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Anchialine caves contain haline bodies of water with underground connections to the ocean and limited exposure to open air. Despite being found on islands and peninsular coastlines around the world, the isolation of anchialine systems has facilitated the evolution of high levels of endemism among their inhabitants. The unique characteristics of anchialine caves and of their predominantly crustacean biodiversity nominate them as particularly interesting study subjects for evolutionary biology. However, there is presently a distinct scarcity of modern molecular methods being employed in the study of anchialine cave ecosystems. The use of current and emerging molecular techniques, e.g., next-generation sequencing (NGS), bestows an exceptional opportunity to answer a variety of long-standing questions pertaining to the realms of speciation, biogeography, population genetics, and evolution, as well as the emergence of extraordinary morphological and physiological adaptations to these unique environments. The integration of NGS methodologies with traditional taxonomic and ecological methods will help elucidate the unique characteristics and evolutionary history of anchialine cave fauna, and thus the significance of their conservation in face of current and future anthropogenic threats. Here we review previous contributions to our understanding of anchialine biodiversity and evolution, and discuss the potential of “speleogenomic” methods for future research in these threatened systems.

Worldwide, caves and groundwater habitats harbor thousands of species modified and limited to subterranean habitats in karst. Data are concentrated in Europe and USA, where a number of detailed analyses have been performed. Much less is known with respect to global patterns due to a lack of data. This special issue will focus on and discuss the global patterns of individual hotspot caves and groundwater habitats.

Evidences show humans must have entered caves in Romania prior to 65,000 years ago. Their interest in mining activities came, however, much later, with the first documented signs predating the arrival of Romans in Dacia (present-day Romania), in the second century BC. Although writings about minerals in Romanian caves date back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the first scientific texts on minerals found in caves discovered during mining and quarrying activities only appeared after 1850s. From a mineralogical point of view, two distinct categories are recognizable: (1) caves displaying speleothems of ordinary carbonate mineralogy and (2) caves with unusual mineral paragenesis. The latter group could further be subdivided into: (i) cavities located near or within nonmetalliferous or polymetallic ore fields, (ii) skarn-hosted caves, and (iii) caves in which H2S-rich thermo-mineral waters discharge. The study of these caves resulted in the discovery of minerals, either new for science (ardealite) or to the cave environment (anhydrite, burbankite, foggite, ikaite, konyaite, etc.). However, the scientific relevance of those caves discovered in mines and quarries, along with the mined caves, is not restricted to mineralogy but also encompasses anthropology, archeology, Quaternary geology, biospeleology, karst science (speleothems, speleogenesis, etc.), and tourism.

The “Emil Racovița” Institute of Speleology (ERIS), first of its kind in the world, performing research activity for more than 97 years, owns its existence to the initiative of the great scientist Emil G. Racovița (1868–1947), a biologist, polar explorer, and founder of biospeleology. The establishment of the ERIS became official when the Law no. 19.11 from April 26, 1920, was published in “The Official Monitor of Romania” (in Romanian: “Monitorul Oficial”) no. 86 from July 20, 1920. The institute was founded as an independent research unit within the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Cluj, and E. G. Racovița served as Director and Manager between 1920 and 1947. The research trends initiated by E. G. Racovița were continued until 1949 by R. Jeannel and P. A. Chappuis, two close collaborators of the Romanian scientist. In 1951, within the Geological Committee of the People’s Republic of Romania, two research groups were assembled in Bucharest and Cluj, respectively. Their mission was to prospect and identify phosphate deposits, an opportunity that led to the exploration of a large number of caves, which were simultaneously surveyed and investigated for their fauna.

