Biospeleology in CroatiaAbstracts
Tvrtković, N. & Baltić, M.: Giant noctule (Nyctalus lasiopterus Schreber, 1780), first refinding in Croatia (Mljet island) after 69 years. Nat. Croat., Vol. 5, No. 1, 89-93, 1996, Zagreb. Skeletal remains of the Giant Noctule (Nyctalus lasiopterus Schreber, 1780) have been found in Galicnjak cave on the hill above Okuklje village on the island of Mljet (Croatia). Thus this species has been confirmed as a true member of recent mammalian fauna of Croatia. Key words: Nyctalus lasiopterus,
first finding, island Mljet, Croatia Jalžić, B.: The stygobiont bivalve Congeria kusceri Bole, 1962 (Bivalvia, Dreissenidae) in Croatia. Nat. Croat., Vol. 7, No. 4., 341-347, 1998, Zagreb. Live colonies of the relict stygobiont bivalve Congeria kusceri have been found on three localities in Croatia, and another occurs in Bosnia and Hercegovina - all inhabit subterranean waters in the karst around the lower course of the Neretva River. Shells of the same species also are found in four springs and one sinkhole in the same area of Croatia. The August and September temperatures of the water in these karst caverns are between 14,5 and 19°C, which is higher than in Slovenia and Popovo polje (BIH). Key words: Congeria kusceri,
stygobiont bivalve, Croatia Štamol, V., Jalžić, B. & Kletečki, E.: A contribution to knowledge about the distribution of the troglobiontic snail Pholeoteras euthrix Sturany, 1904 (Mollusca, Gastropoda). Nat. Croat., Vol. 8, No. 4., 407-419, 1999, Zagreb. The terrestrial troglobiontic snail Pholeoteras euthrix Sturany, 1904 has so far been known from caves in southern Croatia, southern Herzegovina and Greece. The finds in Croatia were in only two localities from the wider Dubrovnik region, while seven localities were found in Herzegovina, all in the region of Popovo polje. In Greece the species has been found on Corfu, a locality about 350 km distant from localities established hitherto. Our research has extended knowledge about the distribution of this species in Herzegovina and Croatia. A find on the island of Vis is the first discovery of any insular Pholeoteras euthrix in Croatia. Key words: Gastropoda, Pholeoteras,
distribution, Croatia Casale, A. & Jalžić, B.: Croatotrechus (new genus) tvrtkovici n. sp., new species of eyeless trechine beetle from Gorski kotar (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechini), Nat. Croat., Vol. 8, No. 2., 137-145, 1999, Zagreb. Croatotrechus (nov. gen.) tvrtkovici n. sp. is described from Pecinik cave (near the town of Ogulin), and its morphological features are illustrated. The peculiar combination of characters (two dilated fore tarsomeres in the male, basolateral setae of pronotum present, unusual shape of median lobe and inner sac of aedeagus, among other things), isolates the new taxon from all other eyeless trechines known so far from the Dinaric massifs. The hypothesis of its derivation from an epigeal ancestor is discussed. Data about the distribution and ecology of the type species are also provided. Key words: Croatotrechus, tvrtkovici,
new genus, new species, Carabidae, Trechini, systematics Casale, A., Giachino, P. M. & Jalžić, B.: Croatodirus (nov. gen.) bozicevici n. sp., an enigmatic new leptodirine beetle from Croatia (Coleoptera, Cholevidae). Nat. Croat., Vol. 9, No. 2., 83-92, 2000, Zagreb. Croatodirus, new genus, bozicevici new species (Coleoptera, Cholevidae) are described from the Ucka Tunnel Cave in Mt. Ucka (Monte Maggiore) near the town of Rijeka (Croatia). The new taxon, provisionally attributed to the phyletic lineage of Antroherpon, is however markedly isolated owing to the following peculiar combination of morphological features: 1) antennal insertion on the posterior 4th of the head; 2) antennomere 1 slightly longer than antennomere 2; 3) pterothorax not pedunculate, mesosternum not carinate; 4) mesocoxal cavities contiguous; 5) tarsal claws widened; 6) protibiae without external apical comb of spines and without external spurs; meso-and metatibiae furnished with inner, unified spurs; 8) aedeagus medium sized, with inner sac without sclerotized pieces; and 9) female stylomeres and spermatheca fully atrophied. The systematic position and the peculiar ecology of this new, exceptional troglobiontic beetle are illustrated and discussed. Key words: Croatodirus, bozicevici,
