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A review of the Kazakh caddisfly fauna has been prepared for the first time based on literature data and results of the authors' own research. Currently 148 species of caddisflies of 59 genera and 17 families are known for Kazakhstan. The most diverse families are Limnephilidae with 35 species, Leptoceridae 20, Hydropsychidae 17, Lepidostomatidae 10, Glossosomatidae 9, and Rhyacophilidae 8 species. In total, these six families account for 67% of total biodiversity of the Kazakhstan caddisfly fauna. Other families are represented by fewer species: Psychomyiidae with 5 species, Hydroptilidae 7, Apataniidae 8, Phryganeidae 8, and Polycentropodidae 7. Only 1–3 species are known for each of the families Philopotamidae, Ecnomidae, Stenopsychidae, Molannidae, Brachycentridae, and Goeridae. The largest numbers of species are known from southern (80 species) and eastern (70 species) Kazakhstan, probably because the aquatic entomofauna in these regions and neighboring territories is better studied. Also, these regions are characterized with the most diverse natural conditions, from semi-desert plains to alpine meadows. Generally, the Kazakhstan caddisfly fauna is poorly studied, and it is expected that new records and new species will be found in Kazakhstan in the future.

In 1996–2008, macrozoobenthos of the Small Aral Sea was investigated. A total of 320 macrozoobenthos samples were collected. Statistical analysis and statistical mapping were performed using Statistica and Photoshop software. Ten taxa of macrozoobenthos were identified, with an average water salinity of the Small Aral Sea ranging from 6.3 to 19.0 PSU. Average annual community abundance reached 1962 specimens m−2, with biomass of 107.1 g m−2. Quantitative variables of macrozoobenthos decreased by an order of magnitude by the end of the analyzed period. The polychaete Hediste diversicolor and mollusks Abra ovata, Cerastoderma glaucum, Caspiohydrobia sp. were the dominant taxa. Statistical mapping and correlation analysis revealed that the high biomass of A. ovata and Caspiohydrobia sp. occur in areas with high water salinity. Aggregations of the mollusk C. glaucum were observed in various areas of the sea. The polychaete H. diversicolor preferred areas with relatively low salinity. Analysis of the results showed that the optimum salinity gradient with Aral salt composition was 17–27 PSU for A. ovata, Caspiohydrobia sp. and C. glaucum, while 1–27 PSU for H. diversicolor. Along with changes in water salinity, the currently growing pressure from freshwater fish is an additional factor affecting the structure of benthic communities in the Small Aral Sea.

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