Short communication, Note

Shedding light on crustacean species diversity in the anchihaline caves of Croatia

Sanja Gottstein orcid.org/0000-0002-1424-2911 ; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Frano Kršinić orcid.org/0000-0002-0263-6585 ; Institute of oceanography and fisheries, Laboratory of Plankton, Šetalište I. Meštrovića 63, HR-21000 Split, Croatia
Ivančica Ternjej ; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Neven Cukrov orcid.org/0000-0003-3920-6703 ; Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Petra Kutleša orcid.org/0000-0003-3854-2633 ; Croatian Biospeleological Society, Demetrova 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Branko Jalžić ; Croatian Biospeleological Society, Demetrova 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

In the framework of our research, this study was focused on crustaceans in the anchihaline caves along the Eastern Adriatic coast. From August 2002 to June 2006 we collected 99 samples in 39 anchihaline caves. A total of 33 crustacean taxa were identified. Affinities were found in the rare, endemic or ecologically restricted crustaceans recorded in fewer than 10 caves, belonging to copepods, isopods and amphipods. A high species richness was recorded in the Central Adriatic threshold and the South Adriatic Basin. Stratified caves rich in organic matter or even heavy metals had the highest species richness. The cave Medvjeđa špilja on Lošinj Island was detected as a hot spot with 12 recorded taxa.

Keywords

Adriatic coast; Crustacea; anchihaline caves; hot spot; species richness

Hrčak ID:

87197

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/87197

Publication date:

30.9.2012.

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