News

FNew channels discovered in cave Jama u predolcu, an important habitat of Dinaric cave clam Congeria kusceri.

07.16.2010.

During recent biospeleological and speleological research in Neretva river basin new channels were discovered in cave Jama u Predolcu near town Metković. This research and conservation of Dinaric cave clam is implemented by Croatian Biospeleological Society and financed by Ministry of culture. Utill now in cave Jama u Predolcu only one lake and chamber was known. In new channel researches discovered three lakes more that are also inhabitet by Dinaric cave clam, Cave marifugia (Marifugia cavatica) and other endemic species. There are still some narrow passages to be explored, and maybe some new chambers are yet to be discovered. Soon, another project will be launched, and researches will go back to this cave again.

The Dinaric cave clam is endemic to Dinarides. It lives in Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has been placed on the European list of protected species and it is the only known bivalve that lives underground. In Croatia it is critically endangered, and Jama u Predolcu cave is the one of three localities still inhabited by this animal, and for that reason it is included in National Ecological Network CRO-NEN.

We would like to thank Markica Vuica (NGO Baštinik) and his family for hospitality and provided help, and Zlatko Grizelj, Ivan Bebek and Zoran Weber for help and support.