Spanish researchers have discovered a new species of cave beetle in the Krubera Cave, the deepest cave on Earth.
The new species of cave beetle has been called Duvalius Abyssimus, after being identified in the Krubera cave, a mysterious site that draws international scientists and divers from all over the world.
The discovery was made by Ana Sofia Reboleira, a researcher from the Universities of Aveiro and La Laguna, and Vicente M. Ortuno from the University of Alcala.
"The new species of cave beetle is called Duvalius abyssimus," said Ortuño. "We only have two specimens, a male and a female. Although they were captured in the world's deepest cave, they were not found at the deepest point."
Cave beetles are considered one of the most iconic species ever discovered in subterranean habitats. They were the first living organisms ever described by science that adapted to the conditions of hypogean or subterranean life, according to the study.
The majority of the new species have a hypogean lifestyle and live in caves.
"The new species' characteristics indicate that it is moderately adapted to life underground," Ortuno said. "Proof of this is that they still have eyes, which are absent in the highly specialized cave species."
The cave, which is located in the Arabika Massif in the Western Caucasus, is over 21,140 meters deep, and is considered the "Everest of the Caaves," according to the study.
The entrance of the cave is 2,240 meters above sea level and 15 kilometers from the Black Sea.
"The discovery of the new beetle provides important data on species that co-exist in these almost unknown ecosystems, even more so when they are found in a geographical area that is very difficult to access, such is the case with this cave," Ortuno said.
Research was published in the journal Zootaxa.
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