2nd Biospeleological Expedition – Pelješac 2019 – short report
The 2nd Biospeleological Expedition – Pelješac 2019 was finished on May 1st, and now, after preliminary processing of the samples, we can announce the first results.
Field research was carried out in three terms: November 13 – 21, 2018, March 25 – April 7, and April 19 – May 1, 2019.
In the first two terms, the aim was to find as many caves as possible in the whole Pelješac peninsula, to choose the ones with the most suitable habitats for the cave fauna, to make preliminary biospeleological research, and to determine the most important caves. During the third and main term, we focused on the targeted collection of fauna and speleological research of new caves.
We visited 45 caves in total, but we did not enter in one because of the unpleasant smell of waste spreading from the entrance. Unfortunately, the same type of “garbage that I do not see does not exist” logic we encounter everywhere. The fauna was collected in 40 caves, and we surveyed 26 caves. Although most of the caves in the Pelješac peninsula are not impressive from the speleological point of view, the fauna that lives there more than compensated for that unattractiveness.
Pelješac peninsula is the richest area in Croatia in cave isopods (Isopoda). It is home to 7 species fully adapted to living in caves (troglobites). An unknown species from the genus Haplophthalminae has been collected in Jama u Kučinama pit. Only 1 female was found and we will continue visiting the pit to collect additional specimens and males for a scientific description of the species.
20 different taxa of cave spiders (Araneae) were collected, of which most are troglobites. At least 4 taxa new to science were found, and with more detailed analysis, that number will almost certainly increase. The most interesting cave is the Crno jezero cave with 4 troglobites.
Preliminary analysis of the centipedes (Chilopoda) revealed the presence of two troglobite species on the peninsula. The first belongs to the genus Lithobius, the centipede genus the richest in species, and so far has not been recorded in Croatia. It is a completely blind species without pigment, and the results will be published as part of the scientific paper that is under preparation. The second belongs to the genus Eupolybothrus, also a very troglomorphic species, but an immature specimen was collected and further sampling is needed to determine the species with certainty.
Molecular analysis of springtails (Collembola) has identified a new species from the genus Verhoeffiella.
The beetles (Coleoptera) findings made us especially happy!
A new genus from the Leiodidae family was found in Mladenova jama pit. Only 1 male was collected during the expedition, and a few days ago, after 4 additional visits, several more specimens were found. A new trechine beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechini) was collected in Mladenova jama pit, 1 juvenile female. It could also be a new genus, but for the description, males and other specimens have to be found. The collected specimen will go for DNA analysis.
From the genus Graciliella (Coleoptera, Leiodidae, Leptoderini) 1 male was collected in Jama u Grudama cave. It is the first finding of this genus on Pelješac, and for the description of the species will be necessary to find additional specimens. Interestingly, one specimen of that genus was recently found on the nearby island of Korčula. Comparing these two findings will be possible when additional samples for DNA analysis will be collected on the island of Korčula.
A lot of specimens of the species Troglamaurops cf. leptoderina have been found throughout the peninsula (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselafinae). So far, the species was known only from one site in the town of Janjina. In the genus Troglamaurops several new species have been discovered recently, so we expect some surprises among the collected specimens.
After several years of research, a lot of specimens of the genus Bathyscidius have finally been collected. From the locality, in the town of Janjina, the subspecies of Bathyscidius tristiculus tristiculus (Coleoptera, Leiodidae, Leptoderini) was described. These new samples will help with the completion of a long-lasting description of a new species, which was not possible to finish because of insufficiently collected material.
The cave fauna of Pelješac has just started to reveal its secrets and biospeleological research is far from over. Said results will surely be magnified after a more detailed analysis, and we are looking forward to further exploration of this beautiful area.
The expedition was attended by 27 biospeleologists and speleologists, of which 5 from Bosnia and Hercegovina, Serbia and Montenegro. Along with CBSS and Breganja Association as the organizers, the team members were from the following clubs: Speleological Club Ozren Lukić, Speleo-alpinists Club Ekstrem, Speleological Division of Croatian Mountaineering Society Željezničar, Ponir, Biospeleological Society of Montenegro and Academic Speleo-Alpinist Club. We would like to thank all the participants for their help and the company and we look forward to cooperating with further research.
We thank the Speleological Division of Croatian Mountaineering Society Sniježnica for information about caves in Ston municipality and local people for help and cooperation. Without them, the number of 45 visited caves would be considerably smaller. Big thanks to the football clubs Putniković and Faraon who provided us with accommodation!
The expedition was realized with the financial help of the Croatian waters, the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Jame Baredine and Zmajska pivovara.
Thanks to donors without whose help research would not be possible at this level and evening gatherings would not be as enjoyable!
- Topographic survey of Jama više vodospreme (photo: V. Sudar)
- The view from Čagjina jama (photo: F. Šarc)
- Enjoying at the entrance of Poskokova jama (photo: V. Sudar)
- Jama u Zajamju (photo: V. Sudar)
- Searching for cave fauna in Jama više vodospreme (photo: L. Ružanović)
- Team in front of Mladenova jama (photo: B. Jalžić)
- Setting up the pit-fall trap in Mladenova jama (photo: V. Sudar)
- A much more common case than we would like. Špilja Jade. (photo: A. Kirin)
- Topographic survey of Partizanska špilja (photo: A. Komerički)
- Access to caves and pits was often through dense vegetation (photo: V. Sudar).
- And sometimes the approach was a real pleasure (photo: M. Pavićević)
- Isopod from the genus Alpioniscus. Spilja Rupine. (photo: A. Komerički)
- Beetle from the genus Neotrechus. Jama u Kučinama. (photo: A. Kirin)
- Centipede from the genus Lithobius. Crno jezero. (photo: T. Rožman)
- Gecko looked for some freshness in Bijelo zezero (photo: A. Komerički)
- Male from he genus Sulcia. Crno jezero. (photo: M. Pavlek)
- Amphipod from the genus Niphargus. Mladenova jama. (photo: T. Rožman)
- A new genus of beetles from the familyLeiodidae. Mladenova jama. (photo: B. Jalžić)
- Two-pronged bristletail Plusiocampa sp. Spilja Rupine. (photo: M. Pavlek)
- Beetle from the family Leiodidae. Spilja Rupine. (photo: A. Komerički)
- Springtail from the family Onychiuridae. Spilja Rupine. (photo: M. Pavlek)
- Species Stalagtia hercegovinensis. Jama u Gomilicama. (photo: M. Pavlek)
- Isopod Oroniscus sp. Špilja u Privoru. (photo: V. Sudar)
- Milliede Typhloglomeris sp. Spilja Rupine. (photo: F. Belak)
- Entrance to the Jama u Priroju (photo: I. Perković)
- Inside of the Jama više vodospreme (photo: V. Sudar)
- Horses at Sv. Ilija (photo: T. Rožman)
- Before departure (photo: V. Sudar)
- Access to Partizanska spilji (photo: A. Komerički)
- Access to Jamiau priroju (photo: V. Sudar)
- On a way to Spilja Rupine. The entrance is on the slopes to the left. (photo: A. Komerički)
- Demanding approaches reward with views like this. (photo: A. Komerički)
- Logo of the 2nd Biospeleological expedition – Pelješac 2019
- Many thanks to the donors!