Invertebrates (Non-Insecta) in Bulgaria

Christo Deltshev, Stoice Andreev, Gergin Blagoev, Vasil Golemansky, Gabriela Milojkova, Vlada Peneva, Dobrin Dobrev, Milcho Todorov, and Zdravko Hubenov

Summary

The first investigations of the Bulgarian invertebrate fauna were carried out in the 1800s by Bulgarian and foreign scientists. The invertebrates, however, remain insufficiently researched. In this paper, we focus on the most studied groups of invertebrate animals Protozoa, Nematoda, Oligochaeta (Lumbricidae), Mollusca, Crustacea (Isopoda), Arachnida, and Myriapoda.

A review of previous research suggests that these groups have been comparatively well investigated from a taxonomic and faunistic standpoint. The major gaps in knowledge involve insufficient ecological research, the lack of a "Red Data Book" for the invertebrate fauna in Bulgaria, and inadequately studied areas within the country.

Table 1. Species Richness

Animal Groups	Number of Taxa Researched						% of Estimate
	Phylum	Class	Order	Family	Genus	Species
Protozoa	7	15	52	185	584	1800	60%
Nematoda	-	-	9	54	140	517	60%
Oligochaeta	-	-	-	1	8	54	80%
Mollusca	-	3	11	88	93	432	85%
Crustacea	-	-	1	15	34	93	85%
Arachnida	-	-	6	89	445	1266	80%
Myriapoda	-	2	7	15	59	215	85%
Total	7	20	86	447	1327	4377

The different groups of the Bulgarian invertebrate fauna have not been studied to the same extent (see Table 1). In general, however, species richness is high. Rare, endemic, and relict species are examined in detail. The total number of rare species for all groups is 991, or 22.6% of all species. Territories harboring the highest number of rare species are: the Black Sea coast (222), Vitosha Mountain (182), the western Rhodope Mountains (93), the Strouma River valley (87), and Strandzha Mountain (86). Some of these species are widespread in Europe or Asia, but in Bulgaria inhabit the periphery of their ranges. This accounts for their restricted occurrence and rarity. Other species, however, are as rare in Bulgaria as in Europe or other geographic regions.

The endemic taxa in Bulgaria are divided into two groups, Bulgarian and Balkan, because some are found in adjacent territories of the Balkan Peninsula. The total number of endemic invertebrate species and subspecies found in Bulgaria is 387, or 8.8% of all species and subspecies. The regions with the greatest number of endemic species (Bulgarian/Balkan) are: the western Rhodope Mountains (82/20), western Stara Planina Mountains (74/19), Pirin Mountains (57/14), central Stara Planina Mountains (49/16), and Rila Mountains (42/10). Because of the high incidence of endemism in these territories, they should have priority in any effort to formulate and realize a national biodiversity conservation strategy.

The unique communities of Bulgarian invertebrate fauna are situated in forest, mountain, and high mountain ecosystems; in karst terrains and cave habitats in coastal habitats (beach, sand dunes, lakes, bogs); and in river valley and gorge valley habitats. The high mountain peat bogs, glacier lake systems, mountain streams, caves, and coastal wetlands are of utmost importance for the survival of many groups.

The most susceptible to negative human impacts are the cave animals, but all groups are highly sensitive to the application of chemicals. Other threats to the survival of the invertebrate fauna are discussed and combined into several groups.

A number of conservation recommendations are offered, including concrete suggestions for controlling negative human impacts. These recommendations reflect the general judgment that conservation of the threatened populations of invertebrate animals does not entail protection of individual organisms, but protection of their natural habitats.

Introduction

The invertebrate fauna inhabiting the territory of Bulgaria is insufficiently researched. Different groups of invertebrates have been investigated to varying degrees; some are well researched, while others are insufficiently studied or have not been studied at all. This presents difficulties in trying to assess the current state of the Bulgarian invertebrate fauna. For this reason, we focus our attention on specific groups of invertebrate animals that are relatively well studied - Protozoa, Nematoda, Oligochaeta (Lumbricidae), Mollusca, Crustacea (Isopoda), Arachnida, and Myriapoda.

A Brief Survey of Invertebrate Research in Bulgaria

The first investigations on Protozoa began about 80 years ago. The pioneering scientists in this area were M. Popov (Infusoria, Rhizopoda), T. Morov (Sporozoa), and S. Konsulov (Opalinata). Later, taxonomic and faunistic research was undertaken by P. Patev (1924-1926) (Testacea), A. Vulkanov (1928-1964) (Rhizopoda, Heliozoa), A. Zheliazkova-Paspaleva (Infusoria), and Vulkanova (1981) (Foraminifera). In the last 40 years investigations have focused mainly on parasitic protozoan: Coccidia (Golemansky, 1975-1990; Kyuldzhieva, 1981; Mincheva, 1966; Kostowa, 1989), Amoeba (Kurtova-Mincheva, 1979), Mixozoa (Grupcheva, 1968-1969), and Gregarina (Duhlinska, 1990). Free-living protozoa and fresh water, soil, and marine rhizopods and infisoria are comparatively well studied (Decheva, 1965-1992; Golemansky, 1967-1980; Todorov, 1987-1992).

Research on free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes begin during the 1960s. Much information on the nematodes of Bulgaria was accumulated in this period due to the efforts of a number of researchers: Andrashi (1958), D. Stojanov (1961-1992), Sh. Katalan-Gateva (1961-1992), Choleva (1959-1992), L. Bodurova (1975-1992), O. Bajcheva (1974?1992), S. Nedelchev (1983-1992), V. Peneva (1985-1992), and A. Aleksiev (1986-1992).

The first information concerning lumbricids (Oligochaeta) in Bulgaria was published by Rosa (1897). The next investigations came much later with the work of Chernosvitov (1934-1937). Twenty years later, research in this area continued with Michailova (1963-1966) and Plisko (1963). More recently, contributions have been made by Ducvhlinska (1973-1990), Zichi (1986), and Milojkova (1990).

The first research on Bulgarian Mollusca was performed by the foreign scientists Rossmassler (1835-1859), Mousson (1859), and Jickely (1874). Jurinich (1906) became the first Bulgarian to study the Mollusca. Also very active at this time were Hesse (1911-1916) and Wohlberedt (1911). After World War II, many foreign and Bulgarian malacologists carried out research, including: Drensky (1946-1947), Angelov (1959-1983), Urbansky (1960-1979), Ridel (1960-1975), Hudec (1964-1971), Pinter (1968-1970), Abadzhieva (1957-1984), and Damjanov (1969-1975). In recent years, much data has been gathered through hydrobiological research on Bulgarian rivers (Russev, 1963-1990) and the Black Sea (Marinov, 1960-1990).

Hristovich (1892) reported the first information on the terrestrial isopods. Much later, very important contributions are found in Verhoeff 1926-1936), Strouchal (1939), and Frankenberger (1940-1941). Twenty years later Vandel (1965-1967) described many new species for the Bulgarian isopod fauna. The investigations of Andreev in the last two decades (1970-1990) have been very important.

Research on Bulgarian arachnids begin during the last century, when Pavesi (1876) reported data on spiders and other arachnids. Hristovich (1892) later provided similar information. Jurinich was also a pioneer in this area, publishing the first information on the genus Euscorpius in Bulgaria (1904).

Redicorcev (1928) performed the first faunistic studies of pseudoscorpions. This research continued with the work of Hadzhy (1939), Bajer (1949), Beron (1968), Churchich (1973-1981), and Manhert (1971-1974).

The first important contributions on Bulgarian opiliones were made by Roewer (1926-1957). After Roewer, many articles by Kratochvil (1951-1959), Martens (1966-1969), Shilhavy (1965-1966), and Starega (1963-1976) appeared. More recently, Mitov has been active in this area (1990-1992).

After initial efforts by Pavesi (1876), Drensky began systematic studies on spiders that continued for many years (1909-1955). His articles examined the mountain and high mountain fauna, the cave spiders, ecology, and zoogeography. His Catalogue of the Spiders of the Balkan Peninsula remains a very important contribution. Recent investigations have been undertaken by Deltshev (1968-1992) and Blagoev (1989-1992).

The very few data on Solifugae in Bulgaria are a result of the work of Drensky (1932). Viets (1926-1940), Arndt (1943), and Casper (1951) pioneered the study of Bulgarian water Acari. In the last 20 years, systematic investigations have been carried out by Petrova (1966-1985). Storkan (1936) was the first to study the Tarsonemina. Subsequently, Sawulkina (1976) and Dobrev (1990-1991) continued this line of research.

Jurinich (1904) provided the earliest information on myriapods in Bulgaria. After him, Verhoff (1926-1937) and, twenty years later, Strasser (1960-1975), Gulichka (1967-1968), Matic (1967-1969), Kachmarek (1969-1975), Golemansky 1964-1969), and Ribarov (1986-1989) were active researchers in this field.

As this brief survey of research on the invertebrate fauna in Bulgaria illustrates, investigations have been performed over the decades by both Bulgarian and foreign researchers. This speaks to the great interest, within and beyond the country, in the fauna of Bulgaria.

Gaps in Knowledge and Research Needs

In general, the Bulgarian invertebrate fauna are studied insufficiently and unequally across the separate classes, orders, and families. This is why our attention has focused on specific groups. The foregoing review of research suggests that these groups have been comparatively well studied from a taxonomic and faunistic standpoint. Nevertheless, studies of the species composition of these groups are incomplete. Ecological research is quite insufficient and fragmentary.

What is the situation for each of the separate groups?

