Natura Croatica, Vol. 35 No. 2, 2026.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.20302/NC.2026.35.32
On the evolution and occurrence of the Croatian fairy shrimp, Chirocephalus croaticus Steuer, 1898 (Crustacea: Anostraca)
Josip Skejo
; Faculty of Science, Zagreb University, Croatia
Marijana Vuković
; Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, Zagreb, Croatia
Nikola Tvrtković
; Croatian Biospeleological Society, Zagreb, Croatia
Sažetak
The presence of a rare endemic fairy shrimp Chirocephalus croaticus Steuer, 1898 in the intermittent karst lake Blata (= Begovac) near Plaški in Lika (Croatia) was confirmed in 2004 for the first time since type series collection in 1895. We discuss the distribution of this species in the northwestern Dinaric Alps, and clarify the misunderstandings regarding the location of that lake. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial COI sequences, confirmed Daday’s 1910 opinion about the taxonomic position within the Europe-endemic C. (spinicaudatus) species group, basal within the genus, and also including C. spinicaudatus and C. chyzeri. Species status of C. croaticus must furthermore be tested with additional mitochondrial and nuclear markers on larger samples. Besides, we recommend a field study including monitoring of the Croatian population, in order to determine its seasonal dynamics, and conservation measures, including the management of (one of) the last Croatian natural montane intermittent karst lake habitat.
Ključne riječi
type locality; Blata; intermittent lake; Chirocephalus (spinicaudatus); threatened species; extinction; phylogeny
Hrčak ID:
350281
URI
Datum izdavanja:
31.12.2026.
Posjeta: 0 *