A new genus and two new species of cavernicolous amphipods (Crustacea: Typhlogammaridae) from the Western Caucasus

Scientists have identified two new species of blind, cave-dwelling amphipods in the Western Caucasus, including a deep-dweller genus, Adaugammarus pilosus, found at unprecedented depths (1270-1700 m) in Sarma Cave. This discovery expands the known diversity of typhlogammarid amphipods and challenges existing taxonomic groupings within the family. The study also reclassified Anopogammarus birsteini and proposed two new species groups for Zenkevitchia, supported by molecular phylogeny (mt-cox1). Speleological expeditions between 2011-12 in Arabika massif caves enabled these findings, contributing to our understanding of subterranean biodiversity and cave adaptation.

Sidorov, D. A., Gontcharov, A. A., & Sharina, S. N. (2015). A new genus and two new species of cavernicolous amphipods (Crustacea: Typhlogammaridae) from the Western Caucasus. European Journal of Taxonomy, (168). https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2015.168