engleski

Conservation of the underground habitats by protection ofthe Narrow-necked blind cave beetle (Leptodirus hochenwartii Schmidt, 1832)

Narrow-necked blind cave beetle (Leptodirus hochenwartii Schmidt, 1832) bears the title of the first described troglobiotic invertebrate and the year of its description is considered as the beginning of the science of biospeleology. Along with its attractive appearance and historical importance, this species is important from the nature protection perspective. L. hochenwartii has entered the legislation of the European Union and is listed in the Habitats directive of the ecological network Natura 2000. Since 2008 members of the Croatian Biospeleological Society (CBSS) are actively working on research and conservation of this species. Results of this work are published online as part of the monitoring program for L. hochenwartii in Croatia. To date the species has been found in over 50 caves in Croatia: Žumberak Mt, Gorski kotar, Učka Mt, Ćićarija Mt and Velebit Mt. During 2014 and 2015 monitoring has been conducted in Žumberak Mt and Gorski kotar. During this monitoring program, L. hochenwartii was recorded in only seven out of 18 caves. The results of the survey showed that the population of Narrow-necked blind cave beetle is threatened, especially due to pollution of its subterranean habitats by solid waste and garbage disposal. Illegal collections of subterranean fauna in some caves possess an additional threat. In order to evaluate the conservation status of the species, permanent monitoring covering the entire range ofthe species is needed. Narrow- necked blind cave beetle represents a powerful tool in the conservation efforts since by protecting this species the entire subterranean system and accompanying fauna is protected.

underground habitats ; Habitats directive ; nature conservation

nije evidentirano