new genus, new species, Coleoptera, Cholevidae, systematics Schütt, H.: The Subterranean Molluscs of the Ombla Spring. Nat. Croat., Vol. 9, No. 3., 203-215, 2000, Zagreb. A sediment from the subterranean spring-waters of the river Ombla in Komolac near Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, taken several years ago, showed a good survey of the stygobiont mollusc fauna in the unpassable caves in South Dalmatia. The ascertained faunal elements are systematically described and compared with former findings at neighboured places. Altogether result were more than 23 species of more or less eucaval, mostly endemic snails and one endemic freshwater-mussel, together with many tubes of the sessile polychaete Marifugia cavatica Absolon & Hrabé 1930. Key words: malacology, subterranean
molluscs, freshwater, Tanatozoenose, Dubrovnik, spring Ombla, Dalmatia, Croatia Hervant, F., Mathieu, J. & Durand, J. P.: Circadian rhythmicity, respiration and behavior in hypogean and epigean salamanders. Nat. Croat., Vol. 10, No 3, 141-152, 2001, Zagreb. Comparisons of circadian rhythmicity, behavior, and metabolism between surface and cave-dwelling salamanders enable elucidation of evolutionary trends in these processes. The obligate cave-dwelling proteid Proteus anguinus did not show any apparent daily rhythm of activity or resting metabolic rate. In contrast, the surface-dwelling salamandrid Euproctus asper had a circadian SMR and activity cycle. These circadian rhythms possessed an endogenous component. The lives of both salamanders studied were characterized by long periods of inactivity punctuated by bouts of foraging or exploratory/predatory behavior. Proteus anguinus had reduced resting metabolic and spontaneous activity rates (considerably lower than most surface-dwelling amphibians), and therefore appears to be a good example of a vertebrate as a low-energy system. The low metabolic and activity rates of P. anguinus are interpreted as adaptations to a subterranean existence where poor and discontinuous food supplies and/or intermittent hypoxia may be present for long periods. Key words: amphibian, metabolism,
activity, cave, surface, Proteidae Slapnik, R.: Activity and movements of Zospeum isselianum Pollonera 1886 (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Carychiidae) in a cave in the Kamniške-Savinjske Alps (Slovenia). Nat. Croat., Vol. 10, No. 3, 153-162, 2001, Zagreb. The objective of this work was to make periodic observations of hypogean Zospeum isselianum Pollonera 1886 snails on a sample rock surface in the Jama pod Mokrico cave in the Kamniske-Savinjske Alps and monitor the distance the snails moved over a given period of time. Between April 30 and August 1, 1997, the movement of the snails was recorded thirteen times. The air temperature in the cave was between 6.0º C and 10.2º C, and the relative humidity was between 97% and 100%. The snails moved over distances of from 1 to 15 cm per week. The average distance was 0.7 cm per day. The snails generally crept around the places they were initially found. Key words: Gastropoda, Zospeum,
activity, movements, cave, ecology Arko-Pijevac, M., C. Benac, M. Kovacic & M. Kirincic: A submarine cave at the Island of Krk (North Adriatic Sea). Nat. Croat., Vol. 10, No. 3., 163-184, 2001, Zagreb. A submarine cave near Vrbnik (the island of Krk, Croatia) is 30 m long and has the shape of an irregular triangular prism, with its bottom covered by mud and boulders. Formed in Upper Cretaceous limestone under terrestrial conditions, probably during the Würm glaciation it was submerged during the Holocene rise in the sea-level. Preliminary biocenological studies revealed 23 taxa of macroflora at the cave entrance and 115 taxa of macrofauna (22 Porifera, 7 Cnidaria, 19 Bivalvia, 6 Gastropoda, 1 Cephalopoda, 1 Echiura, 1 Sipuncula, 8 Polychaeta, 15 Crustacea, 6 Bryozoa, 5 Echinodermata, 4 Tunicata, 20 Pisces). Malacostraca comprised 13 species of Decapoda and 2 species of Mysidiacea. Among the fishes only Gammogobius steinitzi is considered to be an exclusive cave inhabitant. The goby Thorogobius ephippiatus is by far the most abundant fish. From the cave entrance and up to 3 m into the cave a precoralligenous aspect of coralligenous biocenosis was registered. The biocenosis of semi-dark caves dominated by Porifera fauna occurs up to 25 m into the cave, while the final 5 m are characterised by biocenosis of caves and ducts in complete darkness with a predominance of Polychaeta. Keywords: karst, submarine cave,