With regard to the free-living Protozoa, our knowledge of Amoeba, Suctoria, Foraminiferida and Tintinoidiidae is quite incomplete. With the exception of Testacea, the protozoa have not been the subject of ecological investigations. Research on parasitic protozoans of domestic and wild animals in Bulgaria, mainly from the groups Sporozoa, Microspora, and Mixozoa, is very deficient. Many pathogenic organisms of great importance in determining the density of wild animal populations occur in these groups.

Free-living nematodes occur in almost every conceivable kind of ecologic niche and habitat, but they are very insufficiently researched in Bulgaria. A critical review of previous literature and data is greatly needed.

The investigations on Oligochaeta touch only on the family Lumbricidae; the Euchitridae, Tubiphexidae, Criodrilidae and Haplotaxidae are totally unexplored.

The groups of Mollusca are well studied in Bulgaria. With the exception of Opistobranchia, the species composition of the Black Sea fauna is quite clear. Although much data on the distribution of mollusks in Black Sea biocoenoses and coastal lakes has been collected, this body of knowledge has not been gathered into a single work. The situation with the freshwater and terrestrial mollusks (Mesogastropoda, Basomatophora) is similar: despite many years of research, a single authoritative work has not yet been written. The stigobiontic gastropods (Hydrobiidae) are insufficiently studied, in large part because the collecting of live materials is very difficult.

The order Isopoda (Crustacea) is well studied from the faunistic perspective, but ecological investigations have not been carried out. The species composition of the families Armadillidae, Porcellionidae, and Trachellipidae requires clarification.

The arachnids in Bulgaria have not been studied as extensively as other invertebrate groups. The scorpions and solifugae are represented in Bulgaria only by a single species, but reliable information is very scanty. These groups are not being explored at present.

Only 36 species of pseudoscorpions have been identified in Bulgaria so far, but as many as 150-200 species may occur. The opiliones are well studied faunistically, but only a few ecological investigations have been conducted.

The spiders are a very large group, which leads to real difficulties for research. The orthognatha spiders (Atypidae, Nemesidae) are very insufficiently explored. Unstudied in many respects are the labidognatha spiders the families Dysderidae, Pholcifdae, Linyphiidae, Dictynidae, Amaurobiidae, Clubionidae, Gnaphosidae, and Thomisidae. The main gap is the lack of ecological research.

Among the Acari, the groups Acaridae and Oribatei, which are widespread in the soil substrates, are largely unstudied. For the Tarsonemina, information is very scanty and the families Pygmephoridae and Tarsonemidae are totally unexplored.

The species composition of the myriapods in Bulgaria is well known, but ecological investigations have not been carried out. In summary, the main gap in research on these invertebrate groups is the lack of ecological and zoogeographical studies. Almost nothing has been done to protect these groups. The one exception is the cave (stigobiontic) fauna, which is protected by the law. There is no red data book for the invertebrate animals of Bulgaria. This is an critical gap in the exploration and conservation of biodiversity in Bulgaria.

Geographic Areas Requiring Further Study

The topography of Bulgaria is quite varied, comprising high mountains, wide plains, long river valleys and deep gorges, and an extensive sea coast with beaches and dunes. This geographic variety is the main reason that the Bulgarian invertebrate fauna has been insufficiently explored.

The main territories requiring further study vary according to the different invertebrate groups.

• For the Protozoa (especially as concerns the soil fauna): the western border mountains, Osogovo, Maleshevska, Ograzhden, Belasitsa, and Strandzha Mountains, the Sakhar hilly region, and the Rila, Pirin, and Stara Planina Mountains.
  
  
• For the Nematoda: the Pirin, Rila, Stara Planina, Sredna Gora, Vitosha, and western border mountains.
  
  
• For the Oligochaeta: the western border mountains and the Sredna Gora and Predbalkan Mountains.
  
  
• For the Mollusca: the Sredna Gora and Belasitsa Mountains.
  
  
• For the Crustacea (Isopoda): the Sredna Gora Mountains and the high elevations of the Rila, Pirin, and Stara Planina Mountains.
  
  
• For the Arachnida: the Sredna Gora Mountains, the alpine zone of the Rila, Pirin, and Stara Planina Mountains, the border mountains, and Dunavska Ravnina.
  
  
• For the Myriapoda: the western border mountains. In general, the least explored territories for the groups mentioned are: the Sredna Gora and western border mountains, Osogovo, Vlahina, Maleshevska, Ograzhden, Belasitca, Slavyanka, Sturgach, and Strandzha Mountains, and Sakhar.

Current Assessment

Species Richness

Although the different groups of Bulgarian invertebrate fauna have been studied to varying degrees, research in general has revealed that species richness is high.

Protozoa

1800 species from 7 phyla, 15 classes, 52 orders, 185 families, and 548 genera. 1340 species (74.3%) are free-living. 460 species (25.7%) are parasites of different groups of invertebrate and vertebrate animals. The species richness of protozoa is high. The established number of species is estimated to be about 60% of the total. For some groups of the free-living protozoa, the percentage is about 70; for the parasites, it is estimated that only about 25% have been identified.

Nematoda

517 species from 9 orders, 54 families, and 140 genera. Species richness is high. The established number of species is estimated to be about 60% of the total.

Oligochaeta (Lumbricidae)

54 species from 8 genera of the family Lumbricidae. Species richness is high. The established number of species is estimated to be about 80% of the total.

Mollusca

433 species from 3 classes, 11 orders, and 88 families. This total includes 108 marine species, 90 fresh-water species, and 235 terrestrial species. Species richness is high. The established number of species is estimated to be about 85% of the total.

Crustacea (Isopoda)

93 species from 15 families and 34 genera. Species richness is high. The established number of species is es-timated to be about 85% of the total.

Arachnida

1265 species from 6 orders, 55 families, and 437 genera. The different orders are:

Scorpiones: 2 species from 1 family and 1 genus. Species richness is low.

Pseudoscorpiones: 36 species from 6 families and 15 genera. Species richness is low. The established number of species is estimated to be about 25% of the total.

Opiliones: 45 species from 7 families and 26 genera. Species richness is high. The established number of species is estimated to be about 85% of the total.

Araneae: 750 species from 38 families and 288 genera. Species richness is high. The established number of species is estimated to be about 80% of the total.

Acari (partim): 432 species from 2 suborders, 36 families, and 114 genera. Species richness is high. The established number of species is estimated to be about 60% of the total.

Solifugae: 1 species from 1 family and 1 genus.

Myriapoda

215 species from 2 classes, 13 families, and 59 genera. Species richness is high. The established number of species is estimated to be about 85% of the total.

These numbers will change as further research is undertaken. At this time, the total number of species from the examined groups is 4377.

Rare Species

Rare species are present in the composition of every fauna. Because they usually occur in single localities and in restricted populations, they are easily threatened.

Protozoa

The rare species are mainly free-living protozoa from the groups Sarcomastigophora and Ciliophora.

Among the Sarcomastigophora, 250 species (33.3%) are rare. They are distributed in the different regions as follows: Black Sea coast - 126 species; Vitosha Mountain - 55 spp.; Pirin Mountains - 18 spp.; western Rhodope Mountains - 16 species; and the Rila Mountains - 12 species.

Among the Ciliophora, 172 species (29%) are rare. They are distributed in the different regions as follows: Black Sea coast - 93 species; Vitosha Mountain - 33 spp.; Trakijska Nizina - 25 spp.; and Dunavska Ravnina - 7 spp.

The greatest occurrence of rare species for the two groups are found along the Black Sea coast (219 species; 51.8%) and on Vitosha Mountain (94 spp.; 22.2%).

Nematoda

157 species (35.4%) are rare. Occurrence is highest in Sofijska Kotlovina (41 species), the Strouma River valley (30 spp.), the Rila Mountains (22 spp.), and the Rhodope Mountains (11 spp.).

Oligochaeta (Lumbricidae)

Eight species (14.8%) are rare. They occur in the eastern Rhodopes and along the Black Sea coast (each represented by 2 species) and in western Dunavska Ravnina, the Rila Mountains, Belasitsa Mountain, and Sredna Gora Mountain (each represented by one species).

Mollusca

Sixty taxa (13.8%) are rare. The highest numbers of rare species are found in east Dunavska Ravnina (22 species) and Dobrudzha (14 species).

Crustacea (Isopoda)

Four species (4.3%) are rare. They are found in the Rhodope Mountains (3 species) and the western Stara Planina Mountains (1 species).

Arachnida

Two scorpion species are rare. Euscorpius carpathicus is widespread in Bulgaria, but occurs in restricted populations. E. germanus occurs only in a limited area in the western Rhodope Mountains.

Ten species (27.7%) of pseudoscorpions are rare. These are found in the central (7 species) and western (3 species) Stara Planina Mountains.

Fifteen species (33.3%) of opiliones are rare: 8 species in the central Stara Planina Mountains, 5 species in the Rila Mountains, and 4 species found along the southern Black Sea coast.

The rare species of spiders number 167 (22.2%). They occur in Zemenski Prolom (65 species), the Pirin Mountains (35 spp.), the western Stara Planina Mountains (28 spp.), and along the Black Sea coast (27 spp.).

Among the Acari, 128 species (56.6%) in the Prostigmata and 168 species (81.5%) in the Mesostigmata are recognized as rare. The territories with the greatest number of rare species in the Prostigmata are: Strandzha Mountain (66 species), the Black Sea coast (18 spp.), the western Stara Planina Mountains (13 spp.), the Pirin Mountains (11 spp.), and the western Rhodopes (10 spp.); in the Mesostigmata: Vitosha Mountain (64 species), the Strouma River valley (50 spp.), the eastern Rhodopes (41 spp.), and the central Dunavska Ravnina (34 spp.).

