Etymology.</p><p>The new species is named after the Uchan-Su River (Uçan Suv), a river running along the Southern coast of the Crimean Peninsula, where it was discovered.</p><p>Diagnosis.</p><p>Head with small yellow eyes and feebly developed pigmented spots on anterior lobe. Posteroventral corners of epimeral plates I – III rounded. Urosomite I with 1 long simple seta on each side dorsolaterally; urosomite II with 2 simple strong spines each side dorsolaterally; urosomite III unarmed. Palm of gnathopods I and II close to triangular, with oblique palmar margins, and dorsal width larger than lower; dactylus with numerous simple setae along outer margin. Dactyli of ambulatory pereopods III – VII with 1 small additional median spine and 1 median short plumose seta at outer margin. Rami of uropod I unequal in size: endopodite about 1.7 ' – 1.8 ' longer than exopodite in males and slightly longer in females, with tufts of marked long curved setae in both sexes. Rami of uropod III differ in males and females; significantly longer in males, with distal article slightly shorter than proximal. Retinacula of pleopods with 2 hooks. Telson with 3 medium-sized distal spines on each lobe and 1–2 lateral spines, accompanied by 2 small plumose setae, and with 1–2 small submarginal inner spines on each lobe, with 0–1 small mesial seta on its dorsal surface.</p><p>Description.</p><p>Holotype male. Body moderately slender, but strong and non-stygomorphic, slightly yellowish or whitish in coloration.</p><p>Head: approximately 7.5 % of body length; with small yellow eyes and feebly developed pigmented spots on anterior lobe, with bluntly produced anteroventral lobe and excavated anteroventral sinus.</p><p>Pereon: pereonites I – VII smooth, without spines or teeth, with tiny setae.</p><p>Pleosoma: pleonites I – III with several short marginal setae on each posterodorsal margin.</p><p>Epimeral plates: posteroventral corners of epimeral plates I – III rounded. Epimeral plate I (Fig. 12 a): posterior margin convex, ventral margin almost straight or slightly concave; without spines along ventral margin; with 6–7 setae along posterior margin; posteroventral angle with 1 strong seta. Epimeral plate II (Fig. 12 c): posterior and ventral margin convex; with 2 spiniform setae along ventral margin; with 7–8 small setae along posterior margin; posteroventral angle with 1 strong seta. Epimeral plate III (Fig. 12 e): posterior and ventral margins slightly convex; ventral margin with 2 spiniform setae along ventral margin; with 6–9 small setae along posterior margin.</p><p>Urosomites: urosomite I with 1 long simple seta on each side dorsolaterally; urosomite II with 2 simple strong spines on each side dorsolaterally (Fig. 9 e); urosomite III unarmed.</p><p>Coxae: coxal plate I (Fig. 9 a) irregular oblong oval, with rounded anteroventral margin, armed with 7 setae; width / depth ratio of coxal plate I about 1 / 1.45; width / depth ratio of coxal plates II – IV about 1 / 1.12, 1 / 1.30 and 1 / 1.08, respectively; anterior and ventral margins of coxal plate II with 9 setae (Fig. 9 c) and coxal plates III – IV with 10–12 setae each (Fig. 10 a, c); with rounded anteroventral corners; coxal plates V – VI (Fig. 10 e) with large lobes anteriorly, bearing 6 setae and 1 seta, respectively; posterior margins with 2–3 and 2 setae, respectively; coxal plate VII (Fig. 9 h) semicircular and with 1 seta on posterior lobe; coxal gills II – VI ovoid of which II and VI more elongated, length ratio of gills / bases of pereopods close to 0.85 / 1, 0.70 / 1, 0.63 / 1, 0.86 / 1 and 0.70 / 1, respectively.</p><p>Antenna I: slender, about 48 % – 50 % of body length; peduncular articles moderately slender, with ratio close to 1 / 0.79 / 0.37; flagellum with 25–27 articles, most of them with two short aesthetascs each; accessory flagellum short, two-articulated, with distal article about twice shorter than proximal.