The presence of mycobacteria was studied in Bull Rock Cave (“Byci skala”) and the water catch - ment area of Jedovnice Brook (“Jedovnicky potok”) using direct microscopy after Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining, culture examination and molecular techniques. Mycobacteria were detected in 47.1% of a total of 68 samples. The mycobacterial genes hsp65 and dnaA were detected and sequenced in 37 (74.0%) out of the 50 cave environmental samples and in 10 (55.6%) out of the 18 samples of water catchment sediments. Nine species of slowly growing mycobacteria ( M. terrae , M. arupense , M. gordonae , M. lentiflavum , M. parascrofulaceum , M. parmense , M. sas - katchewanense , M. simiae and M. xenopi ) and two subsp. ( M. avium subsp. avium and M. avium subsp. hominis - suis ) were detected. Fourteen species of rapidly growing mycobacteria ( M. chelonae , M. chubuense , M. poriferae , M. flavescens , M. fortuitum , M. porcinum , M. rhodesiae , M. gilvum , M. goodii , M. peregrinum , M. mageritense , M. vanbaalenii , M. gadium and M. insubricum ) were detected. The highest mycobacterial presence was docu- mented by ZN staining and/or culture examinations in earthworm castings and bat guano (73.3% positivity out of the 15 samples) in the cave environment and in the water sediments collected under the outflow from the wastewater treatment plants (77.8% positivity out of nine samples). The highest total organic carbon (TOC) was detected in wooden material and earthworm castings with pH values between 5.0 and 7.7 in the cave environment and in water sediments collected under the outflow from the wastewater treatment plants with pH between 5.8 and 7.0. It could be concluded that the karst cave environment with its running surface water contaminated with different microorganisms or chemical substances creates favourable conditions not only for animals (especially earthworms) but also for mycobacteria. This fact is also demonstrated by the presence of these mycobacteria in the cave environment mainly in earthworm castings and bat guano.

The species Paraphaenops breuilianus (Jeannel, 1916) is an Iberian iconic cave beetle with “aphaenopsian” facies, monospecific until now. An extensive field work over the last years allowed the revision of this peculiar genus using the combinations of morphological, molecular and ecological approaches and led to the description of new taxa Paraphaenops fadriquei Ortuno and Faille sp. nov., Paraphaenops breuilianus espanoli Ortuno and Faille ssp. nov. and the full larval diagnosis of the third larval instar of the type species. The sequencing of two mitochondrial (cox1, rrnl + tRNA-Leu + nad1) and one nuclear (LSU) gene fragments evidenced a strong divergence for all markers considered between P. breuilianus and the new species P. fadriquei sp. nov. The strong genetic differences between the two taxa contrast singularly with the extreme morphological homogeneity of the genus. The ecological data recorded for Paraphaenops Jeannel, 1916 species show that they are stenotherms and stenohygrobionts, perfectly adapted to the subterranean environment, living at temperatures between 4.4 and 10 °C with high relative humidity. The new localities and taxa enlarge the former distribution area from 72 to 5091 square kilometres sprinkled between twelve caves: six in the Mola de Cati (P. breuilianus breuilianus); three in the aforementioned karst region towards the south, crossing the geographical barrier “Barranc de Regatxol” (P. breuilianus espanoli ssp. nov.); and three, 60 km towards the west, in a different karst region: the “Sierra de la Dehesas” (P. fadriquei sp. nov.) This geographical range overlaps a geostructural area quoted as “junction area” between the Iberian System and the Catalan coastal Mountain range, an area up to 1000 meters above sea level.

A new troglobitic Pselaphinae, Tychobythinus villasmundi sp. nov., is described from Villasmundo Cave (Melilli, Syracuse province, Sicily). Major diagnostic features are illustrated based on both male and female specimens. The new species shows some adaptations to cave life, such as pale brown colour, setation consisting of long and flattened setae and suberect shorter setae, absence of wings, anophthalmy, and elongated legs and antennae. It can be easily separated from the related taxa by the different structure of the aedeagus. Tychobythinus villasmundi sp. nov. is known only from Villasmundo Cave, a limestone cave in the south-eastern Sicily.

Seven new species of the cavernicolous and anophthalmous genus Thaumastocephalus Poggi, Nonveiller, Colla, Pavićević & T. Rađa, 2001 are described: T. bilandzijae sp. n., T. kirini sp. n., T. marsici sp. n., T. rujnicensis sp. n., T. slavkoi sp. n. and T. troglavi sp. n. from Croatia and T. dahnae sp. n. from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aedeagi of all species are illustrated. A key to all species is provided. The records of all specimens of the genus treated here are given, and their distributions are discussed and shown on maps. The distribution of all genera of cavernicolous Pselaphinae in the Dinarides is discussed.

