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At the age of the 6th extinction, there is an urgent need for conservation stakeholders and field biologists of an operational taxonomy, both for methods (taxonomic expertise) and concepts (checklists). In this work, I test the hypothesis that continental insularity, linked to the structure of the aquifers, whatever the considered scale, leads to the divergence of distinct evolutionary units. This hypothesis is tested by studying two models, the freshwater bivalves at the scale of France and the stygobite gastropods at the scale of the north-Montpellier karstic system. To achieve this, an operational taxonomy approach is developed for these two models, in order to allow setting up effective conservation measures. For these two groups characterized by an unstable taxonomy, morphometric, genetic and biogeographic approaches are developed, in an integrative taxonomy framework. New genetic data allow clarifying the taxonomy and provide a new perspective on the existing conservation units. For the naiads, the results indicate that diversity is overestimated and that geographical barriers play a minor role in distribution of the taxa, which seem to be linked to environmental parameters. On the contrary, the diversity of the stygobite gastropods is largely underestimated and evolutionary units are linked to the hydrogeological units. Environmental variables do not seem to influence the distribution of these species. These contrasted results show that the structure of the diversity differs depending on the taxonomic group and the geographic scale considered, and raise the question of the impact of human activities on the distribution of the naïads. Conservation politics should take into account these integrative taxonomy approaches to (i) define adequately the biological units that should benefit from conservation efforts and (ii) set up these measures at an adequate geographic scale.; A l'âge de la 6° extinction, il y a un besoin urgent pour les acteurs de la conservation et pour les biologistes de terrain de pouvoir s'appuyer sur une taxonomie qui soit opérationnelle, à la fois dans les méthodes (expertise taxonomique) et dans les concepts (listes de références). Dans ce travail, je teste l'hypothèse selon laquelle le contexte d'insularité continentale produit par la structure des aquifères, quelqu'en soit l'échelle, favoriserait l'émergence d'unités évolutives distinctes. Cette hypothèse est testée en étudiant deux modèles, les bivalves à l'échelle de la France métropolitaine et les gastéropodes stygobies à l'échelle des systèmes karstiques du nord-montpelliérain. Pour cela, une approche de taxonomie opérationnelle est développée pour les deux modèles, dans l'optique de permettre leur prise en compte effective dans les mesures de conservation. Pour ces deux groupes à la taxonomie instable, des approches morphométriques, génétiques et biogéographiques sont développées, dans un cadre de taxonomie intégrative. Les données génétiques inédites permettent de clarifier la taxonomie et apportent un nouveau regard sur les unités de gestion existantes. Les résultats pour les naïades indiquent que la diversité est surévaluée et que les barrières géographiques jouent un faible rôle dans la distribution des taxons, laquelle semble essentiellement liée aux variables environnementales. Pour les gastéropodes stygobies au contraire, la diversité est largement sousestimée et les unités évolutives sont liées aux unités hydrogéologiques. Les variables environnementales ne semblent pas influencer la répartition des taxons. Ces résultats contrastés montrent que la diversité se structure différemment selon le groupe taxonomique et l'échelle géographique considérés, et posent la question de l'impact qu'auraient pu avoir les activités humaines sur la distribution des naïades. Les politiques de conservations doivent donc intégrer ces approches de taxonomie intégrative pour (i) définir correctement les unités biologiques qui doivent bénéficier d'efforts de conservation et (ii) mettre en place ces mesures à une échelle géographique adaptée.

Entries include: Africa, South: Archaeological Caves Art in Caves: History Australia: Biospeleology Biodiversity in Terrestrial Cave Habitats Cave Minerals Chemistry of Natural Karst Waters Dating of Karst Landforms Disease Environmental Impact Assessment Exploration Societies Films in Caves Folklore and Mythology Human Occupation of Caves Karst Evolution Literature: Caves in Fiction Military Uses of Caves Music about and in Caves Organisms: Classification Paleontology: Animal Remains in Caves Recreational Caving Religious Sites Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Subterranean Ecology Tourism and Caves: History Villa Luz, Cueva de, Mexico Volcanic Caves World Heritage Sites and many more.

With the exception of an isolated reference to a cave fish in China in 1540 (Chen et al., 1994), the first phase of zoological discovery in caves really began in the 18th and early 19th century with the amphibian Proteus anguinus (mentioned by Valvasor, 1689, but described scientifically by Laurenti, 1768) and the beetle Leptodirus hochenwartii (Schmidt, 1832). These discoveries, and a great number of others, were made in the Slovenian region of Kras (= Carso, or Karst), the region which gave its name to the geomorphological phenomenon of karst. Kras is located in the northwestern Dinarides, or Dinaric Alps. This was followed by the earliest discoveries of cave animals in other parts of the world (in the Caucasus, the Appalachians, the Pyrenees, and New Zealand), in the middle of the 19th century. Thanks to this history (Belles, 1992; Sket, 1996), the “classical Karst” won its appellation as the “cradle of speleobiology” (biospeleology). The Slovenian karst is a part of the wider Dinaric karst region, which in turn is the main karstic region of the western Balkans. By chance, the earliest finds of interstitial aquatic animals, which represent another type of subterranean fauna, were also made in this part of the world. These latter discoveries were made during the research of S. Karaman in the 1930s in Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM), on sites located mainly along the river Vardar. It became evident later that these early phases of discovery had both taken place in a region which is particularly rich in cave and interstitial aquatic fauna.

Explanations for the phenotypical features resulting from colonization of subterranean environments have always been a source of controversy. Although a great number of cave organisms are blind, they nevertheless display responses to light. The interpretation of this phototactic responsiveness in cave-dwelling animals may provide clues on the general issue of evolution of behavior in parallel with specialized structures. We studied the phototactic responses in two amblyopsid fishes of North America and found responses to light only in the species reported to have a functional pineal organ. Our findings are consistent with the hypotheses that (1) adaptation to the cave environment is a gradual process and (2) responsiveness to light in cave fishes may best be understood as a relict character, one that exists in an environment where it may never be expressed.

The presence of an endemic cyclopoid fauna in anchihaline caves is confirmed in this paper after the discovery of two new genera of cyclopinids in caves of the Canary and Balearic Islands.Oromiina fortunatasp. nov. is described from a flooded lava tube in Lanzarote; it is characterized by the extraordinary length attained by the antennae.Ginesia longicaudatasp. nov. is described from a flooded karstic cave in Mallorca. The body is ornamented dorsally with conspicuous integumental outgrowths, and along the lateral margins of both the cephalosome and the second pedigerous somite of male, by a linear array of pores. The new taxa are most closely related to forms found in the shallow water hyperbenthos, although one trait ofGinesiasuggest an affinity with deep water taxa since, for example, the linear arrays of pores were previously known only inCyclopicinawithin the Cyclopinidae. A key to the 37 genera of the family Cyclopinidae is presented.

We demonstrate how a classical taxonomic description of a new species can be enhanced by applying new generation molecular methods, and novel computing and imaging technologies. A cave-dwelling centipede, Eupolybothrus cavernicolus Komerički & Stoev sp. n. (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae), found in a remote karst region in Knin, Croatia, is the first eukaryotic species for which, in addition to the traditional morphological description, we provide a fully sequenced transcriptome, a DNA barcode, detailed anatomical X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) scans, and a movie of the living specimen to document important traits of its ex-situ behaviour. By employing micro-CT scanning in a new species for the first time, we create a high-resolution morphological and anatomical dataset that allows virtual reconstructions of the specimen and subsequent interactive manipulation to test the recently introduced ‘cybertype’ notion. In addition, the transcriptome was recorded with a total of 67,785 scaffolds, having an average length of 812 bp and N50 of 1,448 bp (see GigaDB). Subsequent annotation of 22,866 scaffolds was conducted by tracing homologs against current available databases, including Nr, SwissProt and COG. This pilot project illustrates a workflow of producing, storing, publishing and disseminating large data sets associated with a description of a new taxon. All data have been deposited in publicly accessible repositories, such as GigaScience GigaDB, NCBI, BOLD, Morphbank and Morphosource, and the respective open licenses used ensure their accessibility and re-usability.

This is the first study which evaluated the influence of cave size and presence of bat guano in ant visitation in Brazilian caves. We provide a list of the ants associated with 27 caves in northeastern Brazil, an area situated in the transition between Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) and Amazon Domain. The study was conducted between January and August 2010. We recorded 24 ant species inserted into 12 genera, 10 tribes, and six subfamilies. The size of the cave and the presence of guano did not influence the richness of ants, and most of the caves had single species. Camponotus atriceps was the species with the larger distribution, being collected in five caves. In addition, we discuss geographic distribution of records and possible ecological roles of ants in cave environments.

Description of a new troglobitic Jujiroa from Sichuan (Coleoptera, Caraboidea). A new microphtalmic cave-dwelling carabid beetle, Jujiroa lingguanensis n. sp., is described from Baoxing Valley in Sichuan (China). The single known specimen has the largest size (length : 19.5 mm) in the genus Jujiroa Uéno, 1952., Un nouveau Carabique cavernicole microphtalme, Jujiroa lingguanensis n. sp., est décrit de la vallée de Baoxing, dans le Sichuan (Chine). L’unique spécimen connu présente la plus grande taille (longueur : 19,5 mm) répertoriée dans le genre Jujiroa Uéno, 1952., Deuve Thierry, Pütz Andreas. Description d’une nouvelle Jujiroa cavernicole du Sichuan (Coleoptera, Caraboidea). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 118 (3),2013. pp. 341-342.

