Halil IbrahimiUniversity of Prishtina · Department of Biology
Halil Ibrahimi
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Publications (169)
Background
The Western Balkans are an important hotspot of caddisfly diversity in Europe, with several microscale endemics, many of which were discovered during the recent years. The genus Potamophylax Wallengren, 1891 likely originated and diversified in Europe, with the Balkan Peninsula being one of the most important diversity hotspots.
New inf...
The caddisfly fauna of North Africa and Morocco is still poorly known, with only a few historical and recent investigations, carried out sporadically. In this paper we describe a new species, Tinodes atlasensis Ibrahimi, Mabrouki & Taybi, sp. nov. from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The new species is closest to Tinodes baenai Gonzales & Otero, 19...
The caddisfly fauna of the Kurdistan Province in Iran is poorly known, with only a few reported species until now. In this paper, we describe a new species, Hydropsyche kurdistanica Ibrahimi and Mohammadi sp. n. from the Zagros Mountains in Kurdistan. Males of the new species are most close to H. delamarei (Jacquemart, 1965 Jacquemart, S. (1965), ‘...
Background
The Sharr Mountains are one of the most important hotspots of terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity in the Balkan Peninsula, with many endemic and rare species. The caddisfly studies in this area increased during the past years, although insufficiently investigated areas still remain.
New information
In this paper, we describe a new s...
In this study, we describe Paracricotopus davoodi sp. nov., a new Orthocladiinae, and report on eight new faunistic records from Iran, further extending their distribution within the Palearctic realm. Along with describing a new species, we provide a key for the adult males and immatures of the genus Paracricotopus Brundin, 1956. We conducted this...
As part of our continuous investigation into the biodiversity of Chironomidae of Iran, we expanded our collection area to the Elburz Mountains and the Central Iranian Range in East Azerbaijan and Kurdistan Provinces. As a result of this, we discovered and described Diamesa sahandensis sp. nov. and Sympotthastia golalae sp. nov., two new Diamesinae,...
This study evaluates the water quality of the Mirusha River in Kosovo through the analysis of macroinvertebrate communities. Measurements were taken across three seasons: spring, summer, and autumn-during the year 2023. Sampling was conducted in accordance with EN ISO 10870:2012 and EN 16150:2012 standards. Macroinvertebrates specimens were collect...
Adult true flies were collected from the Karadak Mountains (Kosovo and North Macedonia) between August and October 2017. During this investigation, we recorded two Diptera species from the Western Balkans for the first time. Sylvicola (Anisopus) stackelbergi Krivosheina & Menzel, 1998, was recorded in Bellanoc village, North Macedonia, while Ormosi...
This study presents the findings from three seasonal field surveys conducted in the Lepenc River and its tributaries during 2023. The surveys were carried out on 30-31 May, 17-18 July, and 16-17 October, focusing on six sampling sites: Prevallë, Lepenc (Kaçanik), Hani i Elezit, Jezerc, Gerlicë, and Nerodime (Kaçanik).
We used a standardized electro...
During 2023, a comprehensive entomological survey along Kosovo's Mirusha River
documented five Trichoptera species for the first time: Hydroptila lotensis Mosely, 1930, Hydroptila simulans Mosely, 1920, Hydroptila vectis Curtis, 1834, Oxyethira falcata Morton, 1893, and Lepidostoma hirtum (Fabricius, 1775). Standard entomological nets were used to...
During our investigation from 2018 to 2024, we collected Cerambycidae samples, leading to the identification of 11 species across 8 genera and 4 subfamilies. Our research has uncovered five previously undocumented species within the fauna of Kosovo: Prionus coriarius (Linnaeus, 1758), Cerambyx (Cerambyx) carinatus (Küster, 1845), Stenocorus (Stenoc...
The male and female genitalia of Mesophylax isly Ibrahimi, Taybi & Mabrouki sp. nov. (Limnephilidae) are described based on material collected from the Isly River in Morocco. The new species is most similar to Mesophylax aspersus hoggarensis Malicky 1988 known from Algeria, from which it differs in the formation of intermediate appendages, inferior...
We collected adult caddisflies during the period October 2016 - October 2017 in Brodec village in the Karadak Mountains in North Macedonia. We found 26 species in total, two of which are recorded for the first time from North Macedonia: Limnephilus auricula Curtis, 1834, and Limnephilus griseus (Linnaeus, 1758). The finding of these two species con...