Myriapoda

Nine species (8.7%) of the class Chilopoda and seven species (6.2%) of the class Diplopoda are rare. Rare species of Chilopoda occur in the Stara Planina Mountains, the western Rhodope Mountains, Vitosha Mountain, Strandzha Mountain, and the Black Sea coast (one species each). Rare species of Diplopoda occur in the Rila Mountains, the western Rhodopes, and along the Black Sea coast (one species each).

The total number of rare species for all groups is 991 (29.9% of all species). This proportion can be considered moderate. Territories with the greatest number of rare species are: the Black Sea coast (222), Vitosha Mountain (219), the western Rhodope Mountains (93), the Strouma River valley (87), Strandzha Mountain (86), Trakijska Nizina (83), and the Rila Mountains (76).

Some of these species are widespread in Europe or Asia, but in Bulgaria inhabit the periphery of their ranges. This accounts for the restricted distribution and rarity of their populations. However, there are some species that are as rare in Bulgaria as in Europe or other geographic regions. An example of such a species is Coelotes microlepidus (Araneae), known only from the region of Garda Lake in North Italy and Zemenski Prolom in southwestern Bulgaria.

Endemism

The endemic taxa of invertebrate animals found in Bulgaria are divided into two groups: Bulgarian endemic species and Balkan endemic species. Some of the species that occur only in Bulgaria are restricted to very small areas - a single cave, for example. Others are more widespread within Bulgaria. Still others can also found in adjacent territories in neighboring countries (North Greece, North Turkey, Macedonia, Serbia, and South Romania); these are classified as Balkan endemic species. Endemic species are not established for all of the examined invertebrate groups. We will discuss only those groups in which endemic species are found.

Nematoda

The extent of endemism among the Nematodes is not sufficiently clarified. For this reason, the recognition of endemic species should be considered conditional. With this in mind, 24 endemic species of nematodes - Tylenchida (10), Dorylamida (13), and Aphelenchida (1) - are recognized. This is 4.6% of all species, a low level of endemism. They are found in the Rila Mountains (9 species), the Rhodope Mountains (5 spp.), and Sofijska Kotlovina (3 spp.).

Oligochaeta (Lumbricidae)

Ten endemic species and subspecies in the Oligochaeta (Lumbricidae) are established. This is 18.5% of all taxa, a moderate degree of endemism. The group consists of 4 Bulgarian and 6 Balkan endemic species. The Bulgarian endemics are distributed in the central Stara Planina Mountains (3 species), the western Stara Planina Moun-tains (2 spp.), Vitosha Mountain (2 spp.), the Strouma River valley (2 spp.), and the Rila Mountains, Pirin Mountains, Rhodope Mountains, Belasitsa Mountain, and Zemenski Prolom (1 species each). The Balkan endemics occur in the Strouma River valley (2 species), Belasitsa Mountain (2 spp.), Slavyanka (2 spp.), Dobrudzha (2 spp.), Trakijska Nizina (2 spp.), and the central Stara Planina Mountains, Vitosha, and eastern Predbalkan Mountains (1 species each). The Strouma River valley and Stara Planina Mountains can be considered as possible centers of species generation.

Mollusca

There are 116 endemic taxa in the Mollusca - 20 marine taxa, 13 stigobiontic taxa, and 83 terrestrial taxa. This amounts to 26.9% of all species, a moderate level of endemism. The level is higher in some families (e.g., 62 % of Hydrobiidae, 71 % of Clausilidae - 71%). This is probably due to the intensive process of species generation in these groups in the Balkan peninsula.

Of the 96 established non-marine endemic taxa, 63 (65.6) are Bulgarian and 33 (34.4%) are Balkan. The Bulgarian endemics are distributed in the karst terrains of the Stara Planina Mountains (16 species), the western Rhodope Mountains (14 spp.) the Pirin Mountains (13 spp.), the central Stara Planina Mountains (9 spp.), the Rila Mountains (8 spp.), eastern Dunavska Ravnina (8 spp.), Strandzha Mountain (6 spp.), Vitosha Mountain (6 spp.), and central Predbalkan Mountains, Trakijska Nizina, Slavyanka Mountain, and the southern Black Sea coast (5 spp. each).

The distribution of Balkan endemic species is similar. They are found in the western Rhodope Mountains (9 species), the Pirin Mountains (7 spp.), the central Stara Planina Mountains (7 spp.), and the western Stara Planina Mountains (6 spp.). The Stara Planina Mountains and Rhodope Mountains can thus be considered as possible centers of species generation.

Crustacea (Isopoda)

There are 47 endemic species among the Crustacea, 50.54% of all species. This represents a high level of endemism.

Thirty-nine (41.9%) of these are Bulgarian endemics. They are distributed in the western Stara Planina Mountains (15 species), the eastern Stara Planina Mountains (6 spp.), and the central Stara Planina Mountains, the Rhodope Mountains, and the northern Black Sea coast (5 spp. each).

Eight species (8.6%) are Balkan endemics. They are found in the western Stara Planina Mountains (3 spp.), western and eastern Rhodope Mountains (2 spp. each), and along the Black Sea coast (1 species). The Stara Planina Mountains and Rhodope Mountains can be considered as possible centers of species generation. This assertion is supported by the fact that 22 species within this group are troglobionts.

Arachnida

Nine species of Pseudoscorpiones (25% of all species) are Bulgarian endemics. This is a moderate level of endemism. The species are found in the central Stara Planina Mountains (7 species), western Stara Planina Mountains (2 spp.), and on Vitosha Mountain (1 sp.). They occur only in caves and six are troglobionts. There are no Balkan endemic species of pseudoscorpions.

Fifteen species of Opiliones (33.3% of all species) are endemics. This is a moderate level of endemism. Ten of these (22.2%) are Bulgarian endemics and are distributed in the western and central Stara Planina Mountains (6 species each), the western Rhodope Mountains (5 spp.), in the Rila Mountains and along the southern Black Sea coast (4 spp. each), and in the Pirin Mountains (3 spp.). Five species (11.1%) are Balkan endemics and are found on Vitosha Mountain (5 species), in the central Stara Planina Mountains and in the Sredna Gora Mountains (4 spp. each), and in the eastern Stara Planina Mountains and Zemenski Prolom (3 spp. each). Six of the total of 15 endemic species are troglobionts.

Within the Araneae, 40 species (5.3%) are endemics, a relatively low level of endemism. The Bulgarian endemics number 29 (3.8%) and are found in the Pirin Mountains (13 species), the western Rhodope Mountains (7 spp.), the Rila Mountains and western Stara Planina Mountains (5 spp. each), and at Vitosha Mountain and in the eastern Rhodope Mountains (4 spp. each). The Balkan endemics number 11 (1.47%) and are found in the western Stara Planina Mountains (3 species), in the central Stara Planina Mountains, on Vitosha Mountain, and at Zemenski Prolom (2 spp. each). Among the spiders, only two species are troglobionts.

In the Acari, 15 species (6.6% of all species) of Prostigmata and 6 (3.4% of all species) of Mesostigmata are endemic. This represents a low level of endemism. Of the 18 Bulgarian endemic species in this group, 13 belong to the Prostigmata and 5 to the Mesostigmata. The prostigmata species occur mainly on Strandzha Mountain (4 species) and in the Pirin Mountains, the Strouma River valley, and along the southern Black Sea coast (3 spp. each); the mesostigmata species occur on Vitosha Mountain (3 spp.) and in the Rila Mountains, the western Rhodope Mountains, at Belasitsa Mountain, and along the southern Black Sea coast (2 spp. each). Of the Balkan endemic species, 2 belong to the Prostigmata and one to the Mesosigmata. The prostigmata species are found in the Strouma River valley and the mesostigmata species along the southern Black Sea coast.

Myriopoda

The Myriapoda include 44 endemic species (42.7% of all species) within the class Chilopoda and 60 endemic species (53.6% of all species) within the class Diplopoda. This represents a high rate of endemism.

Of the Bulgarian endemic species, 39 are in Chilopoda and 54 in Diplopoda. The former occur primarily in the western Rhodope Mountains (16 species) and in the Stara Planina Mountains and on Strandzha Mountain (10 spp. each). The latter occur in the Stara Planina Mountains (19 spp.) and in the western Rhodopes (17 spp.).

Of the Balkan endemic species, 5 are in Chilopoda are 6 in Diplopoda. The former are found in the western Rhodope Mountains (4 species), the Pirin Mountains (2 spp.), and in the western Stara Planina Mountains, on Vitosha Mountain, and in the Sredna Gora Mountains (1 species each). The latter are found in the western Rhodope Mountains and Stara Planina Mountains (4 species each), and in the Pirin Mountains, on Strandzha Mountain, and in the Sredna Gora Mountains (1 species each).

Of great importance are the caves in the Stara Planina Mountains and the Rhodope Mountains, where 24 endemic species are found, 22 of which are troglobionts.

The total number of endemic species from all groups is 387 (8.8% of all species). Of these, 68 are Balkan endemic species (1.6% of all species). The overall degree of endemism is relatively low. This estimate, however, should be considered in relative terms, since there are no recognized endemics within the largest group, the Protozoa.

The regions with the greatest number of endemic species (Bulgarian/Balkan) are: the western Stara Planina Mountains (56/14), the western Rhodope Mountains (52/13), the Pirin Mountains (48/10), the central Stara Planina Mountains (39/14), Vitosha Mountain (20/8), Strandzha Mountain (16/6), and the Black Sea coast (15/9) (see Table 2).

