An overview of the biospeleological research in wider area of Barać caves

In 2020 and 2021, biospeleological surveys were carried out in the wider area of Baraćeve špilje (eng. Barać caves), in cooperation with The Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Values on the Territory of the Municipality of Rakovica. The main goal was to make an inventory of the subterranean fauna in selected caves, and to conduct a two-year biospeleological monitoring of the Gornja Baraćeva špilja cave. We have undertaken eight field trips, one in each season (spring, summer, autumn and winter) over two years. In addition to the inventory of subterranean fauna, we measured microclimatic conditions, photographed interior of the caves and cave entrances, and collected, identified, and photographed fauna. In 2020, we investigated Božićeva špilja, Dumenčića špilja, Donja Baraćeva špilja and Gornja Baraćeva špilja caves, while in 2021 research was conducted in Velesova Jama, Jama pod Guvnom, Kunina špilja, cave system Ponorac-Jovina caves and biospeleological monitoring of Gornja Baraćeva špilja continued. With this research, we obtained the first lists of subterranean fauna for selected caves. By systematically studying the Gornja Baraćeva špilja cave, we updated its list of fauna which now contains 46 taxa—13 taxa more than were recorded in the literature before we started our research. The species Machaerites pavleki Hlaváč & Jalžić, 2010 was found for the first time in thirteen years, both in Donja Baraćeva špilja and in Gornja Baraćeva špilja. This two-year research was of great importance because it shows that interesting new fauna can be found even in well-studied caves with systematic approach.