engleski

Morphological characteristics, biogeography and endangerment of ogulin cave sponge Eunapius subterraneus Sket & Velikonja 1984 (Spongillidae, Demospongia)

The only stygobiotic sponge, known up to date, is Eunapius subterraneus including two subspecies E. subterraneus subterraneus Sket & Velikonja 1986 and E. subterraneus mollisparspanis Sket & Velikonja 1986. Since the first description of the species, when only three localities were known, the species was found in six additional localities. This research has been part of the project “Conservation of Eunapius subterraneus, the only underground freshwater sponge in the world”, and it has been conducted in order to analyse morphological features and identify newly recorded populations, as well as to examine the current state of habitat quality and population-threatening changes. Samples were collected from six localities and specimens were examined morphometrically. The subspecies E. subterraneus subterraneus was recorded in three new localities. Subspecies E. subterraneus mollisparspanis was only found at the type locality. In two localities, Cave system Đula Medvedica and Cave in stone-pit Tounj, which are registered in the List of 10 most endangered karst phenomena in Croatia populations were not found. Eunapius subterraneus is listed in the Red list of threatened plants and animals of Croatia, and, in addition, Ogulin as a part of distribution area is registered in 2003 as one of 10 most endangered karst ecosystems in the world by Karst waters institute (Washington, USA). These two facts indicate the need for urgent protection measures to save this unique element of Croatian fauna.

stygobiotic sponge; cave fauna; endangered species

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