</p><p>Antenna II: peduncular articles moderately stout, with several long setae along ventral margin, dorsal setae shorter than inner ones; flagellum relatively short, consisting of 12 articles, covered with tiny setae; length ratio of peduncular articles 4 / 5 about 1 / 0.93; flagellum about 0.45 ' – 0.63 ' of length of peduncular articles 4 + 5.</p><p>Labrum (upper lip) typical (Fig. 10 a).</p><p>Labium (lower lip) (Fig. 10 b): with entire, oblong oval outer lobes and well-developed smaller inner lobes.</p><p>Mandible (Fig. 10 c – f): Left mandible: incisor process with 4 teeth, lacinia mobilis with 4 teeth; with row of 10 serrated setae between lacinia and molar process; mandibular palp with proximal article without setae, article 2 / 3 (distal) ratio close to 1 / 0.98–1; article II with 14 setae; distal article with group of 7 A-setae; 3 groups of B-setae; 27 D-setae and 6 E-setae. Right mandible: incisor process with 4 teeth, lacinia mobilis bifurcate, with row of 8 serrated setae between lacinia and molar process.</p><p>Maxilla I (Fig. 10 g): inner lobe with 3 distal setae, outer lobe with 7 robust spines (three lower spines with 1 strong lateral tooth each (0–1 – 1 – 1 – 2 – 1 – 3)) (Fig. 10 h); palp 2 - articulated, distal article with 5 simple setae distally.</p><p>Maxilla II (Fig. 10 i): both plates with numerous long distal simple setae, outer lobe with row of fine setae along outer margin.</p><p>Maxilliped (Fig. 10 j): inner plate short, with 3 distal robust setae intermixed with 9 distal simple setae; outer plate reaching half of palpal article II and bearing row of 16 distolateral spines and distal setae; palpal article III with 1 median and 1 distal bunch of setae at outer margin; palpal article IV with 1 median seta at outer margin; nail shorter than pedestal, with 1 small seta near basis.</p><p>Gnathopod I (Fig. 9 a): basis stout, with medial part swollen and expanded, with long simple setae along anteriorly, posterior and posterodistal margins; ischium about as long as wide, with group of posterodistal setae; merus subquadrate, equal to ischium, with tuft of posterodistal setae; carpus rectangular, about 1.6 ' as long as wide, about 0.62 ' of length of basis and 0.67 ' of length of propodus, with distal group of setae anteriorly, transverse rows of setae along posterior margin and row of setae posterolaterally; propodus (palm) subtrapezoidal, close to triangular in shape, with anterior margin longer than posterior, setose, with 7 rows of setae at posterior margin, anterior surface with 2 groups of total 5–6 setae and anterodistal group of 5–6 setae, several groups of short setae on inner surface, palmar corner armed with 1 long spiniform palmar seta, 3 serrated spiniform setae, and 1 supporting spiniform seta on inner surface; dactylus with 10 setae along anterior margin, some of which grouped in pairs, and with row of short setae along inner surface; length of nail about 0.32 ' of total length of dactylus.</p><p>Gnathopod II (Fig. 9 c): basis elongated, non-swollen, with width / length ratio close to 0.33 / 1, with long simple setae along anteriorly, posterior and posterodistal margins; ischium about as long as wide, with group of posterodistal setae; merus subquadrate, slightly larger than ischium, with tuft of posterodistal setae; carpus rectangular, about 0.55 ' of length of basis and 0.73 ' of length of propodus, with distal group of setae anteriorly, few transverse rows of setae along posterior margin and row of setae posterolaterally; propodus (palm) subtrapezoidal, close to triangular in shape, with anterior margin longer than posterior, setose, larger than propodus (palm) of GnI (GnI / II ratio about 0.9 / 1), posterior margin with 8 rows of setae, anterior surface with 2 groups of total 5–6 setae and anterodistal group of 5–6 setae, several groups of short setae on inner surface, palmar corner with 1 strong palmar spiniform seta, 1 supporting stout spiniform seta on inner surface and 3 denticulated thick spiniform setae on outer side; dactylus with 8 setae along anterior surface, some of which grouped in pairs and few short setae along inner surface; length of nail about 0.32 ' of total length of dactylus.