We collected adult caddisflies during the period October 2016 - October 2017 in Brodec village in the Karadak Mountains in North Macedonia. We found 26 species in total, two of which are recorded for the first time from North Macedonia: Limnephilus auricula Curtis, 1834, and Limnephilus griseus (Linnaeus, 1758). The finding of these two species con...
The collection of stoneflies in Shar Mountain resulted with records of four species (Isoperla bosnica Aubert, 1964, Isoperla albanica Aubert, 1964, Nemoura uncinata Despax, 1934, Nemoura asceta Murányi, 2007) for this mountain massif. From the mentioned species Nemoura asceta Murányi, 2007 and Isoperla bosnica Aubert, 1964 are endemic species to th...
The collection of stoneflies in Shar Mountain resulted with records of four species (Isoperla bosnica Aubert, 1964, Isoperla albanica Aubert, 1964, Nemoura uncinata Despax, 1934, Nemoura asceta Murányi, 2007) for this mountain massif. From the mentioned species Nemoura asceta Murányi, 2007 and Isoperla bosnica Aubert, 1964 are endemic species to th...
In this paper, we provide additional data on the orb-weaver spider fauna (Araneae: Araneidae) of Kosovo. Three species are reported for the first time from this country: Araneus grossus (C.L. Koch, 1844), Argiope lobata (Pallas, 1772) and Cyclosa oculata (Walckenaer, 1802). In consideration of the findings and the updated checklist of Araneidae in...
Electrofishing surveys of 20 sites within the Ibër River and its tributaries in Kosovo (August 2023) collected 23 taxa (1674 individuals) through a standardized electrofishing protocol. Relevant physico-chemical measurements and anthropogenic pressures were collected and analyzed with respect to the ichthyological data of the surveyed sites. This r...
Caddisfly sampling conducted during 2023 in the Bistrica e Shalës River, belonging to the Ibër basin and in the Mirusha River, belonging to the Drini i Bardhë (White Drin) basin, revealed the first record of Stactobiella risi (Felber, 1908) for Kosovo and for Ecoregion 5 (Dinaric Western Balkans). Previously, this species had only been known from f...
In this paper we discuss the presence of three rare caddisfly species on the Macedonian part of Shar Mountain. Crunoecia bosniaca (Lepidostomatidae) and Drusus sharrensis, (Limnephilidae), are recorded for the first time in the country, while Tinodes kimminsi (Psychomyiidae) is reported for the first time on Shar Mountain. Detailed information abou...
Trichoptera is one of the most diverse orders of aquatic insects and important water quality indicators, due to their presence in almost all segments of freshwater ecosystems. Caddisflies of Europe and adjacent areas are represented by 132 genera and 1855 species up to date. The most species rich genera in Europe are Drusus, Rhyacophila, Hydropsych...
The freshwater ecosystems in Kosovo have undergone significant degradation in recent years due to various anthropogenic pressures, including sewage effluents, industrial discharge, water intakes, and riverbed degradation.
Consequently, the populations of freshwater biota, including bioindicators, have been heavily impacted by these activities. Thi...
the hitherto unknown larva of Setodes acutus Navás 1936 from the Aures region, Algeria, is described. the diagnostic features of the species are explained and illustrated, and morphological comparisons are made with Setodes argentipunctellus Mclachlan 1877, recently recorded from the region. In addition, a discriminatory matrix to the known Setodes...
Background
The Potamophylax winneguthi species cluster comprises species with limited distribution, currently documented from Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria.
New information
In this paper, we describe a new species, Potamophylax kosovaensis sp. nov., discovered in two tributaries of the Ibër River Basin, within the Kopaonik Mo...
Adult caddisfly specimens were collected from the Karadak Mountain in Kosovo along the border area with the Republic of North Macedonia during June 2020. Seven species belonging to seven caddisfly families were found. From this area, we report Hydroptila ivisa Malicky, 1972 for the first time for Kosovo and the Ecoregion 6, Hellenic Western Balkans...
Ky raport paraqet gjetjet e një studimi gjithëpërfshirës njëvjeçar mbi biodiversitetin e Lumit Mirusha dhe ekosistemeve përreth. Është studiuar edhe gjendja ekologjike e këtyre mjediseve të cilat janë nën ndikimin e presioneve të ndryshme, kryesisht antropogjene. Të gjeturat e këtij studimi tregojnë për një krizë urgjente mjedisore në Lumin Mirusha...
