Crustaceans from the groundwaters of Vratchanska Planina Mountains

Abstract

Thirty one Crustacean species from 21 localities are reported from groundwaters of Vratchanska Planina Mountain. The list of species is completed on the basis of available bibliographic sources and original data of authors. Faunal samples are collected at the natural access to underground ecosystem, caves and springs. Eight species are stygobionts: three cyclopoids, one harpacticoid, three isopods and one amphipod, or 6.6 % of all the Bulgarian stygobiont Crustacean fauna. Elaphoidella balkanica Apostolov and Protelsonia lakatnicensis (Buresch & Gueorguiev) are local endemic species of the Vratchanska planina Mountains.

Keywords

• Crustaceans
• karst
• caves
• groundwaters
• Vratchanska Planina Mountains
• Bulgaria