The spatial distribution of Bulgarian and Balkan endemic species is quite similar. For this reason, territories containing the greatest number of endemic species should have priority in implementing the national biodiversity conservation strategy.

Relict Species

We will mention here only relict species that were not covered under the above discussion of endemic species. This includes only relict species of Mollusca. The total of 33 species (7.62%) are divided between two groups: caspian (aquatic species) and tertiarian (terrestrial species). The greatest number of terrestrial species are found on Strandzha Mountain (9 species) and along the southern Black Seacoast (8 species).

Ecosystems and Unique Communities

The high level of species richness and the presence of many endemic species illustrate quite clearly the unique character of the Bulgarian invertebrate fauna. This in turn reflects the rich genetic makeup of this fauna and the special geographic position of the country - on the border between Europe and Asia on one side, and adjacent to the Mediterranean basin on the other. As a result, this fauna contains typical middle-European, mediterranean, eurosiberian, arctoalpian, and subtropical faunistic elements. The topography, climate, and paleogeographic history have been critical factors in creating and maintaining many unique faunal communities.

These ecosystems and communities are concentrated within different regions for the different invertebrate groups.

The Bulgarian Black Sea coast is of great importance in terms of Protozoan communities. As part of a unique sea ba-sin with low salt concentration (15-18%) and a relatively high concentration of hydrogen sulphide, the Black Sea coast supports a rich protozoan fauna, comprised mainly of species from the genera Centropyxiella, Pomoriella, Alepiella, Ogdeniella, and Corthionella. Black Sea protozoa play an important role in the ecosystem as links in the trophic chains of the vertebrate marine animals.

A very rich and diverse protozoan fauna occurs in the high mountain peat bogs, glacier lake systems, and mountain streams. These are found primarily in the alpine zone of the Rila and Pirin Mountains.

Table 2. Distribution of Non-Insecta Endemic (BG - Bulgarian, BK - Balkan), Relict, and Rare Species in Bulgaria.

Geographic Territories	Endemic		Relict	Rare	Total	%
	BG	BK
Dounavska Ravnina
West	0	2	6	6	14	0.99
Central	1	0	1	47	49	3.48
East	12	5	6	53	76	5.40
Predbalkan
West	4	0	1	0	5	0.36
Central	9	3	1	3	16	1.14
East	0	0	1	1	2	0.14
Stara Planina
West	74	19	1	57	151	10.72
Central	49	16	1	42	108	7.67
East	17	4	5	19	45	3.20
Prehodna Oblast
Kraishtensko-Konyavska	14	7	0	71	92	6.53
Sofiyska kotlovina	7	0	3	46	56	3.98
Golo bardo	0	0	0	1	1	0.07
Vitosha	25	10	3	181	219	15.55
Plana	1	1	0	0	2	0.14
Sredna Gora	0	5	0	0	5	0.36
Ihtimanska	0	0	3	0	3	0.21
Sashtinska	4	3	0	1	8	0.57
Surnena	0	0	0	4	4	0.28
Trakiyska nizina	16	11	6	83	116	8.24
Sakharo-Tundzhanska	2	1	3	4	10	0.71
Strandzha	32	8	9	86	135	9.59
Bourgaska nizina	0	0	3	0	3	0.21
Rila-Rhodope Massif
Osogovo	3	1	0	0	4	0.28
Rila	42	10	2	76	130	9.23
Pirin	57	14	1	59	131	9.30
Srednostroumska dolina	13	3	4	87	107	7.60
Ograzhden	4	2	0	13	19	1.35
Belasitsa	4	3	0	9	16	1.14
Slavyanka	6	6	0	1	13	0.92
Rhodope	0	0	3	0	3	0.21
West	82	20	2	93	197	13.99
East	17	7	4	3	31	2.20
Black Sea Coast	0	0	2	222	224	15.91
North to Dobrudzha	18	8	3	38	67	4.76
South	19	11	8	49	87	6.18
Total	71	319	30	991	1408

For free-living soil and water Nematoda, the forest and high mountain ecosystems are especially significant. Characteristic of these communities are species from the genera Dorylamida, Monhysterida, and Mononchida, among others. Important territories in this regard are Vitosha Mountain and the Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope Mountains.

The lumbicids (Oligochaeta) are important components of soil ecosystems. Unique communities are found in the Strouma and Mesta River valleys, where the mediterranean influence is quite strong. The wetlands of the Black Sea coast also support important communities of lumbricids.

Highly important in terms of Mollusca communities are those areas that contain the greatest number of endemic species: limestone terrains of the Stara Planina Mountains, the Pirin Mountains, and the southern Black Sea coast. Very distinctive communities of relict species are found on Strandzha Mountain and coastal limestone terrains.

Endemism is very high among the Crustacea (Isopoda). Consequently, there are many unique communities of endemic species, distributed mainly in the forests and caves of the Stara Planina and Rhodope Mountains.

Unique communities are found among all the groups of Arachnida. For pseudoscorpions, the forest and cave habitats in the Stara Planina Mountains and on Vitosha Mountain are highly important; for Opiliones, the forest, cave, and high mountains habitats in the Stara Planina, Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope Mountains and on Vitosha Mountain, as well as the coastal habitats of Black sea. Spiders (Araneae) are widely distributed and occur in most kinds of habitats. Very distinctive and important, however, are the communities occurring in the high mountain habitats of the Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope Mountains, Vitosha Mountain, and the Stara Planina Mountains, as well as the karst terrains and caves in the mountains and coastal habitats of the Black Sea.

For the Acari, as well as the Myriapoda, the most important communities occur in the same critical habitats as do communities discussed under the previous groups.

For the Bulgarian invertebrate fauna as a whole, then, the unique communities are situated mainly in forest, mountain, and high mountain ecosystems, in karst terrains and cave habitats, in coastal and aquatic habitats (beach, sand dunes, lakes, and bogs), and in the river valley and gorge valley habitats.

Critical Habitats

Certain areas or habitats are of critical importance for the survival of many groups.

Of great importance for all groups are the high mountain peat bogs that occur in all the high mountains of Bulgaria (Rila, Pirin, Rhodope, Stara Planina, and Vitosha). The mountain streams and the glacial lake systems of the high mountains are of utmost importance for Protozoa and Acari, and certainly for the other groups as well. The snow drifts on the high mountain peaks are very important for the arctic-alpine species.

Caves are also highly critical habitats. They are limited in extent and distribution and play an important role in underground ecosystems. Cave habitats are characterized by high (100%) and constant humidity, constant temperature (7-12° C), and constant darkness. These conditions are obligatory for those animals that inhabit caves, especially troglobionts. Cave faunal communities are unique and protection of the special cave environments is essential to their survival. Very important in this respect are caves in the Stara Planina Mountains (e.g., Temnata dupka, Suhata peshtera, Cerovskata, Dinevata peshtera, Meshata dupka, Ledenika, Morovica, Dryanovskata, Ponora) and in the western Rhodope Mountains (Yagodinska peshtera, Ledenicata,Sbirkovata peshtera, Borikovskata peshtera, and others).

Very distinctive and ecologically important are the coastal habitats of the Black Sea. This transition zone is of great importance for biodiversity in all invertebrate groups. The destruction of these habitats will be pernicious for many species.

Fragility and Known Threats

The groups examined above vary in their sensitivity to negative human impacts.

The most susceptible are the cave animals. This pertains to all troglobionts (Mollusca, Crustacea, Arachnida, Myriapoda). The contemporary exploitation of caves produces a wide range of human impacts. These impacts trigger many problems for the conservation of both the biotic and abiotic characteristics of caves. Cave fauna, it should be noted, are not less vulnerable because of their relative degree of isolation or inaccessibility. Human impacts are reported to have affected cave populations and even led to their extinction.

Despite their high density, Protozoa and Nematoda are highly sensitive to the application of chemicals (especially in agricultural systems). This is of concern for the Oligochaeta and Mollusca as well.

The sensitivity of the Isopoda, Arachnida, and Myriapoda to most common human activities is moderate. However, they are also highly sensitive to the application of chemicals.

Representative Sites

For Protozoa: the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and high mountain habitats of the Rila, Pirin, Rhodope, Stara Planina, and Vitosha Mountains.

For Nematoda: the forest habitats of the Rila and Rhodope Mountains, the soil habitats of Sofijska Kotlovina, and the valleys of the Strouma and Mesta Rivers.

For Oligochaeta (Lumbricidae): the Rila, Pirin, Rhodope, Stara Planina, and Vitosha Mountains, the Black Sea coast, and the valleys of the Strouma, Mesta, Maritsa, and Tundzha Rivers.

For Mollusca: the Stara Planina, Pirin, Rila, western Rhodope, and Strandzha Mountains and the Black Sea coast.

For Crustacea (Isopoda): the Stara Planina, Rhodope, and Strandzha Mountains.

For Arachnida: for Scorpiones - the western Rhodope Mountains and Iskurski Prolom; for Pseudoscorpiones - the western and central Stara Planina Mountains; for Opiliones - the Stara Planina, Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope Mountains, and the Strouma River valley; for Solifugae - the Strouma River valley; for Araneae - the Rila, Pirin, Rhodope, Stara Planina, and Vitosha Mountains, the Black Sea coast, and the valleys of the Strouma, Mesta, Maritsa, and Tundzha Rivers.

For Acari: the Rila, Pirin, and western Rhodope Mountains and the Black Sea coast.

For Myriapoda: the Rila, Pirin, western Rhodope, and Strandzha Mountains.