In this paper, we describe a new species of the Hydropsyche angustipennis species group, Hydropsyche nador sp. n., from Selouan and Bni Snassen areas in Morocco. The males of the new species are closest to those of Hydropsyche maroccana Navás, 1936 and H. resmineda Malicky, 1977 but differ from them mainly in the shape of the apical part of phallus...
The hitherto unknown female of Rhyacophila siparantum Ibrahimi, Bilalli & Kučinić, 2021 is described. In addition, some ecological notes about this rare species of Kosovo are provided. The female genitalia of R. siparantum are very similar to those of Rhyacophila hirticornis McLachlan, 1879 (known from numerous locations in Europe) and Rhyacophila...
A new species of the Drusinae subfamily, Drusus chelchamaensis Ibrahimi & Mohammadi sp. nov., is described based on male genital morphology. The male of the new species is most similar to that of Drusus bayburtii Çakin 1983 (known from several places in Anatolia, Turkey), Drusus ketes Oláh & Mey 2017 (in Oláh et al. 2017) (known from the Hamedan Pr...
This report underscores significant concerns regarding the environmental impact of hydropower plants (HPPs) in the Sharr Mountains National Park. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports for HPPs in Shtërpce Municipality are deemed inadequate, violating both Kosovo law and scientific standards. Notably, the absence of freshwater biodiversi...
This study reports the discovery of Corythucha arcuata (Say), a species previously unrecorded in the Republic of Kosovo. Nine individuals of this species were collected from an Oak tree during the investigation. The findings presented in this study enhance our knowledge of the distribution of C. arcuata within the Balkan region. This discovery unde...
Since Kosovo is the least explored territory in the Balkan Peninsula when it comes to the study of spider fauna, with large, untouched areas, we aim to explore it in detail. From Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains only 15 species have been reported. We collected and identified 323 spider specimens (88♂♂, 235♀♀) from April 2018 to August 2021 at 20 sites i...
The knowledge about stoneflies of the Balkan Peninsula is still not complete, with many areas poorly investigated. During this investigation, we collected adult stonefly specimens from Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro during the period 2014-2018. In total, we found 42 species belonging to 14 genera and 7 families. Five specie...
We studied during the past year the ecology, taxonomy and distribution of the
Potamophylax winneguthi species cluster in the Balkan Peninsula with the objective of understanding endemism patterns and relationship of different populations.
We collected adult specimens with light traps and entomological nets from different mountains of the Balkan P...
During the spring of 2023, a comprehensive study was conducted to explore
the caddisfly fauna within the Ibër River basin in Kosovo. Adult caddisfly
specimens were collected with ultraviolet light traps and entomological nets
in the 15 localities. Collected specimens were preserved in 80 % ethanol.
Ultraviolet light traps were left to operate f...
The knowledge about the caddisfly fauna of Kosovo has increased significantly during the past decade, with several new species described. However, less investigated areas remain. One such area that has only been sporadically investigated is the Ibër River basin in Kosovo. We collected caddisfly specimens in seven sampling stations in the Ibër River...
In this paper, we describe Athripsodes saral sp. n., a new species from the Kurdistan Province, Iran, which belongs to the A. sewangensis Species Group. The new species is morphologically most similar to Athripsodes caglari Sipahiler, 2008 from Turkey and Athripsodes sewangensis Martynov, 1925 from Armenia. However, it can be distinguished from all...
The conducted study aimed to investigate the quantity and composition of municipal waste deposited in landfills in the Peja District of Kosovo over the period of 2005–2021. The study covered four municipalities within the district: Peja, Klina, Istog, and Deçan. A total of 705,246.7 tons of waste were deposited during the analyzed period, with the...
Adult caddisflies were collected from the spring area located in the Blinajë Hunting Reserve in Kosovo between May and September 2022. In this study, we identified 21 species belonging to 9 families of caddisflies (Goeridae, Hydropsychidae, Hydroptilidae, Limnephilidae, Philopotamidae, Polycentropodidae, Psychomyiidae, Rhyacophilidae, and Sericosto...
Description Includes functions for calculating basic indices of macrozoobenthos for water quality and is designed to provide researchers and environmental professionals with a comprehensive tool for evaluating the ecological health of aquatic ecosystems.