</p><p>Pereopods III – IV (Fig. 11 a, c) almost similar in size and shape; basis about 3.8 ' – 4.0 ' as long as wide, slightly swollen distally, with posterior margin bearing long marginal and distoventral group of setae; ischium short, subquadrate, about as long as wide, with distoventral group of setae; merus about 4.0 ' – 4.4 ' as long as wide, with slender simple setae along anterior and posterior surfaces; carpus relatively short, about 3.6 ' – 3.8 ' longer than wide; carpus / propodus ratio close to 1.03–1 / 1; propodus about 5.0 ' longer than wide, with 4 groups of spines along ventral margin; dactylus (Fig. 11 b) relatively stout, curved, sharp distally, with 1 small posterior median spine and 1 median short plumose seta at outer margin; length of nail about 0.75 ' of total length of dactylus.</p><p>Pereopods V – VII (Fig. 11 d, e, g): length ratio of pereopod V / VI / VII close to 1 / 1.32 / 1.45; length of pereopod VII about 40 % of total body length.</p><p>Pereopod V (Fig. 11 d): basis almost rectangular, with length / width ratio about 1 / 0.63, posterior margin almost straight with row of 12 slender marginal setae, with explicit posteroventral lobe, anterior margin convex, with row of 6 slender marginal setae and couple of setae in distal part; ischium subquadrate, about as long as wide; merus about 2.9 ' as long as wide, with 2–3 slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; carpus about 4.6 ' as long as wide, longer than merus, with straight margins, with 2–3 bunches of slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; propodus slender, 7.0 ' as long as wide, slightly longer than carpus, with several bunches of short spines; dactylus (Fig. 11 e) with 1 small additional posterior median spine and 1 median short plumose seta at outer margin.</p><p>Pereopod VI (Fig. 11 f): basis almost rectangular, with length / width ratio about 1 / 0.61, posterior margin almost straight with row of 13 slender marginal setae, with explicit posteroventral lobe, anterior margin convex, with row of 7 slender marginal setae and couple of setae in distal part; ischium subquadrate, about as long as wide; merus about 3.1 ' as long as wide, with 2–3 slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; carpus about 5.3 ' as long as wide, longer than merus, with straight margins, with 2–3 bunches of slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; propodus slender, about 7.0 ' – 7.3 ' as long as wide, almost equal to carpus, with several bunches of short spines; dactylus (Fig. 11 g) with 1 small additional posterior median spine and 1 median short plumose seta at outer margin.</p><p>Pereopod VII (Fig. 11 h): basis almost rectangular, with length / width ratio about 1 / 0.57, posterior margin almost straight with row of 12 slender marginal setae, with explicit posteroventral lobe, anterior margin convex, with row of 4 slender marginal setae and couple of setae in distal part; ischium subquadrate, about as long as wide; merus about 3.2 ' as long as wide, with 2–3 slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; carpus about 5.4 ' as long as wide, longer than merus, with straight margins, with 2–3 bunches of slender spines along anterior and posterior margins; propodus slender, 7.9 ' – 8.1 ' as long as wide, longer than carpus, with several bunches of short spines; dactylus (Fig. 10 i) with 1 small additional posterior median spine and 1 median short plumose seta at outer margin.