Historic, Current, and Potential Threats

The invertebrate fauna in Bulgaria is subject to a variety of forces that threaten its members with annihilation and extinction. Historically, these forces have included glaciation during the Pleistocene, climate change, the cutting of the forests, agricultural, and other specific human land use activities. Today, the threats to the survival of the invertebrate biota are very significant and can be classified into several groups.

The impact of draining of coastal wetlands and small rivers on the species diversity of Protozoa, Acari, and others groups is very pernicious.

Another widespread problem is the pollution of water basins, which severely affects the survival of populations of aquatic organisms from different invertebrate groups.

The fauna of the coastal dune and salt soils is greatly threatened by the construction of resorts (buildings, camp sites, roads, etc.). This is of special concern at Beliya bryag by Kavarna, in the district of Sinemoretc, and at most of resort sites along the Black Sea coast.

Invertebrate biodiversity is threatened by the planting of large areas with crops and the use of pesticides in these croplands. Such problems affect the valleys of the Strouma, Mesta, Maritsa, Tundzha, and other rivers. These regions are of utmost importance for the biodiversity of all invertebrate groups.

A real threat for the high mountain invertebrate fauna is the building of ski-roads, rope-lines, and lifts, and the treating of ski-roads with chemicals. The high mountain invertebrate animals are very sensitive to the application of chemicals.

A further threat to mountain ecosystems is the cutting of forests and the plowing of some mountain terrains. These have strong negative impacts on biodiversity and the density of the populations of every invertebrate group.

Development of caves has become a real threat to populations of invertebrate cave animals. The paving of cave pathways has reduced their numbers, and in many cases the fauna along these passages have disappeared. The creation of artificial galleries, as well as the modification of existing ones, appears to be a common procedure in the development of caves. This intervention leads to alterations in the abundance and diversity of the existing organisms as a result of rapid microclimatic change.

Finally, the invertebrate fauna occurring on sites near towns is very strong threatened by urban development.

Recommendations

One main idea should guide the conservation of invertebrate animals in Bulgaria: successful conservation requires not the protection of individual organisms or species, but protection of their natural habitats.

This will require, first of all, strict control over the pollution of water basins and the draining, canalization, and damming of different water sources. Water diversions, which entail the drainage of large areas, need to be brought under control as well. One such project, for example, will require the diversion of waters from the basin of the Strouma River to that of the Maritsa River. Such projects can place under severe threat a large proportion of the endemic, relict, and rare invertebrate species.

Severe controls are needed to curtail the draining and pollution of the coastal wetlands and of the small rivers feeding the Black Sea. Construction of resorts near the Black Sea should proceed only after ecological experts have prepared reports and impact assessments.

A large problem for the diversity of the invertebrate fauna is the impact of human agricultural activity. Here the only real solution is the adoption of ecologically sound methods of agriculture, This, however, will require a long period of time. For the time being, it is most necessary to place the application of chemicals under severe control.

In the future, development of caves and construction (of any sort) in high mountains should go forward only after ecological experts have prepared reports and impact assessments. All applications of chemicals should be prohibited in these areas.

Sites containing the most representative samples of Bulgaria's biodiversity are concentrated in the mountains, along river valleys, and on the Black Sea coast. This suggests that new protected areas need to be established in these regions. Existing national parks - Vitosha, Pirin, and Stara Planina - should be expanded and certain critical parts of the parks should be given reserve status.

The endemic taxa are concentrated in the western Rhodope Mountains. For this reason, a portion of the Rhodopes should be designated a national park.

Several reserves have been designated on Strandzha Mountain These should be combined into a national park.

Urbanization of the Black Sea coast and the valleys of the Strouma, Mesta, Maritsa, and Tundzha Rivers is a significant problem. In these areas, the situation can be improved by creating new natural reserves.

Finally, it should once again be emphasized that the conservation of populations of invertebrate animals does not require protection of the individuals, but protection of their natural habitats.

Appendix 1. Rare Protozoa (Dr. Vasil Golemansky, Dr. Milco Todorov)

SARCOMASTIGOPHORA SARCODINA AMOEBIDA Amoeba bulgarica Pateff, 1932      Vitosha Mountain, Kostinbrod. Amoeba echinata Pateff, 1932      Vitosha Mountain Amoeba lanceolata Pateff, 1924      Plovdiv. Biomyxa agregata Valkanov, 1934      Sofia. Chichkovia reticulata Valkanov, 1931       Kadievo. Patevia bistadialis Valkanov, 1931       Sofia. TESTACEA ARCELLINIDA Centropyxidae Alepiella tricornuta Golemansky, 1970        Black Sea. Centropyxiella gibbula Valkanov, 1970        Black Sea. Centropyxiella platystoma Golemansky, 1981        Black Sea. Cyclopyxis pirini Golemansky, 1974        Pirin Mountains: Popovo ezero. Vitosha Mountain: Platoto. Cochliopodidae Gocevia pontica Valkanov, 1932       Black Sea. Hyalospheniidae Pomoriella valkanovi Golemansky, 1970        Black Sea. Microchlamyidae Microchlamys sylvatica Golemansky, Skarlato & Todorov, 1987       Vitosha Mountain: Bistrishko Branishte. Paraquadrulidae Paraquadrula madarica Valkanov, 1962       Madara. MONOTHALAMIDA Phryganellidae Phryganella microps Valkanov, 1963       Varna. GROMIIDA Allogromiidae Euglyphinopsis pontica Valkanov, 1970       Black Sea. Rhumbleriella filosa Golemansky,1970       Black Sea. Amphitrematidae Paramphitrema pontica Valkanov, 1970       Black Sea.	Cyphoderiidae Campascus vulgaris Valkanov, 1934       Brackish water. Euglyphidae Euglyphella delicatula Valkanov, 1964       Strandzha Mountain. Playfairina valkanovi Golemansky, 1966      Vitosha Mountain: Platoto.       Rhodope Mountains: Beglika. Gromiidae Leptogromia operculata Valkanov, 1970       Black Sea. Ogdeniella maxima Golemansky, 1970       Black Sea. Psammonobiotidae Chardezia caudata Golemansky, 1970       Black Sea. Corythionella pontica Golemansky, 1970       Black Sea. Messemvriella filosa Golemansky, 1973       Black Sea. LABYRINTHOMORPHA Labyrinthodyction magnificum Valkanov, 1972      Black Sea. Labyrinthula valkanovi (Valkanov) Karling, 1941      Black Sea. SPOROZOA GREGARINIDA Gregarina troglophili Golemansky & Lipa, 1991      H.: Troglophilus neglectus      Rhodope Mountains:      "Imamova doupka" cave. Lepismatophila plusiocampae Tashev & Golemansky, 1973      H.: Plusiocampa bureschi      Lakatnik: "Temnata doupka" and "Zidanka" caves. Stenophora beroni Golemansky, 1973      H.: Balkanopetalum armatum      Belidie han: "Kolibata" caves.      Stenophora bulgarosomae Golemansky, 1973      H.: Bulgarosoma meridionale Rhodope      Mountains: "Yagodinska" cave.      H.: Bulgarosoma bureschi Vratsa: "Ledenika" cave. Stenophora gervaisiae Golemansky & Lipa, 1991      H.: Gervaisia costata      Rhodope Mountains: "Er kyupriya" cave. Stenophora serbojuli Golemansky & Lipa, 1991      H.: Serboiulus speleophilus      Vidin: "Vodna pech" cave. Stenophora typhloiuli Golemansky & Tashev, 1973      H.: Typhloiulus bureschi      Lakatnik: "Temnata doupka" cave. CILIOPHORA PROSTOMATIDA Trachelocercidae Trachelocerca curvirostre Valkanov, 1934      Brackish water. Tracheloraphis totevi Kovaleva & Golemansky, 1979       Black Sea.

Appendix 2. Endemic Species of Nematoda (Dr. Vlada Peneva)

DORYLAIMIDA Alaimidae Alaimus macer Andrassy, 1958       Rila Mountains. Aphelenchididae Aphelenchoides speciosus Andrassy, 1958       Stara Planina Mountains. Diphtherophoridae Diphthrophora bataki Nedelchev & Jacob, 1993       Western Rhodope Mountains: Batak. Diphthrophora bulgarica Gateva & Aleksiev, 1988       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Diphthrophora curvata Gateva & Aleksiev, 1988       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Diphthrophora malkovi Choleva & Nedelchev, 1992       Western Rhodope Mountains. Diphthrophora vitoshae Nedelchev & Jacob, 1993       Vitosha Mountain. Diphthrophora wasilevi Choleva & Nedelchev, 1992       Thrace: Pazardzhik. Tylolaimophorus bulgaricus (Anrassy, 1958)       Rhodope Mountains, Kostinbrod. Dorylaimidae Mesodorylaimus meyli Andrassy, 1958       Western Rhodope Mountains. Quasdianematidae Eudorylaimus algeni (Andrassy, 1958)       Vitosha Mountain, Pirin Mountains. Eudorylaimus bureshi (Andrassy, 1958)       Rila Mountains. Eudorylaimus perspicuus (Andrassy, 1958)       Stara Planina Mountains, Pirin Mountains.

