Revealing European cave shrimp diversity: a new species of Spelaeocaris (Decapoda, Atyidae) named through public participation

A new species of cave shrimp, Spelaeocaris electa, has been discovered in the Vjetrenica Cave, part of the Dinaric Karst in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This finding underscores the region's exceptional subterranean biodiversity and high endemism. The discovery was made through multiple field campaigns between 2013 and 2021, with specimens analyzed for phylogenetic relationships, revealing a close kinship with Spelaeocaris hercegovinensis. Notably, the species name 'electa' was chosen through public participation, aiming to engage local communities in scientific processes and raise awareness about subterranean biodiversity. The study highlights the need for continued taxonomic research and conservation efforts in this unique ecosystem.

Jugovic, J., Fišer, C., Zagmajster, M., Delić, T., & Zakšek, V. (2026). Revealing European cave shrimp diversity: a new species of Spelaeocaris (Decapoda, Atyidae) named through public participation. ZooKeys, 1267, 51–76. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1267.176622