The Carpathian region is recognized as one of the most important hotspots for aquatic biodiversity in Europe. In the present study, 658-bp long nucleotide sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene were used to study the phylogeographical patterns of the Carpathian endemic dipteran species belonging to the Pedicia staryi group. Molecular data support the taxon status of the allopatric sibling pairs of the morphologically highly similar Pedicia apusenica, Pedicia staryi, and Pedicia lobifera. This pattern is most likely the result of long-term isolation in so-called cumulative microrefugia in the Carpathians, caused by aridification and forest fragmentation in the Miocene-Pliocene period, in combination with the specific habitat requirements of these species (i.e. the wet and humid environments of forested headwater springs). Furthermore, molecular data reveal an important cryptic diversity in the case of the most wide-spread Carpathian P. staryi, as represented by highly divergent, allopatric populations from distant mountainous ranges, already recognized as important centres of endemism for aquatic insects. In addition, an unexpectedly high genetic diversity was identified in populations from the Rodnei Mountains, where the northern and southern slopes harbour highly divergent genetic lineages. This highlights the importance of this mountain range in the preservation of autochthonous diversity in the Carpathians. The present study provides important new evidence regarding the persistence of relic species in spring habitats in the Carpathians, with ancient divergence events that predate Quaternary glaciations and confirm their continuous presence during the Last Glacial Maximum in multiple isolated refugia, leading finally to a high genetic complexity in these particular aquatic ecosystems.

We present preliminary results of a phylogeographic analysis of Rhyacophila tristis, a wide-spread European caddisfly. Mitochondrial sequence data (the second part of the mtCOI gene) of 52 of specimens were used to investigate large-scale population genetic patterns of Central European populations of the study species. The results show strong genetic differences between a western and an eastern lineage. The deep split most probably indicates that the identified lineages of R. tristis survived in independent Pleistocene refugia in the Alps and in the Carpathians, emphasizing the importance of these areas in the Pleistocene survival of aquatic mountain organisms

A new species of the genus Diplolepis Geoffroy, Diplolepis abei Pujade-Villar & Wang sp. nov. is described on host plant Rosa sertata Rolfe × R. rugosa Thunb. from China with an integrative approach based on molecular and morphological data. Diagnosis, distribution and biology of the new species are included and illustrated. This species is the first known rose gall-inducer of economic importance. A review of Eastern Palearctic species of Diplolepis is given and a key to the Chinese fauna is presented.

Three new species of the genus Pedicia, subgenus Crunobia (Diptera: Pediciidae) belonging to the staryi group are described on the basis of a combination of molecular and morphology datasets, and a key to discriminate between species of the subgenus Crunobia is added. Geographic projection of the identified taxa suggests insular-like distribution and shows the importance of the Carpathians as a genetic center which is home to an exceptionally high aquatic diversity in Europe.

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