This paper is the first in a series describing the previously unstudied cave spiders from Cyprus. Two new species, Dysderocrates kibrisensis sp. n. and Harpactea kalavachiana sp. n., are described. Detailed morphological descriptions and diagnostic characteristics are presented. This is the first report of the genus Dysderocrates Deeleman-Reinhold & Deeleman, 1988 from Cyprus. © Salih Gücel et al., European Commission: 2015/371-989, This study was produced with the financial support of the European Union as part of the “Caves of Kyrenia Mountains Project: Research, Conservation, and Education through "Cypriot Civil Society in Action V Program” (contract number: 2015/371-989) and co-funded by the US Embassy in Nicosia. This research was led by Mağara Meraklıları Derneği (Cave Enthusiasts NGO) in Cyprus and the Union of International Speleology (UIS) in Slovenia. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. We are deeply indebted to Ferhat Altunsoy (Eskişehir, Turkey) and Mert Elverici (Ankara, Turkey) who photographed the holotypes of the new species. We also thank Yuri Marusik (Magadan, Russia) who kindly provided a photograph of the vulva of Harpactea parthica from Iran. We thank the anonymous reviewers for their careful reading of our manuscript and their many insightful comments and suggestions. The English of the final text was kindly checked by Sarah Crews (San Francisco, USA).

Photographic identification is an emerging method for recognising wild animals. This harmless methodology allows researchers to identify “naturally marked” individuals and therefore study their specific ecology and behaviour. However, before incurring potential data loss, it is recommended to test the methodology on the target species and evaluate the pros and cons. We assessed the reliability of photographic identification in adult Hydromantes salamanders from three species. Specifically, we assessed whether the dorsal pattern of adult salamanders changed over time, thus evaluating its potential use as a reliable marking methodology. We used capture-mark-recapture and controlled conditions (i.e. individuals kept in fauna boxes) to evaluate potential changes in the dorsal pattern of Hydromantes through time. We did not observe any change in the dorsal pattern in the three species during the study period. Photographic identification might be a useful marking technique for these endangered species. However, these animals are usually found in environments generally lacking light and thus, researchers must be careful in setting up proper light conditions to produce suitable pictures for individual identification of Hydromantes.

WOS: 000458882700003, PubMed ID: 30814904, This paper is the first in a series describing the previously unstudied cave spiders from Cyprus. Two new species, Dysderocnstes kibrisensis sp. n. and Harpactea kalavachiana sp. n., are described. Detailed morphological descriptions and diagnostic characteristics are presented. This is the first report of the genus Dysderocrates Deeleman-Reinhold & Deeleman, 1988 from Cyprus., European Union, Caves of Kyrenia Mountains Project: Research, Conservation, and Education through "Cypriot Civil Society in Action V Program" [2015/371-989]; US Embassy in Nicosia, This study was produced with the financial support of the European Union as part of the "Caves of Kyrenia Mountains Project: Research, Conservation, and Education through "Cypriot Civil Society in Action V Program" (contract number: 2015/371-989) and co-funded by the US Embassy in Nicosia. This research was led by Magara Meraklilari Dernegi (Cave Enthusiasts NGO) in Cyprus and the Union of International Speleology (UIS) in Slovenia. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. We are deeply indebted to Ferhat Altunsoy (Eskisehir, Turkey) and Mert Elverici (Ankara, Turkey) who photographed the holotypes of the new species. We also thank Yuri Marusik (Magadan, Russia) who kindly provided a photograph of the vulva of Harpactea parthica from Iran. We thank the anonymous reviewers for their careful reading of our manuscript and their many insightful comments and suggestions. The English of the final text was kindly checked by Sarah Crews (San Francisco, USA).

„Mali Šibenik - veliko bogatstvo podzemlja “(Mali Šibenik- great wonders of the underground) was a project that has been conducted during two expeditions in 2018. It was organised by the Breganja Association in conjunction with the SAK Ekstrem-Speleological Club from Makarska and the city of Vrgorac. The project was carried out in the hills above Vrgorac. During the expeditions, 21 new caves were discovered, thirteen of which have been speleologically investigated and eleven caves were surveyed. A great number of caves have shown a high biodiversity of subterranean fauna and pointed out a need for further exploration of this area. Although the deepest explored cave in this project is Bokšića Golubinka (-50.6 m), the more interesting fauna has been found in shallower caves. For diplopods and spiders, the most significant caves are Jama Malog Ulaza, Golubinka u Gaju, Antipatična, Rođendanska Jama, Ošlja Jama i Ančića Velika Golubinka in which potentially new species have been found. Results of this project were presented via a poster exhibition, the “Mali Šibenik- veliko bogatstvo podzemlja “at Croatian anannual Speleogathering in Ogulin (2018). Also, some educational presentations for high school students and interested public were held in the city of Vrgorac. The main goal of these presentations was to raise environmental awareness among general public, especially the local youth.