benthic biocenoses, fishes, crustaceans, Adriatic Sea, Croatia Buzjak, S. & Vrbek, M: Speleobotanical research into three caves on the island of Rab (Croatia). Nat. Croat., Vol. 10, No. 3., 185-196, 2001, Zagreb. During 1998, research was done into the flora of and certain ecological factors (temperature and relative humidity) in the entrance parts of three caves on the island of Rab. The caves lie in different vegetation zones and at different altitudes. In all, 32 kinds of plant were recorded: 29 spermatophytes and 3 pteridophytes. In comparison with research carried out in two of the caves at the beginning of the century, a change had occurred in the floristic composition. Particularly noteworthy is the reduction in the number of fern species in the interior of the cave. Keywords: speleobotany, the island of
Rab, ecological factors, flora, cave Matocec, N. & Ozimec, R.: Observations on Cordyceps riverae (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) in Croatian caves. Nat. Croat., Vol. 10, No. 3, 197-206, 2001, Zagreb. This paper appears to be the first contribution on cave macromycetes in Croatia. During the systematic biospeleological field work in the Dinaric karst area, eight more or less stable populations of the entomogenous species Cordyceps riverae Pacioni (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) have been located since 1990. Some 200 speleological sites have been visited so far in order to find both living and/or infected hosts, with 69 sites colonized by two subtroglophilic lepidopteran species of the genus Triphosa (Geometridae) which are apparently the only surely known hosts of the fungus. C. riverae was collected from five localities (situated in Gorski kotar, Kordun and Dalmatia regions) out of eight speleological sites in which the species was recorded. A full description of C. riverae, a comparison with the holotype collection, detailed ecological observations, as well as the mapping of known distribution of both the species and host are given. C. riverae is recorded in Croatia for the first time. Key words: Ascomycota, Hypocreales, Cordyceps
riverae, Lepidoptera, Triphosa dubitata, T. sabaudiata,
biospeleology, ecology, mapping, morphology, mycofloristics, Croatia Pesce, G. L.: The Zinzulusa cave: an endangered biodiversity “hot spot” of South Italy. Nat. Croat., Vol. 10, No. 3., 207-212, 2001, Zagreb. The historical, geological, faunistic and ecological characteristics of the Zinzulusa cave (Castro Marina, South Italy), one of the most remarkable anchialine aquifers of Italy, are presented in this paper. The results of recent explorations and discoveries, in both the above-ground and submerged part of the cave, are pointed out. The cave is at present endangered and it requires measures aimed at keeping aquifer levels adequate to assure protection of its precious stygofauna. A list of threatened species living in the cave is appended. Key words: Zinzulusa cave, Italy,
endangered taxa Jalzic, B.: The first finding of a live stygobiont bivalve Congeria in the Lika region, Croatia. Nat. Croat., Vol. 10, No. 3., 231-220, 2001, Zagreb. By the side of the three already known separate populations of relict stygobiont bivalves of the genus Congeria in the Dinaric karst (Bela krajna /Slovenia/, western Bosnia /Bosnia and Herzegovina/ and Dalmatia-Herzegovina /Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina/) a new population has been found in the underground area of North Velebit, in the drain part of the Lika River, Croatia. After the discovery of part of a shell on the bottom of Lukina Jama (-1392 m deep), thousands of specimens of Congeria have been found in Markov Ponor, all the way through more than 1700 m of underground tunnels. As well as a list of associated fauna, a description is provided of some of the ecological factors of the biotope whose temperature reaches a maximum of +6ºC, the lowest temperature in the habitats known. Key words: stygobiont bivalve,
Dreissenidae, Congeria, new locality, Lika River, Croatia Lakota, J., Mlejnek, R. & Jalzic, B.: Lovricia aenigmatica - a new species of troglobitic beetle from Croatia (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Nat. Croat., Vol. 11, No. 1., 19-25, 2002, Zagreb. Lovricia aenigmatica, n. sp., a highly specialized troglobitic carabid beetle from a nameless deep pit cave in the Biokovo Mts. (Croatia, Middle Dalmatia) is described, illustrated and compared with the related species Lovricia jalzici Pretner, 1979. Key words: Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lovricia,
