EMILE G. RACOVITZA (1868–1947): HIS VIEWS ON THE ADVANCEMENT OF BIOSPELEOLOGY ARE STILL USEFUL TODAY

Abstract

The views of EMILE G. RACOVITZA proposed in his Essay on biospeleological problems (1907) represent a scientific revolution. The major contribution of RACOVITZA to the development of biospeleology, as modern research, is exemplified through excerpts from his publications dealing with various aspects of taxonomy and systematics of cave fauna. We show that RACOVITZA considered taxonomy an important factor for the advancement of biospeleological research. The present contribution documents the long-term effort of RACOVITZA to establish robust taxonomic methods which support the development of new directions in biospeleology, related to the origin and evolution of those organisms. This essay offers a snapshot of the original ideas of RACOVITZA and in this way contributes to keep alive the legacy of a remarkable scientist.

Keywords

• biospeleology
• research methods
• taxonomy
• systematics
• phylogenetics