This paper documents the collembolan fauna of the Campanet cave, in the province of Mallorca (Balearic Islands). Sampling was carried out using pitfall traps baited with beer and checked every 15 days. The cave fauna included the following species: Coecobrya tenebricosa, Disparrhopalites patrizi, Entomobrya pazaristei, Neelus murinus and Dicyrtomina ornata. In addition, two new species were found and are described here: Pseudosinella grauae sp. nov. and Oncopodura siquierae sp. nov. The former is characterised by an unpigmented body, eyes absent, dorsal chaetotaxy R0R1R2001/31/0101+2, with accessory chaeta ‘s’ on Abd IV; all claws with three teeth; posterior chaetae on labial triangle as M1, M2, r, E, L1, L2, all ciliated except for r, a smooth microchaetae and smooth remaining anterior labial chaetae. O. siquierae sp. nov is typified by an unpigmented body; eyes absent; PAO as a single small vesicle; Ant IV with four distal leaf‑shaped sensilla and a basal pointed cylindrical chaeta; dens with one proximal inner spine, one distal inner tooth and a large disto-external hook‑like spine; and mucro with four teeth, the basal one distinctly pointed.

The state of cave research in Austria is outlined from the geological and zoological perspective. Geologic sections include the setting of karst regions, tectonic and palaeoclimatic control on karst, modern cave environments, and karst hydrology. A chapter on the development of Austrian biospeleology in the 20th century is followed by a survey of terrestrial underground habitats, biogeographic remarks, and an annotated selection of subterranean invertebrates.

With the nomination of the ‘Cave Animal of the Year’ the Society of German Cave and Karst Explorers calls public and authorities’ attention to the understudied biodiversity of subterranean ecosystems. Here the Cave Animal of the Year 2016, Amilenus aurantiacus (Simon, 1881), is presented. It is the first time that a harvestman has been chosen. Ist ecology, habitat and morphology are described. New records from Hesse, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia are listed and discussed.

Three new troglobitic Trechini from Southwestern Hubei, China (Coleoptera, Caraboidea, Trechidae). Description and illustration of one new subgenus and three new species of troglobitic Caraboidea Trechini discovered in the Hubei province, China : Minimaphaenops (Enshiaphaenops) senecali n. subgen., n. sp., Sinotroglodytes ariagnoi n. sp. and Cathaiaphaenops (Amygdalotrechus) lagredeae n. sp., Descriptions et illustrations d’un nouveau sous-genre et de trois nouvelles espèces troglobies de Caraboidea Trechini découverts dans la province du Hubei, en Chine : Minimaphaenops (Enshiaphaenops) senecali n. subgen., n. sp., Sinotroglodytes ariagnoi n. sp. et Cathaiaphaenops (Amygdalotrechus) lagredeae n. sp., Deuve Thierry. Trois nouveaux Trechini troglobies du Hubei sud-occidental, en Chine (Coleoptera, Caraboidea, Trechidae). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 121 (2),2016. pp. 129-135.