new species, Croatia, Biokovo Mts., troglobitic Gottstein Matocec, S. (ed.), Bakran-Petricioli, T., Bedek, J., Bukovec, D., Buzjak, S., Franicevic, M., Jalzic, B., Kerovec, M., Kletecki, E., Kralj, J., Kruzic, P., Kucinic, M., Kuhta, M., Matocec, N., Ozimec, R., Radja, T., Štamol, V., Ternjej, I. & Tvrtkovic, N.: An overview of the cave and interstitial biota of Croatia. Nat. Croat., Vol. 11, Suppl. 1, 1-112, 2002, Zagreb. The karst areas in Croatia, part of the Dinarides, have been defined biospeleologically as an area of high biodiversity in world terms, covering 26 thousand km2 in all. In this monograph we give data about the biodiversity of subterranean habitats and their biota primarily from a taxonomic perspective with special attention being paid to regional diversity. The diversified geomorphology, hydrology and climate have resulted in a remarkable range of different underground habitats in Croatia, viz. inland and coastal caves, superficial and deep phreatic networks, interstitial – hyporheic substrates and other infiltration zones, etc. In Croatia more than 500 obligate subterranean species and subspecies are known from caves and interstitial habitats. The majority of subterranean species in Croatia are terrestrial biota. There are 299 troglobiont and 170 stygobiont taxa (species and subspecies) recorded. Most subterranean species have very restricted ranges, almost 70 % of them endemic to Croatia. Cave fungi are poorly known. Among them there are several important parasitic troglobionts and troglophilic species on cave coleopterans and troglophilic moths in Croatian caves. Some saprotrophic species could be troglobiotic too but their taxonomic and/or ecological status must be clarified in future research. With a respect to the number of troglobionts, the five largest animal groups are Coleoptera, Pseudoscorpiones, Araneae, Gastropoda and Diplopoda. The beetles (Coleoptera) are predominant. More than 100 cavernicolous beetles (species and subspecies) are known in Croatia. Among stygobionts, the Crustacea predominate. At least half of species described are Crustacea. Among Crustacea, the orders Syncarida and Thermosbaenacea are exclusively stygobiotic. Numerically, among crustacean stygobiotic Amphipoda dominate in caves and Copepoda in interstitial habitats. The only known stygobiotic sponge Eunapius subterraneus Sket et Velikonja inhabits several caves in Croatia. Also, the only known stygobiotic clam Congeria kusceri Bole inhabits a series of caves in Croatia. Other important groups include hydrozoa, planarians (Temnocephalida and Tricladida), snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) and the only European stygobiotic Chordata Proteus anguinus Laurenti. The high taxonomic diversity of the subterranean biota of Croatia can be attributed partly to the geographical heterogeneity and a rather unique combination of various geological and ecological phenomena. Key words: subterranean biota,
biospeleology, stygobionts, troglobionts, biodiversity, karst, cave,
interstitial habitat, terrestrial habitat, groundwater, distribution, Croatia Trontelj,
P. & Gorički, Š.: Monophyly of the family Proteidae (Amphibia: Caudata)
tested by phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial 12s rDNA sequences. Nat.
Croat., Vol. 12, No. 3., 113-120, 2003, Zagreb.
Casale, A., Giachino, P. M.
& Jalžić, B.: Three new species and one new genus of ultraspecialized cave
dwelling Leptodirinae from Croatia (Coleoptera, Cholevidae). Nat. Croat.,
Vol. 13, No. 4., 301-317, 2004, Zagreb . Slapnik,
R. & Ozimec, R.: Distribution
of the genus Zospeum Bourguignat 1856
(Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Ellobiidae) in Croatia. Nat. Croat., Vol. 13,
No. 2., 115-135, 2004, Zagreb. Hlaváč,
P. & Lakota, J.: A new species of cavernicolous genus Machaerites
Miller, 1855 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae) from Croatia. Nat. Croat., Vol. 13, No. 2., 137-141, 2004,
Zagreb. Plath, M., Wiedemann,
K. & Parzefall, J.: Cave molly males (Poecilia
mexicana) do not recognise receptive females without body contact. Nat.
Croat., Vol. 13, No. 2., 197-200, 2004, Zagreb. Moldovan,
O. T., Jalžić, B. & Erichsen, E.: Adaptation of the mouthparts in some
subterranean Cholevinae (Coleoptera, Leiodidae). Nat.
Croat., Vol. 13, No. 1., 1-18, 2004, Zagreb. Vít, S. & Hlaváč, P.: New cavernicolous ant-like beetle of the genus Euconnus (subg. Tetramelus) from Croatia (Coleoptera: Scydmaenidae). Nat. Croat., Vol. 14, No. 1., 29-38, 2005, Zagreb. A new cave dwelling species of Euconnus (Tetramelus) Motschulsky is described from the Croatian cave “Bazgovačka Jama”. The relationship of the new species to the species-groups longulus and oblongus is briefly discussed and the occurrences of Tetramelus are concisely listed.
Key words:
Coleoptera, Scydmaenidae, Euconnus subg. Tetramelus, new species,
Croatia
, taxonomy |
