Andreev's Eupolybothrus
Eupolybothrus andreevi Matic, 1964
Order Lithobiida
Family Lithobiidae
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Critically endangered CR [B2 a,b(ii) D].
General distribution. Bulgaria.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. A local endemic known only from the Vodnata Peshtera cave at the railway station of the village of Tserovo (Svoge municipality), where it is very rare [1, 2]. Only one female individual is known, caught on 28.09.1962 [1]. In recent years, several expeditions were made aimed at investigating the fauna of the Vodnata cave and the surrounding caves but the species was not registered for the second time.
Habitats. A troglobiont inhabiting the most interior, unlit parts of the caves. A large underground river flows through the Vodnata cave, which presupposes that E. andreevi prefers wetter habitats.
Biology. Not studied. It probably feeds on other ground invertebrate animals that inhabit the cave.
Similar species. None.
Negative factors. In the last 50-60 years, the Vodnata cave has been used as a water source for the village of Tserovo. Many meliorative activities were carried out along the ridge of Ponor mountain that contributed to the reduction of the output of some of the karstic springs in the mountain. It is possible for these activities to have had a negative effect on the numbers of the species.
Conservation measures taken. None.
Conservation measures needed. Additional investigations for specifying concrete measures for the preservation of the species.
References. 1. Matic, 1964; 2. Stoev, 2001.
Author: Pavel Stoev