An unusually rich cave fauna of 41 species is reported from a 20-m stretch of a shallow groundwater stream in Western Australia. Epigean waters do not occur upstream of the cave and, downstream, cave waters emerge at the surface after flowing about 100 m through a system of limestone caverns and collapses. Most of the aquatic cavernicoles collected from the cave stream, therefore, appear to be confined to the subterranean realm. Potential food sources for the aquatic fauna of the cave were investigated. Inputs of dissolved organic matter, surface debris, cadavers, and guano into the cave stream were lacking or too small to provide sufficient energy for the abundant aquatic cavernicoles. Aquatic root mats were shown to be the only substantial source of food available. They belong to the native tree Eucalyptus gomphocephala and consist of fine, highly branched, feeder rootlets growing in mycorrhizal association with fungi. Most of the animals, both in terms of density and species number, also occur in the submerged root mats. At least some of the aquatic cavernicoles graze directly on the living rootlets, some feed on root mat detritus, and others are predatory. We propose that tree roots provide an important source of energy for subterranean fauna in shallow groundwaters both in Australia and elsewhere.

Three troglobiontic species of Anurida Laboulbene, i.e. A. troglodyta sp. nov., A. decipiens Yosii, 1966, and A. plurichaetotica Yosii, 1966, were found in limestone caves of Korea during recent investigation. The new species, A. troglodyta sp. nov., is characterized by morel-like PAO having more than 100 vesicles and by having 16–17 sensilla on antennal segment IV. It is most similar to A. plurichaetotica , A. okamotoi Yosii, 1970, and A. irieti Yosii, 1970 also possessing several macrochaetae on dorsal side of a head, but can easily be distinguished by characteristic PAO and the absence of macrochaetae in p1-position on abdominal tergum V. A. decipiens is redescribed based on new material from the cave of the types’ origin.

This is the first study which evaluated the influence of cave size and presence of bat guano in ant visitation in Brazilian caves. We provide a list of the ants associated with 27 caves in northeastern Brazil, an area situated in the transition between Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) and Amazon Domain. The study was conducted between January and August 2010. We recorded 24 ant species inserted into 12 genera, 10 tribes, and six subfamilies. The size of the cave and the presence of guano did not influence the richness of ants, and most of the caves had single species. Camponotus atriceps was the species with the larger distribution, being collected in five caves. In addition, we discuss geographic distribution of records and possible ecological roles of ants in cave environments.

Krubera-Voronya cave and other deep systems in Arabika Massif are being explored during many speleological expeditions. A recent Ibero-Russian exploration expedition (summer of 2010) took place in this cave with the aim of providing a study of the biocenosis of the deepest known cave in the world. Four new species of Collembola were found at different depths: Schaefferia profundissima n. sp., Anurida stereoodorata n. sp., Deuteraphorura kruberaensis n. sp., and Plutomurus ortobalaganensis n. sp., the last one at -1980 m deep. The identification and description of the new species have required the careful study of all congeneric species, implying a revision of each genus. As a result of this work tables and keys to all significant characters for each species are presented.

The Postojna Cave System is the longest (20,570 m long; 115 m deep) known cave in the classic karst of Slovenia. The term “karst” is derived from this region. The Postojna Cave is connected to the Planina Cave (6.656 km long; 65 m deep) by unknown passages. There remains about 2,000 m unexplored separation, although an underground water connection has been known since the explorations of Gruber in 1781. The train for visitors was installed in 1872 and from 1884 the cave had electricity. The first printed guidebook was written by Agapito in 1823 but the oldest inscriptions on the cave walls date from the 13 th and 14 th centuries. In 1818 Luka Cec discovered new parts of the cave and this is the official year of discovery of the tourist section of the Postojna Cave System. Since 1819 about 30 million tourists have visited the Postojna Cave. The cave system is the cradle of speleobiology.

Šipun is one of the first mentioned anchialine caves in the world, located in the region of Dubrovnik in Croatia. During more than 100 years of research, over 100 taxa were detected, 38 of them troglobitic, with 18 taxa described from the cave. Some anchialine ecological features were first described in this cave. During recent biospeleological research in the period of 2000–2012 by members of the Croatian Biospeleological Society, the first complete cave sketch was finished, and much ecological and taxonomical research were performed. The cave is endangered due to human activities, but also vulnerable due to the fragility of karst substrate. A management plan, it is suggested, is necessary for adequate cave administration and protection.

Three new species of cavernicolous Collembola belonging to genera Pygmarrhopalites and Oncopodura from five cavesat El Maestrazgo (Teruel, Spain) are described: Pygmarrhopalites maestrazgoensis sp. nov., P. cantavetulae sp. nov. and Oncopodura fadriquei Jordana & Baquero sp. nov. In addition five other species have been found in the same caves: Heteromurus nitidus (Templeton, 1836), Pseudosinella encrusae Gisin & Gama, 1969 (second record of the species), Megalothorax minimus Willem, 1900, Protaphorura aconae Arbea & Jordana 1994 (second record of the species), and Schaefferia decemoculata (Stach, 1939) (sensu: Thibaud 1970). The explorations of cave fauna in these cavities has beencarried out by the "Associacio Catalana de Bioespeleologia” under the sponsorship of CEMAT (Centro de Estudios del Maestrazgo Turolense).

A selection of the most representative distribution patterns of stygobiont animals is presented. The range of a genus may extend beyond the Dinaride karst, while some species exhibit a holo-Dinaric distribution. The mero-Dinaric distribution is organised in two vicarious centres (in the NW and SE) as well as an epilittoral and a paralittoral belt. The paralittoral distribution is a result of paleogeographic rather than present-day ecological conditions. Important differences between the interstitial faunas of Slovenia (and NE Italy) and Macedonia are probably the result of their different sources. Some other distribution patterns are discussed or summarized from the existing literature. The distribution patterns of this stygobiont fauna are extremely diverse, and are influenced by the geological complexity of the territory as well as by the richness of the fauna concerned. New distribution data for some Copepoda, Thermosbaenacea, and Amphipoda are appended.

[eng] Until very recently, most of the caves in Mallorca were considered to be of epigenic origin, where the endokarst phenomena was mainly originated by the circulation of meteoric waters carrying biogenic CO2, and by different speleogenetic mechanisms associated to the littoral mixing zone along with extensive breakdown processes. The breakthroughs achieved along the last years have contributed not only to identify new morphologies, but also to distinguish a new speleogenetic process hitherto unknown in Mallorca: the hypogenic speleogenesis, related to a water recharge of deep origin. To address challenging questions regarding with it, a detailed investigation of suspicious caves harbouring hypogenic evidences was carried out, yielding unexpected data. In this paper, special attention is given to the morphological signs found predominantly in caves located within the south-western sector of Migjorn karst region and surrounding area. The following morphologies have been documented: a morphologic suite of rising flow integrated by feeders, rising wall channels and outlets; dead ends; partitions; the associations of cave rims–vents and bubble trails–folia; as well as likely condensation-corrosion features in the form of bellholes and small subspherical chambers., [cat] Fins fa pocs anys es considerava que la majoria de les cavitats de Mallorca tenien un origen epigènic, en el que les formes endocàrstiques estaven relacionades principalment amb la infiltració d’aigües meteòriques que portaven en dissolució CO2 d’origen biogènic, i també amb diferents mecanismes espeleogenètics associats a la zona litoral de mescla d’aigües i a importants processos d’esfondrament i reajustament de les voltes. Les noves troballes realitzades en els darrers anys han servit no tan sols per identificar noves formes, sinó que també ens han permès distingir un nou mecanisme espeleogenètic, desconegut fins a la data a Mallorca: l’espeleogènesi hipogènica, relacionada amb una recàrrega hídrica d’origen profund. Amb l’objectiu d’aclarir els possibles dubtes relacionats amb aquesta temàtica, es va dur a terme una recerca detallada a aquelles cavitats susceptibles de presentar evidències dels esmentats processos, donant aquestes investigacions uns resultats inesperats. En aquest treball es posarà un èmfasi especial en les evidències morfològiques, trobades en la seva major part en cavitats situades al sector sudoccidental de la regió càrstica del Migjorn de Mallorca i la seva àrea circumdant. Les formes que s’han documentat són les següents: conjunts morfològics de flux ascendent formats per punts d’alimentació (feeders), canals ascendents de paret (rising wall channels), i punts de descàrrega (outlets); galeries cegues (dead ends); envans de roca (partitions); els binomis tovera–respirador i canals de desgasificació (bubble trails)–folia; així com possibles evidències de processos de condensació-corrosió en forma de cúpules (bell-holes) i petites sales subesfèriques., [spa] Hasta hace pocos años, se consideraba que la mayoría de las cavidades de Mallorca tenían un origen epigénico, donde las formas endokársticas estaban relacionadas principalmente con la infiltración de aguas meteóricas llevando en disolución CO2 de origen biogénico, así como con diferentes mecanismos espeleogenéticos asociados a la zona litoral de mezcla de aguas y a importantes procesos de hundimiento y reajuste de bóvedas. Los descubrimientos realizados a lo largo de los últimos años han servido no solo para identificar nuevas morfologías, sino que también han permitido distinguir un nuevo mecanismo espeleogenético, desconocido hasta la fecha en Mallorca: la espeleogénesis hipogénica, relacionada con una recarga hídrica de origen profundo. Con el objetivo de aclarar las dudas relacionadas con este tema, se llevó a cabo una investigación detallada de aquellas cavidades que pudieran contener evidencias de los citados procesos, dando unos resultados inesperados. En este artículo se pone un énfasis especial en las evidencias morfológicas, halladas mayoritariamente en cavidades situadas en el sector sudoccidental de la región kárstica del Migjorn y en su área circundante. Las morfologías que se han documentado son las siguientes: conjuntos morfológicos de flujo ascendente formados por puntos de alimentación (feeders), canales ascendentes de pared (rising wall channels), y puntos de descarga (outlets); galerías ciegas (dead ends); tabiques de roca (partitions); los binomios tobera–respiradero y canales de desgasificación (bubble trails)–folia; así como posibles evidencias de procesos de condensación-corrosión en forma de cúpulas (bell-holes) y pequeñas salas subesfèricas.

