Author/Editor		Brancelj, Anton
Title		The epikarst habitat in Slovenia and the description of a new species
Type		članek
Source		J Nat Hist
Vol. and No.		Letnik 40, št. 7-8
Publication year		2006
Volume		str. 403-13
Language		eng
Abstract		Paramorariopsis irenae n. sp. is the second species of the genus, which was described for the first time 15 years ago from a small cave in the southern part of Slovenia. The new species is closely related to Paramorariopsis anae Brancelj, 1991. The main differences are found in the ornamentation of caudal rami, abdominal somites and legs P2-P4, while P5 are very similar. It was initially assumed that the genus represented a member of the community inhabiting wet mosses near the cave's entrance. It can now be confirmed that it belongs to a specific community of Copepoda in the epikarst (i.c. part of the unsaturated karst zone). So far two genera are recognised as exclusively epikarstic: Morariopsis Kiefer, 1930 and Paramorariopsis Brancelj, 1991. Both genera were for a long time considered as monospecific with restricted distribution. Intensive sampling of the epikarst zone in Slovenia and Italy revealed that many genera, previously assumed as "rare", are in fact common, widely distributed, and show a considerable level of specific endemiciry. Morphological adaptations of taxa specific for the epikarst are discussed along with detailed discussion on habitat and sampling methods developed for that habitat.
Descriptors		FRESH WATER CRUSTACEA ECOSYSTEM SLOVENIA