La Paz es un municipio del suroriente del departamento de Santander, ubicado en la región andina de Colombia, que posee una extensa red de sistemas subterráneos que no ha sido explorada satisfactoriamente a nivel bioespeleológico. Los autores confirmaron 21 ambientes hipogeos para esta zona del departamento, los cuales fueron valorados utilizando información secundaria y visitas de campo. Sin embargo, en este estudio se logró establecer que, a nivel local, se ignora la riqueza kárstica y biológica del municipio, lo cual se evidenció por la ausencia de este conocimiento en los habitantes que, en su mayoría, reconocen la existencia de solo dos cuevas (El Molino y El Indio). La información referente a fauna y flora asociada a estos ecosistemas es insuficiente y escasa; de igual forma, las entidades territoriales encargadas de la administración ambiental no reportaron estrategias de sensibilización ambiental con la comunidad, ni planes de acción o estrategias orientadas a conservación y uso de estos ambientes hipogeos. La Paz is a municipality located in the Southeast of the department of Santander, in the Andean region of Colombia, which has an extensive network of subterranean systems that has not been satisfactorily explored at the bio-speleological level. The authors confirmed 21 hypogean environments for this area of the department, which were assessed using secondary data and field visits. However, in this study it was established that karstic and biological richness in the municipality is ignored, which was evidenced by the absence of this knowledge in the local people, who mostly recognized the existence of only two caves (El Molino and El Indio). Information regarding fauna and flora associated with these ecosystems is insufficient and limited. Similarly, local authorities responsible for environmental management strategies reported no environmental awareness in the community, or action plans oriented to conservation and use of these hypogean environments.

Ischyropsalis hellwigii hellwigii in Niedźwiedzia Górna Cave on Częstochowa Upland. Ischyropsalis hellwigii hellwigii is a harvestman belonging to the suborder Dyspnoi. It is a rare species in Poland, known from the Sudety Mountains and one single emplacement in Ojców National Park situated on the southern part of Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. In 2012, in the northern part of Kraków-Częstochowa Upland near Złoty Potok, a new cave - Niedźwiedzia Górna - was discovered. During the research lead in this cave, one juvenile specimen was caught alive in a Barber’s trap in the first part of the cave. It is a new, isolated emplacement of this species in Poland and one of the most northerly point occurrences in Europe., {"references":["Jędrysik J., Kocot-Zalewska J., Polok M., Polonius A., Słupińska M., Tyc A., Wagner T., Zygmunt J. 2016. Jaskinia Niedźwiedzia Górna – wstępne wyniki prac dokumentacyjnych badawczych, In: Materiały 50 Sympozjum Speleologicznego, Urban J. (Ed.). Wyd. Sekcja Speleologiczna Polskiego Towarzystwa Przyrodników im. Kopernika, Warszawa, 114 pp.","Kocot-Zalewska J. 2017. Wstępne wyniki badań nad fauną bezkręgowców Jaskini Niedźwiedziej Górnej. VI Ogólnopolska Konferencja Młodych Naukowców ARTHROPOD, Katowice: 27 pp.","K ocot-Zalewska J., Słupińska M. 2017. Choleva lederiana gracilenta (Szymczakowski, 1957) w Jaskini Niedźwiedziej Górnej na Wyżynie Częstochowskiej, In: Materiały 51 Sympozjum Speleologicznego, Szczygieł J. Kicińska D. (Eds.), Zakopane: 72–73.","Kuczok W., Nowak J., Surmacz J. 2013. Jaskinia Niedźwiedzia Górna. Jaskinie 70: 24–27.","Martens J. 1978. Spinnentiere, Arachnida: Weberknechte, Opiliones. Die Tierwelt Deutschlands. Vol. 64. G. Fischer Verlag, Jena, 464 pp.","Rozwałka R. 2017. Kosarze (Opiliones) Polski. Wydawnictwo Salezjańskie, Kraków, 320 pp.","Sanocka-Wołoszynowa E. 1981. Badania pajęczaków (Aranei, Opiliones, Pseudoscorpionidae) jaskiń Wyżyny Krakowsko-Częstochowskiej. Acta Univeristatis Wratislavienis, N 548 (prace zoologiczne XI), Wrocław, 92 pp.","Sanocka-Wołoszyn E. 1973. Ischyropsalis hellwigi (Panzer, 1794) (Opiliones) z Ojcowskiego Parku Narodowego. Przegląd Zoologiczny 17: 49–52.","Schönhofer A.L. 2013. A taxonomic catalogue of the Dyspnoi Hansen and Sørensen, 1904 (Arachnida: Opiliones). Zootaxa 3679(1): 1–68."]}