Eudorylaimus simus (Andrassy, 1958)       Rila Mountains. Tylencholaimellidae Tylencholaimellus marianae Andrassy, 1958       Western Rhodope Mountains. TYLENCHIDA Belonolaimidae Geocenamus gatevi Budurova, 1988       Kostinbrod. Telotylenchus lanceolatus Budurova, 1988       Kostinbrod. Pratylenchidae Pratylenchoides katalani Gateva & Aleksiev, 1990       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Pratylenchoides wassilevi Stojanov & Baicheva, 1988       General Toshevo. Tylenchidae Filenchus baloghi (Andrassy, 1958)       Western Rhodope Mountains: Dragalevtsi. Filenchus butteus (Thorne & Malek, 1968)       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Filenchus thornei (Andrassy, 1954)       Strandzha-Sakhar: Gabar. Filenchus uliginosus (Brzeski, 1977)       Strandzha Mountain: Novo Panicharevo. Malenchus paramonovi Gateva & Aleksiev, 1990       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Tylenchus parangalici Gateva & Aleksiev, 1990       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa.

Appendix 3. Rare Species of Nematoda (Dr. Vlada Peneva)

AREOLAIMIDA Cylindrolaimidae Cylindrolaimus monhystera Schneider, 1937       Rhodope Mountains. Protoplectus inquirendus (Andrassy, 1958)       Rila Mountains. Protoplectus tenuis (Bastian, 1865)       Thrace. CHROMADORIDA Cyatholaimidae Chromadora terricola (de Man, 1880)       Rila Mountains. DORYLAIMIDA Actinolaimidae Actinolaimus cinctus Cobb in Thorne, 1939       Rila Mountains. Alaimidae Alaimus editorus de Man, 1880       Sofia district. Ditylenchus anchilisposum (Tarjan, 1958)       Kostinbrod. Aphelenchidae Aphelenchus cylindricaudatus (Steiner, 1926)       Petrich. Aphelenchus mirzai Das, 1960       Pirin Mountains. Aphelenchus solani (Steiner, 1935)       Thrace. Aphelenchoides arcticus Sanwal, 1965       Petrich. Aphelenchoides cyrtus Paesler, 1973       Western Rhodope Mountains. Aphelenchoides kuehnii Fisher, 1898       Thrace. Aphelenchoides trivialis Franklin & Siddiqi, 1963       Petrich. Apritidus guidetti Scognamiglio, 1974       Strandzha Mountain? Seinura mali Fuch, 1931       Dragalevtsi. Seinura oxurus (Paesler, 1987)       Blagoevgrad. Diphtherophoridae Diphthrophora communis de Man, 1880       Kostinbrod. Diphthrophora granata Husain & Khan, 1967       Dragalevtsi. Diphthrophora kazachstani Razzhivin, 1971       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Diphthrophora obesus Thorne, 1939       Kosinbrod. Prodorylaimidae Prodorylaimus brigdammensis (de Man, 1876)       Varna. Quasdianematidae Eudorylaimus angulosus (Thorne & Swanger, 1936)       Rila Mountains. Eudorylaimus brunettii Meyl, 1953       Kostinbrod. Eudorylaimus diminutivus (Thorne & Swanger, 1936)       Western Rhodope Mountains. Eudorylaimus discolaimoides (Andrassy, 1958)       Rila Mountains. Eudorylaimus gracilis (de Man, 1876)       Pirin Mountains. Eudorylaimus humulis (Thorne & Swanger, 1936)       Western Rhodope Mountains. Eudorylaimus maritus Andrassy, 1959       Rila Mountains. Eudorylaimus nodus (Thorne & Swanger, 1936)       Vitosha Mountain. Eudorylaimus parvus (de Man, 1880)       Western Rhodope Mountains. Eudorylaimus rhopalocercus (de Man, 1876)       Petrich, Stara Planina Mountains,       Pirin Mountains. Trichodoridae Trichododrus aequalis Allen, 1957       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Trichododrus velatus Hooper, 1972       Varna, Plovdiv. Trichododrus viruliferus Hooper, 1963       Western Rhodope Mountains. Tylencholaimelliadae Tylencholaimellus affinis (Brakenhoff, 1914)       Pirin Mountains. Utahnema tenuidens Thorne, 1939       Blagoevgrad. ENOPLIDA Cryptonchidae Aulolaimus oxycephalus de Man, 1880       Blagoevgrad. Ironidae Ironus ignavus Bastian, 1865       Rila Mountains. Oxystominidae Bastiania gracilis de Man, 1876       Western Rhodope Mountains. Panagrolaimidae Micronema minutum Korner, 1954       Western Rhodope Mountains. Panagrolaimus goodey Rhum, 1956       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Panagrolaimus paetzoldi Goodey, 1963       Prisan. Panagrolaimus verucosus Fuchs, 1930       Gabur. Rhabditidae Coarctadera kolbi (Sachs, 1950)       Thrace: Kazanka, Vishegrad. Mesorhabditis inarimensis (Meyl, 1953)       Thrace. Mesorhabditis oschei (Korner in Osche, 1952)       Blagoevgrad. Mesorhabditis ultima (Korner in Osche, 1952)       Thrace. Pelliodites hartmani (Sachs, 1952)       Thrace: Vishegrad. Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Schneider, 1859)       Blagoevgrad. Protorhabditis tristis (Hirshmann, 1952)       Varna. Protorhabditis xylocola (Korner in Osche, 1952)       Petrich. Rhabditis guignardi Maupas, 1900       Thrace. Rhabditis intermedia de Man, 1880       Stara Planina Mountains. Rhabditis marionis Maupas, 1899       Blagoevgrad. Teratocephalidae Euteratocephalus palustris (de Man, 1880)       Pirin Mountains. TYLENCHIDA Anguinidae Ditylenchus geraerti Paramonov, 1970       Dragalevtsi. Ditylenchus minutus Husain & Khan, 1967       Kostinbrod. Subanguina askenasyi (Butschli, 1873)       Thrace: Pazardzhik. Neotylenchidae Hexatylus intermedius Christie, 1938       Blagoevgrad. Nothotylenchidae Nothotylenchus affinis Thorne, 1941       Kostinbrod. Nothotylenchus drymoculus Rhum, 1956       Blagoevgrad. Nothotylenchus utschini Gagarin, 1974       Kostinbrod. Paratylenchidae Gracilacus idalima (Raski, 1962)       Dobrudzha Turnovtsi. Paratylenchus bucowinensis (Micoletky, 1922)       Stara Planina Mountains: Cherepish. Paratylenchus elachistus Steiner, 1949       Kazanluk. Paratylenchus minusculus Tarjan, 1960       Blagoevgrad. Trophonema arenaria (Raski, 1956)       Katuntsi. Pratylenchidae Pratylenchus flakkensis Seinhors, 1968       Sofia district. Pratylenchus goodey Sher & Allen, 1953       Blagoevgrad. Pratylenchus hexincisus Taylor & Jenkins, 1957       Dragalevtsi. Pratylenchus loosi Loof, 1960       Kostinbrod. Pratylenchus mulhandi Nandakumar & Khera, 1970       Dragalevtsi. Pratylenchus pinquicaudatus Corbett, 1969       Dobrich. Pratylenchus subpenetrans Taylor & Jenkins, 1957       Dragalevtsi.