In this paper, we present new faunistic data of the spider fauna from the Sharr Mountains (Kosovo), one of the least investigated areas in the Balkans.
Previously only 27 species of spiders were known from the Kosovo part of the Sharr Mountains but with this investigation, the number has increased to 74. Pictures of rare and interesting species are...
During August and September 2018 we collected the macroinvertebrate fauna in the Leqinat Lake, Kosovo.
The Leqinat lake (great lake) is a mountain lake found in the National Park “Bjeshkët e Nemuna” in western Kosovo, shared between Kosovo and Montenegro. Macrozoobenthos specimens were collected with D-frame net of 30×20 cm (600 cm2) diameter. Sam...
We investigated 11 pillbox bunkers in Dibër Municipality and one military tunnel near Tirana (Albania). We found 101 spider specimens belonging to 15 species, of which two species are reported for the first time from Albania: Leviellus thorelli (Ausserer, 1871) (Araneidae) and Meta bourneti Simon, 1922 (Tetragnathidae). This paper contributes new i...
In this paper, we report the first records of the harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773) from Republic of Kosovo as well as new records from Albania, Greece, Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia. So far, the species is reported from 25 localities in Kosovo (first record in 2013) and 13 localities all over Montenegro. H. axyri...
The Balkan mountain ranges represent the most diverse hot spots of the European biodiversity still very far from
being completely explored. Besides new faunistic data here we have described Drusus gornistok Oláh, sp. nov. in the D.
discophorus species complex, surveyed four species complexes and described Polycentropus maglic Oláh, sp. nov. , P....
The morphology of all postembryonic stages (larva, pupa, male, and female) of Rhyacophila macedonica Karaouzas, Valladolid, & Ibrahimi n. sp. from Greece, Republic of North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia was examined. Morphological data were supplemented by a molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) and compared wi...
In this paper, we describe a new species, Potamophylax idliri sp. nov., from the Jastrebac Mountains in Serbia, which is
morphologically most similar to Potamophylax coronavirus Ibrahimi, Bilalli & Vitecek 2021 (in Ibrahimi et al. 2021)
and Potamophylax juliani Kumanski 1999 (in Kumanski & Malicky 1999). The males of the new species differ from...
In this study we describe Rhyacophila siparantum sp. nov., a new species of the Rhyacophila philopotamoides species group from the Bjeshkët e Nemuna Mountains in Kosovo, based on morphological (male adults) and molecular (sequencing of the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI)) characteristics. The new species is morpholog...
National Park “Bjeshkët e Nemuna”, with its position in the north-western part of the country, is part of the mountainous ones of the same name (or known as the Albanian Alps), which also extend to the three neighboring states, in R. Kosovo, R. Albania and R. Montenegro. In Kosovo this park lies in the municipalities of Istog, Peja, Deçan, Junik an...
Adult caddisflies were collected during 2018 and 2019 from Kožuf and Baba mountains, located in the southern end of the Republic of North Macedonia. A total of 36 species were recorded, of which 22 and 8 were recorded for the first time for Kožuf and Baba mountains, respectively. Limnephilus flavi-cornis (Fabricius, 1787) is reported for the first...
We collected adult cranefly specimens during 2016 and 2017 with entomological nets from some localities in Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia. A number of 7 species belonging to 5 genera and 2 families were collected. Four species found during this investigation are first records for Republic of Kosovo: Geranomyia fuscior Stary, 2012, Limonia macro...
We analyzed the municipal waste composition in three localities in southern Kosovo during 2004 and 2017. The results show that most of the municipal waste is composed by biodegradable components and at a lesser degree by cardboard, glass, plastic, metals etc. The presence and increase of hazardous waste in municipal containers was observed in all i...
In this paper we describe Potamophylax qafshtamaensis sp. n., a new species of the Potamophylax winneguthi species group, from Qafështamë National Park in Albania. The new species belongs to the Potamophylax tagas species cluster and is most close to Potamophylax hajlos Oláh, 2012 and Potamophylax alsos Oláh, 2014. Potamophylax qafshtamaensis sp. n...
The presence and distribution of Rhyacophila fasciata Hagen 1859 in Europe were revised, based on bibliographic study, collection specimens, and new material collected in different countries. The status of formerly synonymized species, Rhyacophila ferruginea (Scopoli 1763) and Rhyacophila septentrionis McLachlan 1865 was also assessed. The type of...