As part of continuous sequence of Cretaceous limestones and dolomites, in the central part of Vis Island, quartz sand deposits are found. “Quartz sands” locally called vora, represent a solid or a friable material composed dominantly of quartz and some chalcedony. These sand deposits, developed as two separate beds, 1-6 meters thick, have been mined since the beginning of the 19th century because of the characteristic white color and were used for glass production by the famous glass factory in Murano. Numerous evidences of mining activities can be found north of Kostrina village (Veliki rudnik mine, Mali rudnik mine, Špilja od Vore cave, Tor rudnik mine). These mines represent combination of underground constructions, mines and natural karst caves (e.g. Veliki rudnik mine, Špilja od Vore Cave). During speleological and biospeleological investigations of these objects interesting endemic fauna was found, same as bat colonies. This further emphasized their uniqueness, and, in addition, Špilja od Vore cave represents cave type locality of Croatian fauna. Vora mines are an exceptionally interesting part of Croatian, Dinaric, but also Mediterranean geoheritage and they should be properly preserved. With proper and viable care, in the future they can be represented as a cave/mine park and thus can be used for the natural and cultural promotion, educational purposes and tourism activities.

[eng] This paper discusses the aquatic troglobiontic taxa discovered mostly since 1987 in the Balearic Islands, with some brief comments, if appropriate, on its general distribution pattern. At the same time, some mention is made about species from the interstitial environment. The last two decades have represented a qualitative leap in the knowledge of the aquatic fauna from the coastal caves of the Balearic Islands, thanks to advances in taxonomy conducted by two local renowned zoologists: Damià Jaume and Joan Lluís Pretus. The description of numerous endemic species, including thalasso-stygobiontic organisms (marine aquatic troglobionts), has experienced a really remarkable growth. The task of speleo-divers, exploring the underwater caves of the archipelago, has allowed the discovery of completely drowned underground systems with huge and unexpected dimensions. In this manner, the faunistic researches have not been limited to the cave pools, but also to underwater passages whose depths exceed 30 m, developing even kilometres away from the cave entrances. The main contribution, besides the discovery of some new genus and species, has been exploring, surveying and studying these habitats. Groundwaters, either occupying the marine interstitial environment or located inland and accessible only by caves and wells, as well as those in river-beds and floodplains (hyporheic environment) tend, by their relative isolation, to host a large number of endemic species. A lot of them belong to primitive lineages, often unknown at the surface, and they should be considered as phylogenetic or biogeographic relics. It is, therefore, an extremely relevant fauna both from the scientific point of view as well as regarding conservation. Finally, the faunistic register from anchialine and freshwater cavehabitats of the Balearic Islands is presented, together with the inventory of strictly subterranean species of crustaceans., [cat] En aquest treball es comenten els tàxons aquàtics exclusivament subterranis descoberts principalment d’ençà de 1987 a les Illes Balears, amb alguna breu observació, si escau, sobre el seu patró de distribució general. També es fa alguna menció d’espècies del medi intersticial. Les dues darreres dècades han suposat un salt qualitatiu en el coneixement de la fauna aquàtica de les coves costaneres de les Illes Balears, gràcies als avenços taxonòmics que portaren a terme dos zoòlegs illencs: Damià Jaume i Joan Lluís Pretus. La descripció de nombroses espècies endèmiques, incloent-hi organismes talassoestigobis (troglobis aquàtics marins), ha experimentat un espectacular creixement. La tasca dels espeleòlegs especialitzats en l’exploració de les cavitats submergides ha permès descobrir sistemes subterranis totalment submergits de dimensions inesperades i gegantines. Això ha fet que es prospectàs no només els llacs de les cavitats, sinó també les galeries sotaiguades fins a fondàries superiors als 30 m i a distàncies quilomètriques de les entrades. La principal aportació, a més a més de la troballa d’alguns nous gèneres i espècies, ha estat la d’explorar, topografiar i estudiar aquests hàbitats. Les aigües subterrànies, tant les que ocupen el medi intersticial marí com les que es troben situades terra endins, accessibles únicament per coves i pous, o les de llits de rius i planes al·luvials (medi hiporreic) acostumen, per llur relatiu aïllament, a hostatjar un bon nombre d’endemismes. Molts pertanyen a llinatges primitius, sovint desconeguts a la superfície, i cal considerar-los com relíquies filogenètiques o biogeogràfiques. Es tracta, doncs, d’una fauna extremament rellevant des del punt de vista científic, a més del de la conservació. Finalment es comenta el catàleg faunístic de les cavitats amb hàbitats anquihalins i amb hàbitats dolçaquícoles de les Balears i l’inventari de les espècies estrictament subterrànies de crustacis., [spa] En este trabajo se comentan los taxones acuáticos exclusivamente subterráneos descubiertos principalmente desde 1987 en las Islas Baleares, con alguna breve observación, si procede, sobre su patrón de distribución general. También se hace alguna mención de especies del medio intersticial. Las dos últimas décadas han supuesto un salto cualitativo en el conocimiento de la fauna acuática de las cuevas costeras de las Islas Baleares, gracias a los avances taxonómicos que llevaron a cabo dos zoólogos isleños: Damià Jaume y Joan Lluís Pretus. La descripción de numerosas especies endémicas, incluyendo organismos talassoestigobiontes (troglobios acuáticos marinos), ha experimentado un espectacular crecimiento. La tarea de los espeleólogos especializados en la exploración de las cavidades sumergidas ha permitido descubrir sistemas subterráneos totalmente inundados de dimensiones inesperadas y gigantescas. Esto ha hecho que se prospectase no sólo los lagos de las cavidades, sino también las galerías subacuáticas hasta profundidades superiores a los 30 m y a distancias kilométricas de las entradas. La principal aportación, además del hallazgo de algunos nuevos géneros y especies, ha sido la de explorar, topografiar y estudiar estos hábitats. Las aguas subterráneas, tanto las que ocupan el medio intersticial marino como las que se encuentran situadas tierra adentro, accesibles únicamente por cuevas y pozos, o las de los lechos de ríos y llanuras aluviales (medio hiporreico) acostumbran, por su relativo aislamiento, a albergar un buen número de endemismos. Muchos pertenecen a linajes primitivos, a menudo desconocidos en la superficie, y hay que considerarlos como reliquias filogenéticas o biogeográficas. Se trata, pues, de una fauna extremadamente relevante desde el punto de vista científico, además del de la conservación. Finalmente se comenta el catálogo faunístico de las cavidades con hábitats anquihalinos y con hábitats dulceacuícolas de las Baleares y el inventario de las especies estrictamente subterráneas de crustáceos.