Diphthrophora vanoyei de Coninck, 1931       Sofia district. Dorylaimidae Dorylaimus caszabi Andrassy, 1959       Blagoevgrad. Dorylaimus termophilus Meyl, 1953       Kostinbrod. Mesodorylaimus abberans Loof, 1969       Novo Panicharevo. Mesodorylaimus luci Brzeski & Sczygiel, 1961       Novo Panicharevo. Dorylaimoididae Dorylaimoides bulbosus Sczygiel, 1965       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Longidoridae Longidorus macrosoma Hooper, 1961       Eastern Rhodope Mountains. Longidorus africanus Merny, 1966       Pleven. Longidorus attenuatus Hooper, 1961       Blagoevgrad, Pazardzhik. Longidorus closelongatus Stoyanov, 1964       Blagoevgrad, Kovachitsa. Longidorus leptocephalus Hooper, 1961       Hadzhi Dimovo. Longidorus profundorum Hooper, 1965       Kostinbrod. Longidorus sylphus Thorne, 1939       Stara Planina Mountains, Blagoevgrad. Paralongidorus maximus (Butschli, 1874)       Varna. Xiphinema basilgoodey Coomans, 1961       Kostinbrod. Xiphinema neovuittenezi Dalmasso, 1969       Bourgas. Xiphinema opisthohysterum Siddiqi, 1961       Kostinbrod. Xiphinema turcicum Luc & Dalmasso, 1963       Bourgas, Kostinbrod, Vinarevo. Mononchidae Mononchus sigmaturus (Cobb, 1917)       Thrace. Nordiidae Enchodelus arcuatus (Thorne, 1939)       Rila Mountains. Enchodelus thorne Baqri & Jairajpuri, 1974       Sofia district. Nygolaimidae Nygolaimus brachyurus de Man, 1880       Blagoevgrad. Nygolaimus hartingii de Man, 1880       Pirin Mountains, Blagoevgrad Trypilidae Trypila affinis de Man, 1880       Kostinbrod. Trypila papillara Butschli, 1873       Rila Mountains. MONHYSTERIDA Monhysteridae Eumonhysera similis (Butschli, 1873)       Stara Planina Mountains. Eumonhystera dispar (Bastian, 1865)       Varna. Eumonhystera simplex (de Man, 1880)       Stara Planina Mountains. Monhysterella stagnalis Bastian, 1865       Varna. RHABDITIDA Bunonematidae Bunonema tuerkorum Sachs, 1949       Vitosha Mountain. Cephalobidae Acrobeloides labiatus Ivanova, 1968       Blagoevgrad. Acrobeloides maximus (Thorne, 1925)       Pirin Mountains. Cervidellus serratus (Thorne, 1925)       Blagoevgrad. Chiloplacus deconincki Coomans, 1962       Strandzha Mountain: Novo Panicharevo. Chiloplacus demani (Thorne, 1925)       Thrace. Chiloplacus obtusicaudatum (Kreis, 1930)       Strandzha Mountain: Novo Panicharevo. Chiloplacus sclerovaginatus Sumenkova & Razzhivin, 1968       Petrich. Eucephalobus laevis Thorne, 1937       Karlovo. Eucephalobus longicaudatus (Butschli, 1873)       Blagoevgrad. Chambersiellidae Macrolaimus crucis Maupas, 1900       Thrace. Diplogasteridae Demaniella cibourgensis Steiner, 1914       Thrace: Harmanli. Diplogaster longicauda Claus, 1862       Thrace: Haskovo. Diplogaster microcerca Wollenweber, 1921       Thrace: Pazardzhik. Diplogaster tenuis Schneider, 1923       Blagoevgrad. Diplogasteritus superbus (Paesler, 1946)       Rila Mountains: Samokov. Diplogastrellus gracilis (Butschli, 1876)       Karlovo. Belonolaimidae Geocenamus hexincisus Jairajpuri & Baqri, 1971       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Geocenamus mamilatus (Tabar-Jimenez, 1966)       Kostinbrod. Geocenamus nothus (Allen, 1955)       Kostinbrod. Geocenamus sphaerocephalus Ivanova, 1982       Thrace: Asenovgrad. Trophurus maratwadensis Suryawanshi, 1971       Kostinbrod. Trophurus minesotensis (Caveness, 1958)       Dragalevtsi. Tylenchorynchus brevilineatus Williams, 1960       Katuntsi. Tylenchorynchus clarus Allen, 1955       Thrace: Asenovgrad. Tylenchorynchus irregularis Wu, 1969       Kostinbrod. Tylenchorynchus latus Allen, 1955       Kostinbrod. Tylenchorynchus mexicanus Knobloch & Laughlin, 1973       Dragalevtsi. Tylenchorynchus sulcatus de Guiran, 1967       Kostinbrod. Criconematidae Criconema raskii (Goodey, 1963)       Pleven. Criconemella mongolensis (Andrassy, 1964)       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Criconemella pseudosolivaga de Grisse, 1964       Western Rhodope Mountains. Criconemella solivaga (Andrassy, 1962)       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Crossonema menzeli (Stephanski, 1924)       Western Rhodope Mountains, M. Turnovo. Ogma hungaricum Andrassy, 1962       Strandzha Bulgari, Western Rhodope Mountains,       Gramatikovo. Hemicyliophoridae Hemicycliophora labiata Colbran, 1960       Kostinbrod. Hoplolaimidae Helicotylenchus breviglans Sher, 1965       Kostinbrod. Helicotylenchus platyurus Perry in Perry,       Darling & Thorne, 1959       Kostinbrod. Rotylenchus alpinus Eroshenko, 1976       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Rotylenchus brevicaudatus Colbran, 1962       Dragalevtsi. Scutellonema communae van der Berg & Heyns, 1973       Karlovo. Tylenchidae Aglenchus parvus (Siddiqi, 1963)       Petrich. Basiria abberans (Thorne, 1949)       Dragalevtsi. Basiria graminofila Siddiqi, 1959       Kazanluk. Basiria minor Geraert, 1968       Rila Mountains: Parangalitsa. Basiria obliquus (Thorne & Malek, 1968)       Dragalevtsi. Basiria tumida (Colbran, 1960)       Dragalevtsi. Boleodorus acutus Thorne & Malek, 1968       Kostinbrod. Boleodorus impar Khan & Basir, 1964       Kostinbrod. Boleodorus rafiqi Husain & Khan, 1964       Kostinbrod. Gracilanea graciloides (Micoletzky, 1925)       Pirin Mountains. Psilenchus clavicaudatus (Micoletzky, 1922)       Dragalevtsi. Tylenchus ritai Siddiqi, 1963       Kazanluk.

Appendix 4. Bulgarian Endemic Species of Lumbricidae (Asst. Prof. Gabriela Milojkova)

Allolobophora biserialis Cern., 1934       Zemen, Lyulin Mountain, Vratsa       ("Ledenika" cave), Sliven ("Dolna maza" cave),       Kresna, Predela, Vitosha Mountain. Allolobophora bulgarica Cern., 1934       Bourgas (v. Kyupriya), Vitosha Mountain, Kotel       ("Kipilovska" cave), Strandzha Mountain       (Grudovo), Belasitsa Mountain, Predela.

Allolobophora tuleskovi (Cern., 1934)       Pirin Mountains, Kresna, Simitli. Dendrobaena rhodopensis (Cern., 1937)       Rhodope Mountains, Teteven Mountain, Rila       Mountains (Maliovitsa, Borovets).

Appendix 5. Balkan Endemic Species of Lumbricidae (Asst. Prof. Gariela Milojkova)

Allolobophora antiqua (Cern., 1938)       Belasitsa Mountain: Petrich.       Slavyanka Mountain Allolobophora dobrogeana (Pop, 1938)       Gurkovo, Polyana, Makedonka, Smolnitsa. Allolobophora mechadiensis       Rosa, 1895 Bulgarin, Harmanli.

Allolobophora rebeli Rosa, 1897       Stara Planina Mountains (Botev vruh), Sliven,       Pazardzhik, Slavyanka Mountain, Ograzhden       Mountain, Vitosha Mountain. Allolobophora robusta Rosa, 1895       Veliko Turnovo. Octodrilus exacystis (Rosa, 1896)       Dubnitsa, Gotse Delchev.

Appendix 6. Rare Species of Lumbricidae (Asst. Prof. Gabriela Milojkova)

Allolobophora carpatica Cogn., 1927       Haskovo: Dervish mogila. Allolobophora dubiosa (Orl., 1881)       Varna: Beloslav lake, Ezerovo,       Kamchiya, Veleka. Allolobophora georgii Mich., 1890       Petrich, Belasitsa Mountain Allolobophora leoni Mich., 1891       Silistra.

Dendrobaena hortensis (Mich., 1890)       Stara Zagora. Dendrobaena hrabei (Cern., 1934)       Rila Mountains, Rhodope Mountains Octodrilus gradinescui (Pop, 1938)       Varna: v. Beloslav. Octodrilus racovitzai (Pop, 1938)       Haskovo.

Appendix 7. Bulgarian Endemic Species of Mollusca (Dr. Zdravko Hubenov)

GASTROPODA: PROSOBRANCHIA MESOGASTROPODA Hydrobiidae Belgrandiella bureschi Angelov, 1976       Trun: Bankya. Belgrandiella hessei Wagner, 1927       Stara Planina Mountains: "Lakatnik" cave. Belgrandiella pussilla Angelov, 1959       Stara Planina Mountains: "Lakatnik" cave. Cavernista zaschevi (Angelov, 1959)       Stara Planina Mountains: Iskrets, Tserovo. Hauffenia lucidulus Angelov, 1967       Dobroudzha: Rousalka. Iglica acicularis Angelov, 1959       Stara Planina Mountains: Iskrets. Insignia macrostoma Angelov, 1972       Stara Planina Mountains: Teteven. Paladilhiopsis bureschi Wagner, 1927       Stara Planina Mountains: "Lakatnik" cave. Pontobelgrandiella angelovi (Pinter, 1968)       Stara Planina Mountains: Shipka. Pontobelgrandiella bulgarica (Angelov, 1972)       Stara Planina Mountains: Teteven. Pontobelgrandiella nitida (Angelov, 1972)       Stara Planina Mountains: Teteven. GASTROPODA: PULMONATA STYLOMMATOPHORA Clausiliidae Bulgarica bajula (Schmidt, 1868)       Rhodope Mountains: Bachkovo. Laciniaria macilenta (Rossmassler, 1842)       Rhodope Mountains: Chepelarska       valley, Asenovgrad, Narechen. Macedonica brabeneci Nordsieck, 1974       Rhodope Mountains: Smolyan. Macedonica frauenfeldi riedeli Urbanski, 1977       Trun: Erma River. Macedonica macedonica pirinensis Jaekel, 1954       Pirin Mountains. Slavyanka Mountain: Gotsev vruh. Macedonica marginata frivaldskyana (Rossmassler, 1839)       Pirin Mountains: Bunderitsa. Macedonica marthae Sajo, 1968       Pirin Mountains: Vichren. Macedonica zilchi Urbanski, 1971       Rhodope Mountains: Trigrad. Mentissela rebeli (Sturany, 1897)       Stara Planina Mountains: Sliven. Eastern       Dounavska ravnina: Kaspichan, Provadiya.       Black Sea coast: Beloslav, Varna, Bourgas,       Veleka River, Silistar River, Rezovska River.       Strandzha Mountain. Pseudalinda bajula (Schmidt, 1868)       Rhodope Mountains. Stara Planina Mountains. Pseudalinda mursalicae Urbanski, 1969       Rhodope Mountains: Moursalitsa,       Golyam Perelik, Chepelare. Pseudalinda rhodoparum Urbanski, 1960       Rhodope Mountains: Bachkovski       manastir, Chepelarska River. Pseudalinda serbica (Moellendorff, 1873)       Osogovo Mountain. Vestina ranojevici ranojevici (Pavlovic, 1912)       Rhodope Mountains: Beglika. Pirin       Mountains: Bunderishka valley, Bansko. Eninae Zebrina kindermanni kindermanni (Pfeiffer, 1847)       South Bleak Sea coast: Bourgas, Ajtos. Helicidae Helicigona buresi (Wagner, 1927)       Stara Planina Mountains: Lakatnik. Helicigona pelia (Hesse, 1912)       Stara Planina Mountains; Vitosha       Mountain; Rila Mountains. Helicigona polinskii pirinensis (Wagner, 1927)       Pirin Mountains: Bayuvi doupki,       Kamenitsa, Sinanitsa. Helicigona polinskii polinskii (Wagner, 1927)       Pirin Mountains: Vichren, Bunderitsa,       Kamenitsa, Sinanitsa. Helicigona sztolcmani (Wagner, 1927)       Pirin Mountains: Bayuvi doupki. Orculidae Orcula zilchi Urbanski, 1960       South Bleak Sea coast, Strandzha Mountain. Pagodulina subdola brabeneci Hudec & Vasatko, 1971       Rhodope Mountains: Smolyan, Mostovo,       Bachkovo, Narechen; Trakiyska       nizina: Plovdiv. Pupillididae Argna macrodonta macrodonta (Hesse, 1916)       Stara Planina Mountains: Gara Lakatnik;       Trakiyska nizina: Plovdiv