The knowledge about stoneflies of the Balkan Peninsula is still not complete with many areas poorly investigated. During this investigation we collected adult stoneflies specimens from Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro during the period 2014-2018. In total we found 43 species belonging to 14 genera and 7 families. Four species...
During 2017 we collected adult caddisfly specimens at the Karadak Mountains, Republic of North Macedonia. In total we found 15 species, two of which are recorded for the first time from North Macedonia: Potamophylax fules Oláh and Ibrahimi, 2013 and Chaetopteryx gonospina Marinkovic-Gospodnetic, 1966. Potamophylax fules belongs to the nigricornis g...
Noctuid specimens were collected in the seven different localities in Kosovo during 2019 (April to July). We found thirty five species, five species are first records for the noctuid fauna of Kosovo: Hecatera cappa (Hübner, 1809), Simyra nervosa (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), Aegle semicana (Esper, 1798), Hecatera bicolorata (Hufnagel, 1766) and M...
During the spring of 2011, forty-five macrozoobenthos samples were taken from streams and rivers all over the Dragash Municipality in order to assess the impact of inhabited areas in these freshwater ecosystems, considering the fact that there is no sewage treatment and waste management is dysfunctional in many parts of this Municipality. On the ba...
The Balkan endemic caddisfly species Drusus osogovicus Kumanski, 1980 that was previously known only from Bulgaria was recently reported from the Republic of North Macedonia as well. However, all data on the presence of the species included only adult specimens as the larval stage remained unknown. In the following study we present the first descri...
The Balkan Peninsula is a biodiversity hotspot and hosts numerous mountain lakes, which offer a refuge for a multitude of species. However, previous pristine habitats have been deeply affected by anthropogenic change, such as non-native fish introductions, which calls for multi-species considerations in the last remaining unaltered
habitats. We car...
In this paper new data on distribution and new taxonomic status of the caddisfly Triaenodes ochreellus lefkas are given. DNA barcoding data are also included into defining new status of the species Triaenodes lefkas stat. nov. Data from DNA barcoding analyses of 60 specimens from the genus Triaenodes from the BOLD database show certain taxonomic pe...
Caddisfly faunistic and ecological features were studied at 14 sampling sites along the catchment area of the Dobra River. Adults were collected monthly, over a period of 13 months (from early November 2009 until the end of November 2010), using ultraviolet (UV) light trap and entomological net. Physico-chemical parameters of water and air were als...
Geci, D., Musliu, M., Bilalli, A. & Ibrahimi, H.: New records of Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) from Albania and Kosovo. Nat. Croat., Vol. 29, No. 1, 135-138, Zagreb, 2020. In this contribution, we report new records of the invasive moth Cydalima perspectalis (Walker, 1859) from Albania and Kosovo. Previously, it has...
We sporadically collected stoneflies on Berisha Mountain in Kosovo during 2017 and 2018. During
this investigation we found 12 species belonging to the following families: Leuctridae, Nemouridae
and Perlidae. Five species were recorded for the first time from Kosovo: Nemoura anas, N. asceta, N.
peristeri, N. vinconi and Protonemura beaumonti.
This...
The Balkan endemic caddisfly species Drusus osogovicus Kumanski, 1980, previously known only from the Bulgarian part of the transboundary Osogovo Mountain, is reported from the Republic of North Macedonia for the first time. The species is recorded at four localities in the country: two localities in the North- Macedonian part of Osogovo Mountain a...
We collected adult caddisfly specimens occasionally during 2017 at the Karadak Mountains, which remains one of the least explored mountainous areas in the Western Balkans. Here we report 15 species, three of which are first records for the Karadak Mountains and Republic of North Macedonia: Rhyacophila bosnica Schmid, 1960, Tinodes kimminsi Sykora,...
Fish assemblages and their distributions in the western Balkan rivers have rarely been investigated. This study provides initial insights into the spatial patterns of fish distributions in the main-stem of the White Drin in Kosovo. Sampling primarily utilized back-pack electrofishing at 11 sites along the river's entire main stem, recording 21 spec...
The caddisfly species Rhyacophila pubescens Pictet, 1834 is reported from R. North Macedonia for the first time. Our investigations showed the presence of this species at only one locality at Osogovo Mountain, above the Sasa mine. R. pubescens is commonly distributed in Central Europe but has been rarely found in the southeastern parts of the conti...