[eng] In Mallorca Island, the genesis of caves and solutional morphologies that characterize the eogenetic endokarst of the littoral fringe attain particular intensity within the Upper Miocene carbonate rocks. Dissolution processes occur preferentially in the mixing zone between freshwater –of meteoric origin– and marine waters, all along the coastal areas. The submerged passages and chambers, existing in the caves of Migjorn and Llevant regions of the island, show a high diversity of solutional features that are categorized into four groups according to their dimensions, the forms they present and the genetic processes involved. The resulting morphologies are conditioned by the existence of significant lithological differences, of textural character, within the Upper Miocene calcarenites where caves develop, due to environmental variations between the reef front facies and those corresponding to lagoon facies. The difficulties encountered when cataloguing and systematizing the primary morphologies should be, so often, attributed to the difficulty in ascribing solutional features to a certain typology, as there are juxtapositions of different classes, with intermediate forms and different degrees of intensity in the process of dissolution. At the same time, variations in the size of solutional morphologies also increase their difficulty of classification. The inventory of forms has been structured into 4 different categories: megaforms (organization of the cave systems), macroforms (morphologies from hectometric to decametric order), mesoforms (morphologies from decametric to metric order) and microforms (morphologies from metric by centimetric order). Some of the morphologies can be found simultaneously in two different categories., [cat] La gènesi de les cavitats i de les morfologies de corrosió, que presenta l’endocarst eogenètic de la franja litoral de Mallorca, es produeix amb especial intensitat dintre dels materials del Miocè superior. Els processos de dissolució es donen preferentment a la zona de mescla entre les aigües dolces, de procedència meteòrica, i les aigües marines a l’anomenada zona de mescla costanera (coastal mixing zone). Les galeries i sales submergides de les cavitats del llevant i migjorn de l’illa presenten una gran variabilitat de formes de corrosió que són catalogades en quatre grans grups en funció de les seves dimensions, les formes que presenten i els processos genètics implicats. Aquestes morfologies venen condicionades per l’existència d’importants diferències litològiques de caràcter textural dins les calcarenites del Miocè superior a on es desenvolupen les cavitats, degudes a la variació ambiental entre les fàcies de front d’escull i de lagoon. Les dificultats per catalogar i sistematitzar les morfologies primàries rau, molt sovint, en la dificultat d’atribuir les morfologies de corrosió a una determinada tipologia, ja que es presenten juxtaposicions de diferents classes, amb formes intermèdies i diferents gradacions d’intensitat en el procés de la dissolució. També les variacions de mida de les morfologies suposa un increment en la dificultat de classificació. El catàleg de formes s’ha estructurat en 4 categories diferents: megaformes (organització de les xarxes endocàrstiques), macroformes (morfologies d’ordre hectomètric a decamètric), mesoformes (morfologies d’ordre decamètric a mètric) i microformes (morfologies d’ordre mètric a centimètric). Algunes de les morfologies es poden trobar a la vegada en dues categories diferents., [spa] La génesis de las cavidades y de las morfologías de corrosión, que presenta el endokarst eogenético de la franja litoral de Mallorca, se produce con especial intensidad dentro de los materiales del Mioceno superior. Los procesos de disolución se dan preferentemente en la zona de mezcla entre las aguas dulces, de procedencia meteórica, y las aguas marinas en la llamada zona de mezcla costera (coastal mixing zone). Las galerías y salas sumergidas de las cavidades del Llevant y Migjorn de la isla presentan una gran variabilidad de formas de corrosión que son catalogadas en cuatro grandes grupos en función de sus dimensiones, las formas que presentan y los procesos genéticos implicados. Las morfologías resultantes vienen condicionadas por la existencia de importantes diferencias litológicas de carácter textural dentro de las calcarenitas del Mioceno superior en donde se desarrollan las cavidades, debidas a la variación ambiental entre las facies de frente arrecifal y las de lagoon. Las dificultades para catalogar y sistematizar las morfologías primarias se deben, muy a menudo, a la dificultad de atribuir las morfologías de corrosión a una determinada tipología, puesto que se presentan yuxtaposiciones de diferentes clases, con formas intermedias y diferentes gradaciones de intensidad en el proceso de la disolución. También las variaciones de dimensiones de las morfologías supone un incremento de la dificultad de clasificación. El catálogo de formas se ha estructurado en 4 categorías diferentes: megaformas (organización de las redes endokársticas), macroformas (morfologías de orden hectométrico a decamétrico), mesoformas (morfologías de orden decamétrico a métrico) y microformas (morfologías de orden métrico a centimétrico). Algunas de las morfologías se pueden encontrar a la vez en dos categorías diferentes.

[eng] Caves in the Balearics are renowned by its remarkable scenic values due to the great variety and abundance of carbonate speleothems, whose mineralogy is mainly composed by calcite being aragonite relegated to a second place. Other minerals are also represented but in a very minority way, such as gypsum. This situation is due to the monotonous carbonate lithology that characterizes the Balearics geology. The mineral monotony is counterweighted by the utmost morphological diversity showed by the speleothems, being caused by diverse genetic processes and influenced by climatic as well as temporary factors. The following types of cave crystallizations are distinguished: dripping water speleothems, flowing water speleothems, capillarity speleothems, vadose subaqueous speleothems and littoral phreatic speleothems. On the other hand, a wide range of uncommon minerals have been identified linked to the hypogenic processes documented in southern Mallorca, which are related to a deep seated recharge connected with the geothermal anomalies existing in the area. The presence of bat populations in some caves results in a specific series of phosphate minerals., [cat] Les cavitats de les Balears es caracteritzen per presentar un elevat grau d’ornamentació, consistent en una gran variació de dipòsits d’espeleotemes que presenten de forma quasi exclusiva una mineralogia carbonatada en la que la calcita és el mineral predominant, quedant en un segon terme l’aragonita. Altres minerals hi són presents, però ja de forma molt minoritària, entre els que hi destaca el guix. Aquest fet és el resultat de la monòtona litologia carbonatada que caracteritza la geologia de les Illes Balears. Aquesta monotonia mineral es veu compensada per l’extrema diversitat morfològica que presenten els espeleotemes, i que és deguda al seu procés genètic i als factors climàtics i temporals en els quals s’han originat. S’hi descriuen espeleotemes de degoteig, espeleotemes de flux, espeleotemes produïts per capil·laritat, espeleotemes subaquàtics d’origen vadós i espeleotemes subaquàtics d’origen freàtic costaner. Per altra part, dins d’aquesta monotonia carbonatada, i en relació amb els processos d’hipogènesi lligats a les estructures tectòniques distensives presents al Migjorn de Mallorca, tenim tota una sèrie de minerals molt poc comuns relacionats amb l’aportació de determinats elements en solució per part de les aigües hipogèniques profundes. L’existència d’activitat biològica, normalment de ratapinyades, a l’interior de les coves dóna lloc a la presència de determinats minerals fosfatats., [spa] Las cavidades de Baleares se caracterizan por presentar un elevado grado de ornamentación, consistente en una gran variedad de depósitos de espeleotemas que presentan de forma casi exclusiva una mineralogía carbonatada en la que la calcita es el mineral predominante, quedando en segundo término el aragonito. Están también presentes otros minerales de forma muy minoritaria, destacando entre estos el yeso. Este hecho se debe a la monótona litología carbonatada que caracteriza la geología de las Islas Baleares. Dicha monotonía mineral se ve compensada por la extrema diversidad morfológica que presentan los espeleotemas, y que se debe a sus procesos genéticos y a los factores climáticos y temporales en los cuales se han formado. Se describen espeleotemas de goteo, espeleotemas de flujo, espeleotemas producidos por capilaridad, espeleotemas subacuáticos de origen vadoso y espeleotemas subacuáticos de origen freático costero. Por otra parte, dentro de esta monotonía carbonatada, y ligados a los procesos hipogénicos asociados a las estructuras tectónicas distensivas presentes en la zona meridional de Mallorca, hay toda una serie de minerales muy poco comunes relacionados con el aporte de determinados elementos en disolución por parte de las aguas hipogénicas profundas. La presencia de actividad biológica, normalmente murciélagos, en el interior de las cavidades da lugar a determinados minerales fosfatados.

[EN] Five species of the genus Siagona Latreille 1804 (Carabidae: Siagoninae) are known from Morocco. Siagona taggadertensis n. sp., a remarkable species of Carabidae from a Moroccan cave is described. This insect is spectacular by its large size (one of the largest species of the genus), its external morphology, which isolates it from all the north african representant of the genus, and for the conditions of its discovery: its only known from the remains of six specimens, all of them found in the cave of Taggadert, western Atlas. Hypotheses concerning the ecology of this species are discussed., [FR] Le genre Siagona Latreille 1804 (Carabidae: Siagoninae), compte 5 espèces au Maroc. Siagona taggadertensis n. sp., remarquable espèce collectée dans une grotte marocaine est décrite. Cet insecte est spectaculaire tant par sa grande taille, sa morphologie externe qui l’isole au premier coup d’oeil des représentants nord africains du genre Siagona, que par les conditions de sa découverte : aucun des spécimens n’ont été collectés en dehors de la grotte de Taggadert, Atlas occidental. Des hypothèses concernant l’écologie de cette espèce sont fournies., AF was supported by a postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

[eng] A typological classification of the caves and shafts in the Balearic Islands is presented in this paper, with the aim of update the knowledge on the morphogenetics of endokarst in the archipelago and incorporating the explorations and discoveries carried out during the last decades. After a brief overview about the classificatory attempts of subterranean cavities in our islands, a systematization on the basis of hydrogeological and speleogenetic criteria is proposed, establishing four main categories as follows: 1) vertical shafts in the vadose zone, 2) caves of the vadose zone, 3) inland phreatic caves, and 4) caves of the littoral fringe. Within these categories, up to ten cavity types corresponding to well-differentiated genetic modalities are distinguished, together with five additional subtypes that designate specific morphological singularities branching from a given typology. The geographical distribution of the diverse cave types in the different karst regions of the archipelago is analyzed, being worth to mention the richness and variety of subterranean forms in the mountain karst of Serra de Tramuntana, in Mallorca island, as well as the abundant and variegated littoral caves occurring in the Upper Miocene postorogenic carbonates of Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera islands. The hypogene speleogenetic processes recently documented in the karst areas of southern Mallorca contribute to supply new insights on the high diversity of subterranean environments represented in the Balearic archipelago., [cat] Es presenta una classificació tipològica de les cavitats del conjunt de les Illes Balears, amb la intenció de posar al dia els coneixements sobre la morfogènesi de l’endocarst de l’arxipèlag, incorporant les exploracions i descobriments efectuats durant les darreres dècades. Després de fer una breu revisió dels intents classificatoris de les coves i avencs de les nostres illes, es proposa una sistematització basada en criteris hidrogeològics i espeleogenètics, en la qual s’estableixen les quatre grans categories següents: 1) avencs de la zona vadosa, 2) coves de la zona vadosa, 3) coves freàtiques no litorals, i 4) coves de la franja litoral. Dins d’aquestes categories es distingeixen deu tipus de cavitats, corresponents a modalitats genètiques diferenciades, així com cinc subtipus addicionals que agrupen singularitats morfològiques específiques dins d’una determinada tipologia. S’analitza la distribució geogràfica dels diferents tipus de cavitats en les diverses regions de l’arxipèlag, destacant per la varietat i riquesa de formes el carst de muntanya de la Serra de Tramuntana mallorquina, així com els carsts costaners desenvolupats als materials calcaris postorogènics del Miocè superior de les illes de Mallorca, Menorca i Formentera. La documentació de processos d’espeleogènesi hipogènica en les àrees càrstiques del sud de Mallorca, ha suposat unes troballes recents que incrementen la varietat d’ambients subterranis representats a les Balears., [spa] Se presenta una clasificación tipológica de las cavidades del conjunto de las islas Baleares, con la intención de poner al día el conocimiento sobre la morfogénesis del endokarst del archipiélago en base a las exploraciones y descubrimientos efectuados en los últimos decenios. Tras hacer una breve revisión de los intentos clasificatorios de las cuevas y simas de nuestras islas, se propone una sistematización basada en criterios hidrogeológicos y espeleogenéticos, en la que se establecen las cuatro grandes categorías siguientes: 1) simas de la zona vadosa, 2) cuevas de la zona vadosa, 3) cuevas freáticas no litorales, y 4) cuevas de la franja litoral. Dentro de estas categorías se distinguen diez tipos de cavidades, correspondientes a modalidades genéticas diferenciadas, así como cinco subtipos adicionales que agrupan singularidades morfológicas específicas dentro de una determinada tipología. Se analiza la distribución geográfica de los diferentes tipos de cavidades en las diversas regiones del archipiélago, destacando por la variedad y riqueza de formas el karst de montaña de la Serra de Tramuntana mallorquina, así como los karsts costeros desarrollados en los materiales calcáreos post-orogénicos del Mioceno superior de las islas de Mallorca, Menorca y Formentera. La reciente documentación de procesos de espeleogénesis hipogénica en las áreas kársticas del sur de Mallorca, ha supuesto unos hallazgos novedosos que incrementan la variedad de ambientes subterráneos representados en las Baleares.