</p><p>Pleopods: pleopods I and II with basal segments without setae, with 2 coupling hooks in retinacula each, outer and inner rami with 15 and 16 segments, respectively; pleopod III with basal segment bearing 2–3 long simple setae, with 2 coupling hooks in retinacula (Fig. 9 h); outer and inner rami with 11 and 12 segments, respectively.</p><p>Uropod I (Fig. 12 g): protopodite about 4.2 ' – 4.5 ' longer than wide, longer than rami, with dorsoexternal row of 7 spiniform setae and dorsointernal row of 4 thin spiniform setae; length ratio of protopodite / endopodite / exopodite about 1 / 0.97 / 0.58; endopodite elongated, not paddle-like, about 1.72 ' longer than exopodite in males, with 2 single dorsal spine, 2 dorsolateral spines accompanied by groups of long bristles and 4 apical spines; exopodite with 3 dorsal singles spines, 2 dorsolateral spines, accompanied by groups of long bristles and 4 apical spines.</p><p>Uropod II (Fig. 12 i): protopodite about 2.7 ' as long as wide; length ratio of protopodite / endopodite / exopodite close to 1 / 0.78 / 1.06; rami with dorsal, lateral and apical slender spines: endopodite with 2 dorsal, 3 dorsolateral and 5 apical spines; exopodite with 2 dorsal, 2 dorsolateral and 4–5 apical spines.</p><p>Uropod III (Fig. 12 k): protopodite 2.1 ' as long as wide, with 4 small external setae, 2 small internal setae, and 3–4 apical spiniform setae; rami unequal, endopodite short, about 11 ' – 12 ' shorter than exopodite, with 3 small setae laterally and 4 setae apically; distal article about 11 ' longer than wide, 0.90 ' of length of proximal article, with 5 groups of clusters of short setae along each margin and group of simple setae apically; proximal article about 8.5 ' longer than wide, with 5–6 groups of short spiniform setae along inner and outer margins.</p><p>Telson (Fig. 9 f, g) narrowing apically, length / width ratio close to 1 / 0.90; cleft about 0.68 of length of telson; margins convex, weakly rounded, with 3 medium-sized distal spines on each lobe and 2 lateral spines, accompanied by 2 plumose setae on each side, with 2 inner subdistal spine on each lobe, dorsal surface with 1 small or medium submarginal spine on each side and 2 small mesial setae; apical spines about 0.18 ' – 0.20 ' of length of telson.</p><p>Female. The main differences from male are in structure of uropod I and III. Uropod I (Fig. 12 h): protopodite about 4.4 ' longer than wide, slightly longer or equal to rami, with dorsoexternal row of 8 spiniform setae and dorsointernal row of 4 thin spiniform setae; length ratio of protopodite / endopodite / exopodite about 1 / 0.80 / 0.78; endopodite not paddle-like, about 7.3 ' longer than wide, with 2 single dorsal spine, 3 dorsolateral spines accompanied by groups of long bristles and 5 apical spines; exopodite with 2 dorsal singles spines, 3 dorsolateral spines, accompanied by groups of long bristles and 5 apical spines. Uropod III (Fig. 12 l): protopodite 1.4 ' as long as wide, with 1 spiniform seta laterally and 5–6 spiniform setae apically; rami unequal, endopodite short, about 6.6 ' shorter than exopodite, with 1 tiny seta laterally and 2 spiniform setae apically; distal article about 3.7 ' as long as wide, about 0.36 ' of length of proximal article, with 3 groups of thin – flexible setae along each margin and group of simple setae apically; proximal article about 6 ' longer than wide, with 6 groups of spiniform setae along outer and inner margins.</p><p>Size.</p><p>The largest male reached 11.0 mm (total length); the largest female was 8.5 mm (total length).</p><p>Genbank (NCBI) accession numbers.</p><p>PZ 831231, PZ 831232.</p><p>Ecology.</p><p>Individuals of Niphargus uchansi sp. nov. were collected in the hyporheic biotopes in the lowest part of the riverbed, approximately 2–3 meters from the sea. Both individuals were found under large boulders, where cavities had probably formed in which the niphargids lived. The layer of pebbles (hyporheic biotopes) was rather weakly presented here, and we could not find any other niphargids or other crustaceans in the local pebbles. The water temperature was approximately 8–10 ° C.