Species can show a strong variation of local abundance across their ranges. Recent analyses suggested that variation in abundance can be related to environmental suitability, as the highest abundances are often observed in populations living in the most suitable areas. However, there is limited information on the mechanisms through which variation in environmental suitability determines abundance. We analyzed populations of the microendemic Monte Albo cave salamander Hydromantes (Speleomantes) flavus Stefani, 1969 (Plethodontidae), and tested several hypotheses on potential relationships linking environmental suitability to population parameters. For multiple populations across the whole species range, we assessed suitability using species distribution models and measured density, activity level, food intake, and body condition index. In high-suitability sites, the density of salamanders was up to 30 times higher than in the least suitable ones. Variation in activity levels and population performance can explain such variation of abundance. In high-suitability sites, salamanders were active close to the surface and showed a low frequency of empty stomachs. Furthermore, when taking into account seasonal variation, body condition was better in the most suitable sites. Our results show that the strong relationship between environmental suitability and population abundance can be mediated by the variation of parameters strongly linked to individual performance and fitness. Furthermore, we highlighted the potential use of cave animals as model species to answer macroecological questions.

Dracoaia Cave was known and visited by local people and tourists for a long time. The cave has an impressive entrance (15 × 12 m, width × height), which continues with a slightly ascending passage that ends after 150 m in a massive flowstone obstruction. The exploration activities conducted by Slovak cavers between 2002 and 2015 led to significant new discoveries in the cave, which now reaches 1963 m in length and a total vertical relief of 107 m. Cave consists of two levels of vadose canyon passages with sub-horizontal gradient, which are interconnected by steeply inclined meandering passages. Cave was formed by sinking streams draining from overlying non-karst Permian rocks. It hosts an endemic species of springtail, Megalothorax draco.

International audience; The scientific collaboration on karst and cave studies between Romania and France has started at the end of the 19th Century. The two countries have a long and strong background for cave exploration, karst sciences, Education and cave protection. As an explorer and scientist, the Biologist Emil Racoviță has a major contribution with the creation of the scientific disciplinary of the Biospeology and the Romanian Institute of Speleology. At the beginning of the 60’s France and Romania have developed strong national organizations for speleology. For thirty years they have built a strong network of scientific institution, non-governmental organizations, youth organization involved in the fields of the exploration studies, education and protection. From the 90’s, the collaboration between the 2 countries was enforced with the creation of the Romanian Federation of Speleology, after reunification of the different stakeholders. Different MOU have been installed to lead development axis and the partnership. The cooperation is actually at an European and international level under the auspice of the European Federation of Speleology and the International Union of Speleology.

A new species of the eutroglobiont gastropod taxon Zospeum Bourguignat, 1856 is described. Zospeum tholussum sp. n. is characterized based on a population from the Lukina Jama–Trojama cave system (Ve­lebit Mts., Croatia). A single living specimen occurred at 980 m depth. The species is morphologically related to Zospeum amoenum (Frauenfeld, 1856), but can be readily distinguished from the latter by the presence of a weak columellar fold and its dome-like structured 2nd whorl. DNA barcoding is capable to clearly delineate Z. tholussum from other Zospeum spp. as well.

Caves are not closed systems. Trophic dynamics in these habitats are driven by resource availability, and species that move between cave and outdoor environments may play a major role in resource availability. Spiders are among the most abundant invertebrates in caves; however, very few studies have tested factors hypothesized to affect the distribution of spiders among caves, and it is not known whether the trophic features of caves play a role in determining the occurrence, abundance, or breeding success of spiders. We assessed the distribution of the cave-dwelling orb-weaver spider Meta menardi in Italy, in a Mediterranean and in a Pre-alpine area during summer and winter. We analyzed the relationships between spider distribution and multiple cave features, describing both the abiotic and the biotic environment. Using visual encounter surveys, the detection probability of this species was high, indicating that this technique provides reliable information on spider distribution. In Mediterranean caves, spider presence was more likely in cold and wet caves with abundant dipterans. In Pre-alpine caves, spider presence was more likely in deep caves with abundant dipterans. Dipteran abundance was the variable best explaining spider distribution when pooling all sampled caves. This study shows that adults of M. menardi do not occur randomly among caves, but select caves with specific features. Prey availability and abiotic features are major determinants of habitat suitability for cave spiders. The strong relationship between spider distribution and prey availability suggests that the distribution of these spiders might be an indicator of the resources available in the twilight zones of caves.