The subgenus Troglorhynchus Reitter, 1854 of the genus Otiorhynchus Germar, 1824 is redescribed, revised and differentiated from other subgenera of Otiorhynchus, which has the micro or anophthalmus species. T. anophthalmoides omeros Colonnelli, 2003, T. pretneri F. Solari, 1955 as well as T. celejensis G. Müller, 1924 are synonymized to T. anophthalmoides Reitter, 1914., Podrod Troglorhynchus Reitter, 1854 roda Otiorhynchus Germar, 1824 se ponovno opisuje, revidira i diferencira od ostalih podrodova roda Otiorhynchus u kojem su vrste bez ili s izuzetno malim očima. T. anophthalmoides omeros Colonnelli, 2003, T. pretneri F. Solari, 1955 kao i T. celejensis G. Müller, 1924 su sinonimizirane s T. anophthalmoides Reitter, 1914.

[cat] Les exploracions de les cavitats de la franja litoral amb continuacions subaquàtiques es van iniciar a Mallorca, de forma documentada, l’any 1972 per part d’espeleòlegs catalans. El final de la dècada dels 80 i començaments dels 90 varen esser objecte de diferents campanyes d’espeleobussejadors britànics. L’any 1994 sorgeix l’embrió del que seria anys després la Secció d’Espeleobusseig del Grup Nord de Mallorca, espeleòlegs mallorquins dedicats a la recerca de les cavitats sotaiguades. El fruit d’aquestes investigacions ha suposat l’exploració dels sistemes espeleològics més extensos de l’illa i situen les cavitats subaquàtiques de Mallorca com a referent de les coves litorals de l’Estat Espanyol i d’Europa. Les cavitats de la franja litoral es poden subdividir en coves de la zona de mescla costanera, xarxes freàtiques litorals amb influències hipogèniques i les captures càrstico-marines. La major part de les coves es localitzen al carst eogenètic litoral desenvolupat en la plataforma postorogènica del sud i llevant de Mallorca, és a dir a la regió càrstica de Migjorn. Els condicionants litològics influeixen de manera decisiva en la configuració morfològica de les coves; així, mentre que a les fàcies de front de l’escull del Miocè superior dominen les formes de col·lapse relacionades amb la dissolució extensiva dels edificis coral·lins, en les fàcies corresponents a ambients sedimentaris de lagoon la permeabilitat associada a la fracturació adquireix major rellevància, en presentar la roca una porositat bastant més baixa. S’han seleccionat les 12 coves més importants, la gran majoria ubicades a la marina de Llevant (10). Per municipis el més representat és Manacor (6), seguit de Felanitx (3). Les fitxes de les coves s’han subdividit, sempre que es disposi d’informació, en diferents apartats de: toponímia, situació geogràfica i geològica, història de les exploracions, descripció de la cavitat, hidrologia, sediments, espeleogènesi i estadi evolutiu, paleontologia, fauna aquàtica i arqueologia., [spa] Las exploraciones de las cavidades de la franja litoral con continuaciones subacuáticas se iniciaron en Mallorca, de forma documentada, el año 1972 por parte de espeleólogos catalanes. El final de la década de los 80 e inicios de los 90 fueron objeto de diferentes campañas de espeleobuceadores británicos. El año 1994 se crea el embrión de lo que sería años después la Secció d’Espeleobusseig del Grup Nord de Mallorca, espeleólogos mallorquines dedicados a la investigación de les cavidades sumergidas. Los frutos de estas investigaciones han supuesto la exploración de los sistemas espeleológicos más extensos de la isla, y situan las cavidades subacuáticas de Mallorca como referente de las cuevas litorales del Estado Español y de Europa. Las cavidades de la franja litoral se pueden subdividir en cuevas de la zona de mezcla costera, redes freáticas litorales con influencias hipogénicas y capturas kárstico-marinas. La mayor parte de las cuevas se localizan en el karst eogenético litoral desarrollado en la plataforma postorogènica del sur y levante de Mallorca, es decir en la región kárstica de Migjorn. Los condicionantes litológicos influyen de manera decisiva en la configuración morfológica de las cuevas, de forma que, mientras que en las facies del frente arrecifal del Mioceno superior dominan las formas de colapso relacionadas con la disolución extensiva de los edificios coralinos, en las facies correspondientes a ambientes sedimentarios de lagoon la permeabilidad asociada a la fracturación adquiere mayor relevancia, al presentar la roca una porosidad bastante más baja. Se han seleccionado las 12 cuevas más importantes, la gran mayoría ubicadas en la marina de Llevant (10). Por municipios el más representado es Manacor (6), seguido de Felanitx (3). Las fichas de las cuevas se han subdividido, siempre que se disponga de información, en diferentes apartados de: toponimia, situación geográfica y geológica, historia de las exploraciones, descripción de la cavidad, hidrología, sedimentos, espeleogénesis y estadio evolutivo, paleontología, fauna acuática y arqueología., [eng] The explorations in the caves with underwater extensions, existing along the littoral fringe of Mallorca Island, are firstly documented in 1972 due to the activities of Catalan cavers. During the end of 1980 decade and the early 1990 different campaigns were conducted by British cave divers. The year 1994 is formed the embryo of what would be, years later, the Diving Section of Grup Nord de Mallorca, a team of young Mallorcan cavers dedicated to the investigation of underwater cavities. The fruits of these researches have involved the exploration of the most extensive cave systems of the island, placing the underwater cavities of Mallorca at a remarkable position regarding coastal caves in Spain and in Europe. The cavities of littoral areas can be divided into: caves of the coastal mixing zone, littoral phreatic networks with hypogenic influences, and marine-karstic captures. Most of the caves are located in the littoral eogenetic karst developed within the post-orogenic platform of southern and eastern Mallorca, the so-called Migjorn karst region. The lithological conditionings have a decisive influence on the morphological features of the investigated caves. So, while in the front-reef facies of the Upper Miocene the collapse morphologies are dominant, related to the extensive dissolution of coral buildings, in the facies corresponding to lagoon environments the permeability associated to fractures becomes more important, due to the significantly lower rock porosity of these back-reef facies. The 12 most important caves have been selected, which are mainly located in the eastern coast of Mallorca (10). Regarding their distribution in the municipalities, Manacor (6) is the best represented, followed by Felanitx (3). The data corresponding to each cave, always subject to the availability of information, is structured in different sections: toponymy, geographical and geological location, history of explorations, cave description, hydrology, sediments, speleogenesis and evolutionary stage, paleontology, aquatic fauna and archeology.

[eng] The knowledge on the flora of the karst caves and shafts in the Balearic Islands is not well-consolidated and reliable data are known only about certain groups, such as bryophytes, pteridophytes and seed plants. However, gaps on the flora of almost all the Balearics except Mallorca are a reality. In general, the uniqueness of the cave flora in the archipelago is reflected as the presence of relict elements, whose presence at the surface is very rare or not detected until now. This fact highlights the conservative character of the shafts and caves with regard to the most mesophilic flora, very rare or extinct on the outside as a result of ancient climate changes natural or man-related, which has led to their presence in underground environments., [cat] El coneixement de la flora de les cavitats càrstiques de les Balears es troba poc consolidat i únicament es coneixen dades fiables sobre alguns grups, com briòfits, pteridòfits i plantes amb llavors. No obstant, les llacunes relatives a la flora de la pràctica totalitat de les Balears excepte Mallorca són una realitat. En general, la singularitat de la flora hipogea de l’arxipèlag es reflexa en la presència d’elements relictuals, dels quals la seva presència a l’exterior és raríssima o no s’ha detectat fins a l’actualitat. Aquest fet posa de manifest el caràcter conservador de les cavitats sobre la flora més mesòfila, molt rara o extinta a l’exterior com a conseqüència d’antics canvis climàtics naturals o d’origen antròpic, fet que ha propiciat la seva presència en ambients hipogeus., [spa] El conocimiento de la flora de las cavidades kársticas de las Baleares se encuentra poco consolidado y únicamente se conocen datos fiables sobre algunos grupos, como briófitos, pteridófitos y plantas con semillas. Sin embargo, las lagunas relativas a la flora de la práctica totalidad de Baleares excepto Mallorca son una realidad. En general la singularidad de la flora hipogea del archipiélago se refleja en la presencia de elementos relictuales, cuya presencia en el exterior és rarísima o no se ha detectado hasta el presente. Este hecho pone de manifiesto el carácter conservador de las cavidades sobre la flora más mesófila, cuya rarefacción y extinción en el exterior, como consecuencia de antiguos cambios climáticos naturales o de origen antrópico, ha propiciado su presencia en ambientes hipogeos.