</p><p>Distribution.</p><p>The riverine species that was found in the hyporheic habitats of the Uchan-Su River close to its confluence with the Black Sea. It is very likely that the species lives in the lower reaches of the river, in hyporheic biotopes of the gravel / pebble riverbed.</p><p>Taxonomic remarks.</p><p>According to the presented molecular genetic analysis (Fig. 2), Niphargus uchansi sp. nov. is closely related to N. tarkhankuticus, known from groundwater and wells of the Tarkhankut Upland (see Marin et al. 2022). However, the species could be separated by: 1) well seen yellow eyes and anterior spot on head (vs. absent (see Marin et al. 2022: fig. 2 A); 2) more elongated telson (see Fig. 9 f, g), with 2 inner spines on each lobe (vs. only 0–1 spine (see Marin et al. 2022: fig. 6 f, g); 3 shorter rami of uropod I (see Fig. 12 g); and 4) stouter articles of exopod of uropod III in males (see Fig. 12 k).</p><p>From Niphargus almensis sp. nov. (see above), the new species can be separated by 1) epimeral plate III with 3 spiniform setae along ventral margin (see Fig. 11 e, f); 2) the presence of 2 inner spines on each lobe of telson (see Fig. 9 f, g) (vs. only 1 spine); and 3) relatively longer articles of uropod III in males (see 11 k).</p><p>From N. primoricus (see Marin and Palatov 2025 c), the new species can be separated by 1) shorter basal article of antennular accessory flagellum, which is about 2.0 × longer than distal article (vs. about 2.7 × – 3.0 ' longer (see Marin and Palatov 2025 c: fig. 2 b)); 2) more oblique palmar margin and palm of GnII close to triangular in shape (see Fig. 9 c, d); 3) upper maxillary spines without additional spines; 4) slightly convex posterior margin of epimeral plate II (see Fig. 12 c, d) (vs. strongly convex (see Marin and Palatov 2025 c: fig. 6 e, j)); 5) convex posterior margin of epimeral plate III (Fig. 12 e, f) (vs. concave (see Marin and Palatov 2025 с: fig. 6 c, d)); 6) shorter rami of uropod II in males and females, which are mostly equal to peduncle (Fig. 11 i, j) (vs. longer than peduncle (see Marin and Palatov 2025 c: fig. 6 m, n)); and 7) relatively shorter distal exopodal article of uropod III in males and females (see Fig. 11 k, l).</p><p>ZooBank taxon ID.</p><p>The electronic version of this article in Portable Document Format will represent a published work according to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), and hence the new names contained in the electronic version are effectively published under that Code from the electronic edition alone. This published work and the nomenclatural acts it contains have been registered in ZooBank, the online registration system for the ICZN. The ZooBank Life Science Identifier (LSID) for this publication is: https://zoobank.org/ A04CB0CE-D943-466B-94F1-662015F1C16B. The online version of this work is archived and available from the following digital repositories: Zoosystematics and Evolution, PubMed Central, CLOCKSS and others. The LSID for the newly described species, for Niphargus almensis sp. nov. is https://zoobank.org/ AD0713B3-B2DA-4229-983A-38858BF1F9B3 and for Niphargus uchansi sp. nov. is https://zoobank.org/ 4E73D130-6BB5-4386-806E-1D9B3AA77406.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/F629596244FF5BF7BB5D5C70D3C5BF10	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Pensoft via Plazi	Marin, Ivan;Palatov, Dmitry	Marin, Ivan, Palatov, Dmitry (2026): First insights into the hyporheic crustaceans of the mountainous rivers of the Crimean Peninsula, with the description of two new species of the genus Niphargus Schiödte, 1849 (Malacostraca, Amphipoda, Niphargidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution 102 (5): 1177-1202, DOI: 10.3897/zse.102.206462
