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Natura Croatica Broj izdanja: Natura Croatica, Vol. 21 Suppl.1

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

Autori: Sanja Gottstein, Frano Kršinić, Ivančica Ternjej, Neven Cukrov, Petra Kutleša, Branko Jalžić

Autori i afilijacije

  • Sanja Gottstein Division of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
  • Frano Kršinić Institute of oceanography and fisheries, Laboratory of Plankton, Šetalište I. Meštrovića 63, HR-21000 Split, Croatia
  • Ivančica Ternjej University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, Zagreb, Croatia
  • Neven Cukrov Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division for marine and environmental research, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
  • Petra Kutleša Croatian Agency for the Environment and Nature, Radnička cesta 80/7, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
  • Branko Jalžić Croatian Biospeleological Society (CBSS), Rooseveltov trg 6, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

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.

Sažetak

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.

Ključne riječi

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

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