[eng] Littoral caves can be found at the erosion coasts of the Balearic Islands. The genesis of most of these caves are produced by the marine erosion and they are known as marine abrasion caves. These caves generally have small dimensions (usually no longer than 50 m), display ascending profiles and can produce blowholes, tunnels and arches. Although they have initially nothing to do with karst, several karstic or karst-related processes can act on these caves, and speleothems, karstic fillings, dissolution phenomena, etc., can be observed inside them. Also cave fauna can be found., [cat] A les costes d’erosió de les Illes Balears podem trobar-hi abundants coves litorals; moltes d’aquestes tenen la seva gènesi lligada a l’erosió marina i s’anomenen coves d’abrasió marina. Aquestes cavitats són per norma general de modestes dimensions (no passen normalment dels 50 m de longitud), tenen un perfil ascendent i durant la seva evolució poden donar lloc a bufadors, túnels i arcs. Tot i no tenir res a veure inicialment amb el carst, durant la seva evolució hi poden participar processos càrstics o derivats d’ells; així podem trobar espeleotemes, reompliments càrstics, fenòmens de dissolució, etc. També es pot trobar fauna cavernícola., [spa] En las costas de erosión de las Illes Balears podemos encontrar abundantes cuevas litorales; la mayoría tienen su génesis ligada a la erosión marina y se denominan cuevas de abrasión marina. Estas cavidades son por norma general de modestas dimensiones (no pasan normalmente de 50 m de longitud), tienen un perfil ascendente y pueden dar lugar durante su evolución a agujeros sopladores, túneles y arcos. A pesar de no tener inicialmente nada que ver con el karst, durante su evolución pueden participar procesos kársticos o derivados de ellos; así podemos encontrar espeleotemas, rellenos kársticos, fenómenos de disolución, etc. También es posible encontrar fauna cavernícola.

La Spluga della Preta è uno degli abissi più conosciuti e affascinanti . Dal 1925, anno della prima esplorazione, innumerevoli spedizioni esplorative Nel 1988 aveva inizio l’Operazione Corno d’Aquilio, probabilmente la prima e più completa campagna di bonifica e protezione compiuta al mondo in un abisso difficile e complesso: la Spluga della Preta. La più profonda cavità dei Monti Lessini, mito della speleologia internazionale, finalmente riprendeva il suo aspetto naturale originario, grazie alla pulizia dei residui abbandonati durante 65 anni di spedizioni speleologiche. Grazie soprattutto a quell’operazione è nato in Italia quel sentimento ecologista di protezione dell’ambiente sotterraneo di cui oggi si fa baluardo la Società Speleologica Italiana. Ma l’Operazione Corno d’Aquilio, oltre alla bonifica, ha rappresentato anche un vasto progetto di ricerca multidisciplinare sulla Spluga della Preta, che ha coinvolto esperti di numerose università italiane, affrontando tematiche che spaziano dalla geologia, alla biologia, la botanica e la fisica del sistema carsico. Tale volume raccoglie i contributi scientifici derivati dalle ricerche dell’Operazione Corno d’Aquilio e dalle ricerche effettuate negli anni successivi fino ai giorni nostri. Una monografia dedicata a una delle grotte più conosciute al mondo, già oggetto di libri di carattere storico, oltre che dell’importante film-documentario “l’Abisso” di Alessandro Anderloni, con l’obbiettivo di divulgare le conoscenze scientifiche raccolte in oltre 80 anni di discese nelle viscere di questa affascinante cavità lessinica. Il libro espande l’ambito di interesse anche a tutta l’area del Corno d’Aquilio e dei versanti che da tale cima precipitano nella Valle dell’Adige, esaminandoli dal punto di vista della geologia e dell’idrogeologia, fornendo inoltre descrizione dettagliata non solo della Spluga della Preta ma di tutte le cavità presenti nell’area, sia in territorio Veneto che Trentino.

[cat] El coneixement de les coves litorals situades entre cala Falcó i cala Varques s’ha vist enriquit amb les aportacions subaquàtiques efectuades a la cova des Coloms de Cala Falcó o cova des Coloms 1, a la cova des Coloms de cala Varques o cova des Coloms 2 i amb la incorporació d’una nova cavitat, la cova des Genet. Dues de les tres cavitats descrites són captures càrstico-marines a on es fan ben evidents les interaccions entre el modelat càrstic i el modelat litoral. La cova des Coloms de Cala Varques actua també de surgència submarina., [eng] The knowledge of the littoral caves located between Cala Falcó and Cala Varques has resulted enriched with several new findings: the diving explorations performed in Cova des Coloms de Cala Falcó (also known as Cova des Coloms 1) and in Cova des Coloms de Cala Varques (also known as Cova des Coloms 2) as well as the documentation of a new cave, the Cova des Genet. Two of the three described caves are complex regarding their genesis, being the result of mixed karstic and marine erosion processes. The Cova des Coloms de Cala Varques acts also as a submarine spring.

[cat] En aquest treball es recopilen i estudien, des d’una perspectiva etnopaleontològica, les aportacions i influencies exercides pels fòssils en relació al patrimoni onomàstic toponímic relacionat amb cavitats càrstiques de l’àmbit geogràfic de les Illes Balears. Generalment es tracta de microtopònims moderns o recents, en vies de popularització i/o tradicionalització (neotopònims), establerts pels científics que estudien les coves i/o esportistes del món de l’espeleologia (topocultismes). Es poden distingir entre espeleotopònims de primer ordre (quan es refereixen a cavitats completes) i de segon ordre (quan es refereixen a un sector d’una cavitat). També es realitza una primera aproximació als topònims referits a mines d’extracció de carbó fòssil (antracotopònims)., [eng] In this paper we collect and study, from a etnopaleontological perspective, the contributions and influence of the fossils in relation to the place names of the karstic caves in the linguistic heritage of the Balearic Islands. Usually are modern or recent micro place names, established by both scientists and speleologists studying the caves. We can distinguish between first order place names (when referring to a full cave) and second order names (when referring to a sector of a cave). It also makes a first approach to the place names related to fossil coal mining extraction.

[EN]We have studied the pteridophytes and bryophytes observed in natural cavities as well as in mines and quarries of Na Burguesa mountain range. Compared with the central area of the Tramuntana mountains, it is not present a relictual bryophyte and pteridophyte flora, except Homalia lusitanica and Asplenium scolopendrium found at a single cavity, the Clot des Sero. Asplenium sagittatum was observed in 15 of these cavities and in one of them it was noticed its decline for unknown reasons, during the last six years. Anogramma leptophylla, Asplenium petrarchae and Asplenium trichomanes subsp. inexpectans are recorded for the first time in this area., [CAT]Se citen els pteridòfits i els briòfits que s’han observat tant a les cavitats naturals com a les mines i pedreres de la serra de na Burguesa. En comparació amb la zona central de la serra de Tramuntana, no hi ha una flora briofítica i pteridofítica relictual, exceptuant Homalia lusitanica i Asplenium scolopendrium que s’han trobat a una única cavitat, el Clot des Sero. Asplenium sagittatum s’ha observat a 15 cavitats i en una d’aquestes ha desaparegut una població, per causes desconegudes, en un període d’uns sis anys. Anogramma leptophylla, Asplenium petrarchae i Asplenium trichomanes subsp. inexpectans és la primera vegada que se citen en aquesta serra., Parte de este trabajo ha sido financiado por el proyecto del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación n. CGL2009-07392

Pećina na Vrelu Mokranjske Miljacke Cave with the length over 6800 meters is almost the longest cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina, measured thus far. The cave is located in Romanija Mountain (near Mokro) on north edge of Dinarides, some 30 km east from capital Sarajevo. It is a hydrological active complex cave, with one active channel, the main channel and a lot of smaller lateral channels. There are a few fossil channels with the largest one, near to the entrance of the cave. Very interesting findings of archaeological artifacts but also Pleistocene fauna are discovered: almost complete cranial skeleton of young adult male cave bear (Ursus spelaeus Rosenmüller & Heinroth, 1794) and cranial skeleton of beaver (Castor fiber Linnaeus, 1758). During the recent research at the International speleological camp in 2009, a systematic biospeleological researches have been performed, using a water and terrestrial traps. A rich cave-dwelling fauna have been discovered from several groups: water and terrestrial snails (Gastropoda), spiders (Araneae), spring tails (Collembola), beetles (Coleoptera), but also very interesting taxa of tricladids (Tricladida), false spiders (Opiliones) and cicadas (Cicadomorpha), same as some parasitic fungi taxa. Among them, some taxa are considered to be a new species for science, most interesting new false spider genus, closely related to genus Hadzinia (Opiliones, Nemastomatidae). In future, research will proceed with further speleological but also biospeleological research combined with molecular genetic analyses.

