Aporrectodea caliginosa is a universally distributed and highly abundant peregrine earthworm that is the object of many ecological and ecotoxicological studies. Molecular phylogenetic analysis suggested that A. caliginosa consists of three highly diverged genetic lineages. In this study, we investigated morphological diversity within a sample of these three lineages from Belarus. We detected a variety of forms with different degrees of pigmentation and a shift in the clitellum position. The three genetic lineages of A. caliginosa demonstrated different propensity to particular morphological variants, including size, colour, and the clitellum position, yet no character could be used to distinguish among the lineages with sufficient accuracy. Thus, our results suggest that identification of the genetic lineage should be recommended for ecological studies involving A. caliginosa to account for possible differences between them.

Grasshoppers (Acridoidea) are one of the most essential components of grassland ecosystems. They are mainly primary consumers and some of them, e.g., the Italian locust, may be very important pests. The main goal of this article is to discuss possible shifts in the species distribution relative to global and local changes. General patterns of latitudinal, longitudinal, and altitudinal distribution of its populations are revealed for the eastern part of its range (mainly from 70° E eastward). Data on its historic and modern localities with geographic coordinates were collected and analyzed. The Maxent approach was used to model species distribution. The comparative analysis shows there are no significant changes in its range. The analysis of altitudinal distribution over mountains of the region demonstrates no significant changes as well. The expected distribution of Calliptamus italicus based on the location points displays significant changes in areas suitable for the species and their evident associations with outbreak occurrences. The models created for 2021–2040 and 2041–2060 unveil that, in the future, the local parts of the Italian locust range may shift northward and north-eastward, but the main areas with suitable conditions for this species will remain almost the same.

Grasshoppers are one of the most important groups of primary consumers in the mountains of Inner Asia. During outbreaks, they can eradicate all or almost all green phytomass. Besides, these mountains are also home for many endemic taxa. The goal of the article is to reveal the main patterns of acridid altitudinal distribution and its feasible alterations in the mountains of Inner Asia relative to climate change and alteration of human activity. Altitudinal distribution patterns are revealed for the different mountains of Inner Asia, and their peculiarities are characterized. The significant contrast is shown between the northern parts of the region where the altitudinal long-term shifts in grasshopper distribution are absent or very weak and its central and, probably, southern areas wherever such alterations look like extremely considerable. The results of distribution modelling of two mountain endemics (Stenobothrus newskii and S. kirgizorum) are discussed. In this context, importance of adding the data on altitudes is shown. The main trends in grasshoppers’ distribution alterations are characterized for the mountains of Inner Asia. However, these trends are multidirectional and the reasons determining them are not always obvious, problems arise in assessing the factors determining the shifts in the altitudinal boundaries of ranges, and the actual state and probable fate of mountain populations of both possible pests and rare and/or endemic species.

A survey of the earthworm fauna of Belarus that included most of its territory was performed in this study. One genus, three species and one subspecies were reported for the first time. The fauna of Belarus thus comprises 17 species and two subspecies. Detailed maps for all of the reported species were constructed.