Nature Conservation 5/2011 — 2. 1. 2012 — Research, Surveys and Data Management — Print article in pdf
Mlejnek R. & Lohaj R.: Mysterious „Filtrating“ Beetles
In 1910, Ludwig Vašiček, the Czech amateur entomologist and military officer in the Austrian-Hungarian army, found a funny beetle at the Vjeternica Cave (southern Herzegovina). The insect was described as Hadesia vasicekia year later.
Even more remarkable than discovering a new animal taxon is the fact that the beetle permanently occurs in underground waterfall, or within water flowing down which creates a thin layer on caves walls. The article describes the specific cave beetle group which is known as “water filtrators”. In total, it includes seven genera inhabiting the Dinaric Mts. as well as a genus occurring in the northeastern Italian Alps. The most recent knowledge has been aiming at more detailed analysis of dietary preferences in the individual species. In addition, special efforts have been made to identify up-to-date unknown developmental stages in the “water filtrating” beetles.