Machaerites pavleki sp. nov. and M. marjanaci sp. nov., new cavernicolous species of the tribe Bythinini are described from Croatia. The catalogue of all species of the genus placed in two species-groups is provided., U radu se opisuju nove kavernikolne vrste tribusa Bythinini iz Hrvatske, Machaerites pavleki sp. nov. i M. marjanaci sp. nov. Također se donosi katalog svih vrsta ovoga roda, smještenih u dvije skupine.

[EN]In this paper we describe a series of caves from several Macaronesian islands surveyed in the course of the field work framed in a research project aimed at determining chronology of extinctions of native species of vertebrates and introductions of alien species on the Macaronesian and the Balearic Islands. 15 cavities are described, mostly from the island of Fuerteventura, and others from Lanzarote and Madeira. Among them, the topography of the Cueva de Villaverde, a volcanic tube of 171 m long that includes an important aboriginal station on the island, as well as the Sima de las Palomas on the Montaña de la Arena, containing remains of the extinct endemic Lava shearwater Puffinus olsoni, are presented. Several potholes around the Montaña de la Arena, where their access has been facilitated through rock accumulations inside them. Due to pigeons and shearwaters breed inside these caves, these structures very probably were made to allow the access for hunting chick of these birds. Finally, the description of three small cavities from Madeira completes the paper., [CAT]En aquest treball descrivim una sèrie de cavitats de la Macaronèsia. Foren topografiades en el curs de les visites emmarcades a un Projecte de Recerca dirigit a determinar cronologies d’extincions d’espècies autòctones de vertebrats i d’introduccions d’espècies al·lòctones a illes macaronèsiques i a les Balears. Hi descrivim 15 cavitats, majorment de l’illa de Fuerteventura i d’altres de Lanzarote i Madeira. Entre aquestes cavitats presentam la topografia de la Cueva de Villaverde, un tub volcànic de 171 m de recorregut que hosteja una important estació aborigen de l’illa, així com la de la Sima de las Palomas de la Montaña de la Arena, on s’hi trobaren restes del la baldrija de la lava, Puffinus olsoni, endèmica de les Canàries orientals. Descrivim diferents avencs als voltants de la Montaña de l’Arena, on s’ha facilitat l’accés mitjançant caramulls de pedres en equilibri. Degut a la presència de coloms i baldritges a l’interior d’aquests avencs, aquestes estructures segurament es varen fer per poder caçar-les. Es descriuen tres cavitats petites de Madeira., [ES]En este trabajo describimos una serie de cavidades de la Macaronesia topografiadas en el curso de las visitas enmarcadas en un Proyecto de Investigación dirigido a determinar cronologías de extinciones de especies autóctonas e introducciones de especies alóctonas de vertebrados en diferentes islas macaronésicas y en Baleares. Se describen 15 cavidades, principalmente de la isla de Fuerteventura, así como otras de Lanzarote y Madeira. Entre estas cavidades presentamos la topografía de la Cueva de Villaverde, un tubo volcánico de 171 m de largo que alberga una importante estación aborigen de la isla, así como la de la Sima de las Palomas de la Montaña de la Arena, en donde se localizaron por primera vez los restos de la Pardela del Malpaís, Puffinus olsoni. Se describen diferentes simas en las laderas de la Montaña de la Arena, cuyo acceso se ha facilitado debido a la existencia de amontonamientos de piedras en su interior, probablemente construidas para la caza de pollos de palomas y pardelas que anidan en su interior. Por último, se describen tres pequeñas cavidades de Madeira., [PT]Neste trabalho descrevemos uma série de cavidades topografiades da Macaronésia, feitas no decurso dum projecto de investigação com vista a determinar a cronologia de extinções de espécies nativas de animais vertebrados i d’introduccions de espécies exóticas nas ilhas Macaronesias e as ilhas Baleares. 15 cavidades são descritas, principalmente de Fuerteventura e outras de Lanzarote e Madeira. Apresentam a topografia da Cueva de Villaverde, um tubo vulcânico de 171 m de comprimento, que abriga uma importante estação aborígene na ilha, bem como a Sima de las Palomas na Montaña de la Arena, onde encontraram restos do Puffinus olsoni. Descrevemos vários buracos ao lado da Montanha da Areia, onde o acesso foi facilitado através de acúmulos de rocha. Devido a presencia de pombos e cagarras dentro destas cavernas, essas estruturas muito provavelmente foram feitas para permitir o acesso de caça dessas aves.Finalmente, descrevemos três pequenas furnas da Madeira., Este trabajo se incluye en el Proyecto de Investigación CGL2007-62047/BTE “Cronología y causas de las extinciones de vertebrados autóctonos en Canarias y Baleares: un análisis comparativo. II”, financiado por la Dirección General de Investigación del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España.

16 páginas, 11 fotos., [EN]In this paper the description and topographic survey of 16 caves located at the Serra de na Burguesa (Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca) are presented, among which Cova-Avenc de na Boira, a 41 meters deep cave, should be highlighted., [CAT]Presentam la descripció i topografia de 16 cavitats naturals de la serra de na Burguesa (serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca), entre les quals destaca la cova-avenc de na Boira pels seus 41 m de desnivell., [ES]Se presenta la descripción y topografía de 16 cavidades naturales de la Serra de na Burguesa (Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca), entre las que destaca la Cova-Avenc de na Boira con 41 m de desnivel.

[spa] La presencia de Conjuntos Morfológicos de Flujo Ascendente es uno de los criterios más importantes a la hora de identificar procesos de espeleogénesis hipogénica en una cavidad. En el presente trabajo se describen los conjuntos morfológicos presentes en la Cova des Pas de Vallgornera, lo que viene a documentar la participación de una recarga basal de origen hipogénico en la génesis de la cueva, además de los consabidos procesos de alimentación hídrica meteórica y de mezcla de aguas en un acuífero costero instalado en una plataforma de karst eogenético., [eng] The presence of Morphologic Suite of Rising Flow is a crucial criterion when processes of hypogene speleogenesis must be identified in a cave. The aim of this paper is to describe this morphological assemblage found in Cova des Pas de Vallgornera, what sheds light on the participation of a deep-seated recharge of hypogenic origin in the cave genesis in addition to meteoric water recharge and the coastal mixing zone processes, in a coastal aquifer installed in an eogenetic karst platform.

[cat] La connexió entre la cova de sa Gleda i l’avenc des Camp de Pou ha permés afegir un nou sistema al llevant de Mallorca, el sistema Gleda-Camp des Pou, de 13.500 m de recorregut, que situa aquesta cavitat litoral com la de major recorregut subaquàtic d’Europa dins d’aquesta situació i espeleogènesi. Es comenten les principals fites de l’exploració del sistema i els aspectes tècnics per poder realitzar les tasques exploratòries a la cavitat. Es fa la descripció tant dels nous sectors descoberts com de les contribucions novedoses dels sectors ja coneguts. L’estudi de l’estructura de la cavitat, amb la superposició de la topografia a la superfície del terreny, les sales d’esfondrament i els condicionants litològics ajuden a comprendre millor la gènesi i evolució de la cavitat. Un aspecte a destacar és el contrast entre els sectors més occidentals, profusament decorats per espeleotemes, amb els sectors orientals a on són gairebé absents. Se citen un total de 12 espècies de crustacis a les aigües subterrànies de la cavitat, capturades especialment a les proximitats de la boca, ja que bona part del sistema presenta densitats poblacionals molt baixes per tractar-se d’un hàbitat molt oligotròfic., [eng] The connection established between Cova de sa Gleda and Avenc des Camp des Pou has allowed to add a new extensive cave system to the great speleological potential of eastern Mallorca coastal karst area: with a development of 13,500 m, this system is the longest underwater littoral cave known up to now in Europe. The main benchmarks in its exploration are exposed, as well as the technical aspects of the diving tasks developed in the cave. The description of the recently discovered extensions is presented in this paper together with new observations on the previously known sectors of the system. The study of the cave pattern –using the superimposition of the survey on the map of the area– and the disposition of collapse chambers linked to clear lithological conditionings, contribute to a better understanding of its genesis and evolution. An aspect that must be highlighted is the sharp contrast existing between the western sectors, very well-decorated with speleothems, and the eastern ones where the speleothems are almost practically absent. A total of 12 crustacean species have been cited in the cave waters, collected especially near the cave entrance because the population densities are very low due to the oligotrophic character of this habitat.

[spa] La Cova de sa Font, conocida también con el nombre de Cova des Moro, es sin duda uno de los elementos geográficos más destacables de la isla de Sa Dragonera. Diversas evidencias arqueológicas demuestran que la cavidad era bien conocida por los navegantes desde tiempos muy remotos, ya que su utilización para el abastecimiento de agua está suficientemente documentada por la presencia de cerámica clásica anterior al siglo IV a.C. Según la hipótesis que se desarrolla a lo largo de este trabajo, el topónimo Dragonera está directamente vinculado a la existencia de la Cova de sa Font; de manera que es en realidad la cueva la que da nombre a la isla. Las dos principales pruebas en que se fundamenta esta hipótesis son: la abundancia de hidrónimos similares a Dragonera alrededor del Mediterráneo occidental, así como la utilización de la palabra tracones en el latín medieval con un significado muy próximo a conductos subterráneos. Por consiguiente, sería la existencia en la isla de una valiosa traconaria, que permitía el aprovisionamiento de agua dulce a los barcos, el auténtico origen del topónimo Dragonera., [eng] The coastal cave named Cova de sa Font, also known as Cova des Moro, is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding geographical features in Dragonera Island. Archaeological evidences from this cave demonstrate that Cova de sa Font was wellknown by sailors in ancient times, because the presence of non-indigenous pottery older than the 4th century B.C. prove its early use for water supply. According to the hypothesis developed in the present paper, the place-name Dragonera is tightly linked to the existence of Cova de sa Font, being this cave the real origin for the toponym of the island. The two main proofs supporting this hypothesis are the abundance and distribution of hydronyms similar to Dragonera all around the Western Mediterranean basin as well as the use of the word tracones, in the Latin language during the Middle Ages, with the meaning of underground conduits. In this manner, the existence of a valuable traconaria, that allowed the water supply for ships navigating in the area, could be the origin of the place-name of Dragonera Island.

