Census takers in Daghestan have discovered 15 ethnic groups that previously have been classified as Avars, to whom those groups are related. The Avars hitherto constituted the largest ethnic group in Daghestan, numbering approximately 500,000, or 27 percent, of the republic's total population. The newly discovered ethnic groups together total 150,000, which might mean that the Dargins, who in 1989 numbered 280,431 persons, have now overtaken the Avars as the republic's largest ethnic group. The discovery of the new ethnic groups will necessitate amendments to the republic's constitution, given that hitherto the 34 recognized ethnic groups were all represented on the State Council, the highest organ of state power. (RFE/RL)