The species of the genus Pseudoblothrus Beier, 1931 from Italy are revised. Two species are present in this area: P. peyerimhoffi (Simon, 1905) (Piedmont) and P. regalini Inzaghi, 1983 (Lombardy). The following synonymy is proposed: Pseudoblothrus ellingseni (Beier, 1929) is a junior subjective synonym of P. peyerimhoffi (Simon, 1905) (syn. nov.). A key to all species of the genus Pseudoblothrus is provided.

Caves offer a stable and protected environment from harsh and changing outside conditions. They lend living proof of the presence of minute life forms that delve deep within the earth’s crust where the possibility of life seems impossible. Devoid of all light sources and lacking the most common source of energy supplied through photosynthesis, the mysterious microbial kingdom in caves are consequently dependent upon alternative sources of energy derived from the surrounding atmosphere, minerals and rocks. There are a number of features that can be observed within a cave that may serve as evidence of microbial activity, for example, formation of biofilms comprised of multiple layers of microbial communities held together by protective gel-like polymers which form complex structures. Different bacterial biofilms can develop on the walls of the cave which can be visually distinguished by their colorations. Moreover, the pH generated by the metabolism of bacterial biofilm on the cave environment can lead to precipitation or dissolution of minerals in caves. Caves also offer an excellent scenario for studying biomineralization processes. The findings on the association of bacteria with secondary minerals as mentioned in this review will help to expand the existing knowledge in geomicrobiology and specifically on the influence of microorganisms in the formation of cave deposits. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge of biospeleology of caves and the associated bacterial biofilms. Recommendations for future research are mentioned to encourage a drift from qualitative studies to more experimental studies.

The cave-dwelling forms of the genus Neobisium L. koch comprise many phyletic lines, some less specialized and others highly adapted to cave life. To trace their origin, biogeography and evolution, it is necessary to compare the evidence about troglobitic species with that of the epigean forms from different European habitats, especially in the Mediterranean or Dinaric regions. In this study, descriptions of Neobisium crucis n. sp. and N. pluzinensis n. sp., both from caves in Montenegro, are presented, with some details on the comparative morphology and morphometric ratios. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 173038]

Intraspecific aggression is an important aspect of social behaviour that can significantly affect individual survivorship and population dynamics. Aggressiveness may be particularly important in food-deprived habitats, like caves, but few studies have investigated behavioural and ecological determinants of aggressiveness and cannibalism in cave vertebrates. In this study, we evaluated the role of density, competition for food, starvation and rearing history under cave-like conditions in promoting aggression. We performed a behavioural experiment on larvae collected from multiple underground springs and neighbouring streams, and we reared them under two different settings: total darkness and outdoor conditions. Intraspecific attacks were very scarce in hatchlings, and increased after 1 month. Starvation periods and high density clearly increased aggressiveness. Furthermore, aggressiveness strongly increased under competition conditions (presence of other larvae feeding). Aggressiveness increased with age more quickly in larvae from caves than in those from streams. Environmental features typically experienced by cave populations, such as starvation and high density, increase intraspecific attacks and might promote cannibalism. Strong plasticity for aggression may enhance the possibility to successfully colonize and exploit food-deprived environments where no other predators can survive, such as underground environments.

Three new anophthalmic cave-dwelling Trechidae from karstic areas of Guizhou and Zhejiang, China (Coleoptera, Caraboidea). Description of one new subgenus and three new species of troglobitic trechine beetles from China : Zhijinaphaenops jingliae n. sp. and Z. liuae n. sp., from Guizhou Province, and Cimmeritodes (Zhecimmerites) zhejiangensis n. subgen., n. sp., from Zhejiang Province., Descriptions d’un nouveau sous-genre et de trois nouvelles espèces de Coléoptères Trechini troglobies de Chine : Zhijinaphaenops jingliae n. sp. et Z. liuae n. sp., de la province du Guizhou, et Cimmeritodes (Zhecimmerites) zhejiangensis n. subgen., n. sp., de la province du Zhejiang., Deuve Thierry, Tian Ming-Yi. Trois nouveaux Trechidae troglobies anophtalmes des karsts du Guizhou et du Zhejiang, en Chine (Coleoptera, Caraboidea). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 120 (3),2015. pp. 397-402.