[spa] En este trabajo se da a conocer la presencia de unos espeleotemas muy particulares, pool fingers y u-loops, que se desarrollan en gours de la Cova des Pas de Vallgornera y que podrían indicar una influencia de actividad bacteriana en su desarrollo., [eng] The aim of this paper is to describe the presence of some peculiar speleothems, pool fingers and u-loops, that are found in gours in Cova des Pas de Vallgornera and it could point out influence of bacterial activity on its development.

16 páginas, 5 figures, 2 tablas y anexos., [EN]The results of the excavation of test pits in Cova de sa Tossa Alta (Escorca, Mallorca)are presented in this paper. A stratigraphic sequence spreading over the Bronze and Iron Ages has been obtained. The earliest documented level is associated to the 14C date Wk 28753 (3421 ± 33 BP; 1880 – 1620 2σ cal BC). It has not been found any evidence for a previous occupation of the cave. The attribution by other scholars to the Chalcolithic Age of several sherd fragments obtained at the surface of the cave is not supported by the new evidence. The use of the cave and its preparation for stabling cows probably corresponds to late times of the prehistory of Mallorca. A lithic industry without known parallels in contemporary mainland Western Europe is briefly described., [CAT]Presentam els resultats de l’excavació de diferents cales a la cova de sa Tossa Alta (Escorca, Mallorca). Hem obtingut un perfil estratigràfic que abasta l’Edat de Bronze i l’Edat de Ferro. El nivell d’ocupació més antic documentat està associat a la datació Wk 28753 (3421 ± 33 BP; 1880 – 1620 2σ cal BC). No s’hi ha obtingut cap evidència d’una ocupació anterior. L’atribució de materials ceràmics al Calcolític no es troba suportada per l’evidència disponible. L’ús de la cova i el seu condicionament per estabular vaques probablement correspon a moments tardans de la prehistòria de Mallorca. Es documenta una indústria lítica que no sembla tenir paral·lels coetanis al continent europeu., Financiación a través del Proyecto de Investigación CGL2007-62047 / BTE de la Dirección General de Investigación, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España

Two new cavernicolous Scydmaeninae, Euconnus (Tetramelus) longipedes n. sp. and Scydmoraphes speluncarius n. sp. are described from the island of Mljet, Croatia. Records of all Scydmoraphes known so far from the Adriatic coast are discussed. Scydmoraphes leptocerus (Reitter, 1883) is recorded for the first time from Montenegro., Dvije nove špiljske vrste iz skupine Scydmaeninae, Euconnus (Tetramelus) longipedes n. sp. i Scydmoraphes speluncarius n. sp. opisane su s otoka Mljeta, Hrvatska. Raspravlja se o svim nalazima roda Scydmoraphes poznatim s obale Jadrana. Scydmoraphes leptocerus (Reitter, 1883) je zabilježen prvi puta za Crnu Goru.

Na području sjeverozapadne Hrvatske u okviru Supradinarika okršeni su dijelovi gorskih masiva Ivanščice, Kalnika, Varaždinsko-topličke gore, Strahinjščice, Strugače, Kostelskog gorja, Kuna gore i Cesargradske gore. Utvrđena su četiri tipa krša: trijaski dubinski, trijaski površinski, trijasko-gornjobadenski i gornjobadenski. Najizrazitije krške pojave SZ Hrvatske razvijene su na Ravnoj gori, gdje se nalazi gotovo 50 % do sada poznatih speleoloških objekata ovog područja. Speleološka istraživanja Ravne gore započinju krajem 19. stoljeća pri čemu su otkrivena svjetski vrijedna paleontološka i arheološka nalazišta: Vindija spilja i Velika (Mačkova) spilja. Do sada najopsežnija speleološka istraživanja Ravne gore provedena su tijekom 2006. i 2007. godine od strane članova Hrvatskog biospeleološkog društva (HBSD), u okviru istraživačkog projekta izrade speleološkog i biospeleološkog katastra Županije Varaždinske. Istraživane su ukupno 44 lokacije, od čega 42 speleološka objekta, od kojih je u njih 37 obavljeno preko 50 ulaza. U radu je predstavljen popis svih istraživanih objekata s njihovim dimenzijama i karta s označenim lokacijama. Preko polovice istraživanih speleoloških objekata su spilje i poluspilje, a ostalo su jame. Speleološki objekti su nastali u čak osam geoloških supstrata, najviše u gornjobadenskim i donjotrijaskim vapnencima. Prema duljini kanala svi objekti su manjih dimenzija, najdulja je Cerjanska špilja s 80 m duljine, a najdublja Vila jama s 20 m dubine. U pojedinim objektima su prisutne estetski atraktivne speleotheme. Dominiraju suhi objekti bez hidrogeološke funkcije, ali je prisutno i nekoliko protočnih objekata. Prosječna temperatura zraka je oko 11°C, a tla i vode nešto iznad 10°C, dok je relativna vlaga zraka nešto manja od 100 %. Uz tri već poznata špiljska arheološka i paleontološka lokaliteta (Vindija, Velika (Mačkova) spilja, Šincekova spilja), utvrđeno je šest novih, a prisutno je i jedno tipsko nalazište špiljske faune. Potrebne su mjere zaštite speleoloških objekata od posebne geomorfološke, paleontološke, arheološke, biospeleološke ili neke druge vrijednosti, kao i nastavak istraživanja te osmišljavanje promotivno-edukativnih aktivnosti., On the region of NW Croatia, belong to Supradinaric carbonate platform, karst is developed mainly on: Ivanščica Mt., Kalnik Mt., Varaždinsko-topličko gorje Mt., Strahinjščica Mt., Strugača Mt., Kostelsko gorje Mt., Kuna Mt. i Cesargrad Mt. Four types of karst have been found here: deep Triassic, shallow Triassic, Triassic- Upper Baden and Upper Baden. Most expressed Karst features have been presented on Ravna gora Mt., where more than 50 % of speleological objects of region are located. Speleological researches started at the end of 19th Century resulted with discovery of word worth paleontological and archaeological cave findings: Vindija and Velika (Mačkova) cave. Most extensive speleological researches of Ravna gora Mt. have been implemented during 2006 and 2007 Year by team of Croatian Biospeleological Society (CBSS) in frame of research Project of speleological and biospeleological cadastre of Varaždin County. In total 44 locations have been researched, of them 42 speleological objects, but finally in 37 of them with more than 50 research visits. In this work list of all researched speleological objects is published with their dimensions, same as geographic map with marked locations. More than half of them are caves and half caves, rest are vertical pits. Speleological objects are developed in eight geological substrates, most of them in Upper Baden and Lower Triassic limestones. According to size of cave channels all speleological objects are relatively small, longest is Cerjanska cave 80 m long and deepest Vila pit with 20 m. In some objects attractive speleothemes occurred. Dry objects without some hydro geological function are dominated, with several trough flow objects. An average air temperature is over 11°C, soil and water temperature over 10°C and relative humidity something less than 100 pct. Beside three already known paleontological and archaeological sites (Vindija, Velika (Mačkova) cave, Šincek cave), six new sites have been discovered. One type locality of cave-dwelling fauna is presented on Ravna gora Mt. too. It is necessary to implement protect activities for all caves of geomorphological, paleontological, archaeological, biological and some other value, same as further researches, promotion and education activities.

Tychobythinus lukici, a new cavernicolous species of the tribe Bythinini, closely related to T. neumanni is described from the island Brač, Croatia. The actual knowledge on all Croatian Tychobythinus is discussed and summarized., U radu se opisuje nova špiljska vrsta tribusa Bythinini s otoka Brača, Tychobythinus lukici, usko srodna s vrstom T. neumanni. Raspravlja se i daje pregled svih predstavnika roda Tychobythinus u Hrvatskoj.

In the central part of Vis Island, in the area of Kostirna village, as part of continuous sequence of Cretaceous limestones and dolomites, quartz deposits are found. Developed as two separate beds, 1-6 meters thick, “ quartz sands” are formed by substitution of carbonate mud and silica. These “ sand” deposits, locally called vora, have been mined "long before the 18th century" because of the characteristic white color. North of Kostrina village numerous evidences of mining activities are found. Mines nearby (Veliki rudnik, Mali rudnik, Špilja od Vore, Rudnik Tor) represent combination of mines and natural karst caves. During mining process, cave objects within limestone have been discovered (e.g. Špilja od Vore mine). The largest object, the Veliki rudnik mine, is a unique winter bat habitat, while the mine Rudnik Tor was used for cattle guarding. All these objects are speleologically and biospeleologically explored and represent cave type localities in Croatia. Vora mines are an exceptionally interesting part of Croatian geoheritage and we are obliged to protect and preserve them. With proper care, they can be used for tourist promotion and educational purposes as well.