A century later: Rediscovery and range expansion of Typhlocaris lethaea Parisi, 1920 (Crustacea, Decapoda) in subterranean karstic waters of Benghazi, northeastern Libya

By

Ruggieri, Rosario
Elbaraasi, Houssein
Al Riaydh, Mohammed
Elshaafi, Abdelsalam
Bilal, Awad
Salloum, Fathi
Al Riaydh, Mohammed

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025

Original Publication

Subterranean Biology

Volume

51

Pages

21--29

Subjects

biospeleology , cave ecosystems , conservation biology , Libya , stygobiotic shrimp

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.51.147950

 

Abstract

This study confirms the existence of the blind cave shrimp Typhlocaris lethaea Parisi, 1920, in Lethe Cave, Benghazi, Libya, nearly a century after its initial discovery, and documents its new distribution in the Al-Coeffiah caves. Field surveys conducted in 2023 and 2024 revealed its presence in the El-Khadim and Al-Jebah caves, extending its known range by 9 km. Specimens were found in subterranean lakes characterized by complete darkness, with water parameters including an average temperature of 22 °C, pH of 7.67, and salinity of 4.72 ppt. Two specimens were used for further analysis. These findings suggest that the species is more widespread than previously thought and highlight the potential hydrological connections within the karstic system. Additionally, the discovery of a depigmented isopod in El-Khadim cave suggests further hidden biodiversity. Given its IUCN data-deficient status, our findings emphasize the need for conservation efforts to protect these fragile ecosystems from human impacts, ensuring the preservation of Libya’s unique subterranean biodiversity.