Bulgarica fraudigera (Rossmassler, 1839)       VRhodope Mountains: Chepelarska River,       Bachkovo, Yugovo, Mostovo. Stara Planina       Mountains: Lakatnik. Bulgarica hiltrudae Nordsieck, 1974       Stara Planina Mountains: Cherepishki manastir. Bulgarica pagana bulgarica (Kuster, 1861)       Stara Planina Mountains: Lakatnik, Turnovo. Bulgarica urbanski Nordsieck, 1974       Stara Planina Mountains: Sliven. Bulgarica varnensis (Pfeiffer, 1848)       Stara Planina Mountains: Vratsa, Stoletov,       Troyan, Lakatnik, Rouse. Bleak Sea coast:       Aladzha, Sozopol, Arkoutino. Eastern Rhodope       Mountains. Strandzha Mountain: Malko Turnovo. Bulgarica vratzatica Likharev, 1972       Stara Planina Mountains: Vrattsata, Ledenika. Carinigera damjanovi Likharev, 1972       Gotsedelchevska kotlovina: Koprivlen. Euxina persica paulhessei (Lindholm, 1925)       South Bleak Sea coast: Resovska River,       Silistar River, Veleka River, Arkoutino, Agalina,       Kiten, Primorsko. Strandzha Mountain:       Malko Turnovo, Padaloto. Idyla castalia boschi Nordsieck, 1973       Pirin Mountains: Bansko, Bunderitsa, Vihren. Idyla castalia pirostoma (Boettger, 1880)       Pirin Mountains: Bunderishki choukar. Idyla pinteri Nordsieck, 1973       Rhodope Mountains: Dospat, Skalnite mostove. Helicigona trizona balcanica (Kobelt, 1876)       Stara Planina Mountains: Lakatnik, Troyanski       manastir, Dryanovski manastir. Vitosha       Mountain. Rhodope Mountains: Kostenets,       Velingrad. Predbalkan: Turnovo, Lovech.       Dobroudzha. Helicigona trizona haberhaueri (Sturany, 1897)       Rhodope Mountains. Pirin Mountains:       Bunderitsa. Slavyanka Mountain. Rila       Mountains: Rilski manastir. Helix locurum onixiomicra Bourguignat, 1860       South Bleak Sea coast: Slunchev bryag,       Bourgas, Sozopol, Ropotamo, Michourin,       Ahtopol. Hygromiidae Helicella obvia razlogi Pinter, 1969       Rhodope Mountains: Velingrad; Pazardzhik. Helicella spiruloides Wagner, 1916       Black Sea coast: Balchik, Kavarna, Varna,       Pobiti Kamuni, Dourankoulak, Michourin,       Arkoutino. Monacha carascaloides (Bourguignat, 1855)       Black Sea coast, Trakiyska nizina, Predbalkan. Monacha pilosa Pinter, 1969       Black Sea coast: Ropotamo River, Michourin,       Lozenets. Limacidae Deroceras agreste transcaucasicum Hudec & Vasatko, 1971       Pirin Mountains: Vihren. Deroceras bulgaricum Grossu, 1969       Trakiyska nizina: Svilengrad. Deroceras bureschi (Wagner, 1934)       Western Stara Planina Mountains, Vitosha Mountain,       Rila Mountains, Plana Mountain, Pirin Mountains       (Gotse Delchev), Rhodope Mountains. Lehmannia brunneri (Wagner, 1931)       Stara Planina Mountains, Vitosha Mountain, Rila       Mountains, Pirin Mountains, Osogovo Mountain;       Rhodope Mountains. Milacidae Milax parvulus Wiktor, 1968       Stara Planina Mountains. Rhodope Mountains:       Kurdzhali. Zemen. Vitosha Mountain. Strandzha       Mountain: Zvezdets. Black Sea coast: Silistar       River. Trun. Milax verrucosus Wiktor, 1969       Stara Planina Mountains: Gabrovo, Teteven, Cherni       Osum, Shipka, Iskar River, Dubnika. Tandonia pinteri (Wiktor, 1975)       Rhodope Mountains: Choudni mostove, Smolyan, Devin. Tandonia piriniana Wiktor, 1983       Pirin Mountains: Gotse Delchev, Koprivlen, Melnik. Zonitidae Carpatica bielawskii Riedel, 1963       South Black Sea coast: Sozopol - Rezovska       River. Strandzha Mountain: Malko Turnovo,       Gramatikovo. Lindbergia uminskii Riedel, 1960       Stara Planina Mountains: Troyan, Teteven, Vezhen. Vitrea neglecta Damjanov & Pinter, 1969       Stara Planina Mountains: Vratsa, Sliven.       Predbalkan: Veliko Turnovo. Kyustendil.       Rhodope Mountains: Chepelarska River,       Devin, Smolyan, Velingrad.

Appendix 8. Balkan Endemic Species of Mollusca (Dr. Zdravko Hubenov)

GASTROPODA: PROSOBRANCHIA MESOGASTROPODA Hydrobiidae Pseudamnicola consociella (Frauenfeld, 1863)       Varna: Gebedzhensko ezero, Aladzha manastir.       Stara Planina Mountains: Bouchin prohod. Sadleriana virescens Kuster       Strandzha Mountain: Malko Turnovo. Stara       Planina Mountains: Bachkovski manastir. GASTROPODA: PULMONATA STYLOMMATOPHORA Clausiliidae Bulgarica fritillaria (Rossmassler, 1839)       Eastern Stara Planina Mountains. Trakiyska       nizina: Plovdiv, Maritsa. Sandansko-Petrichka       kotlovina: Petrich, Stroumeshnitsa River. Bulgarica thessalonica (Rossmassler, 1839)       Trakiyska nizina. Rhodope Mountains. Sredna       Gora Mountains: Bogdan. Strandzha Mountain.       Bleak Sea coast. Delima schuetti Brandt, 1962       Slavyanka Mountain. Macedonica frauenfeldi frauenfeldi (Rossmassler, 1856)       Stara Planina Mountains: Iskar River,       Vratsa; Dragoman. Macedonica macedonica macedonica (Rossmassler, 1839)       Pirin Mountains. Vestina petrovici (Pavlovic, 1912)       Stara Planina Mountains: Belogradchik. Vestina roschitzi nordsieckiana Urbanski, 1979       Stara Planina Mountains: Belogradchik. Eninae Chondrula macedonica macedonica Wagner, 1915       Strouma River downstream. Zebrina detrita inflata (Kobelt, 1877)       Slavyanka Mountain: Gotsev vruh.       Pirin Mountains: Bunderitsa. Rhodope: Dospat. Zebrina varnensis (Pfeiffer, 1847)       Bulgarian Bleak Sea coast: Shabla, Rousalka,       Kaliakra, Balchik, Bourgas, Ahtopol. Limacidae Deroceras sturanyi (Simroth, 1894)       Sofiysko pole: Kostinbrod. Mihaylovgrad:       Levcha, Mirovtsi. Plovdiv. Harmanli.       Kyustendil. Haskovo. Trun. Black Sea       coast: Nesebr, Rezovo. Deroceras thersites (Simroth, 1886)       Rhodope Mountains: Momchilgrad. Strandzha       Mountain: Malko Turnovo - Michourin).       Sakhar hilly region. Bleak Sea coast: Zlatni       pyasutsi, Rezovo. Limax carbonarius Boettger, 1885       Rila Mountains: Rilski manastir. Pirin Mountains:       Bunderitsa valley, Melnik. Limax conemenosi Boettger, 1882       Vitosha Mountain: Bosnek; Kyustendil. Pirin       Mountains: Blagoevgrad, Doupnitsa. Stara       Planina Mountains: Sinite kamuni,       Kazanluk, Gabare. Limax macedonicus Hesse, 1928       Rila Mountains: Skakavitsa. Rhodope Mountains:       Trigrad, Haskovo, Momchilgrad. Sakhar hilly       region: Topolovgrad. Sredna Gora: Starozagorski       bani. Bleak Sea coast: Varna, Ropotamo River. Milacidae Tandonia kusceri (Wagner, 1931)       All of Bulgaria

Tandonia serbica (Wagner, 1931)       Trun. Stara Planina Mountains: Lakatnik,       Vratsa, Troyanski manastir, Sliven. Pirin       Mountains. Rhodope Mountains: Bachkovski       manastir, Narechen, Smolyan, Zlatograd,       Madan. Rila Mountains: Skakavitsa, Rilski       manastir. Vitosha Mountain. Malashevska       Mountain. Slavyanka Mountain. Petrich. Ferussaciidae Cecilioides aciculoides (Jan, 1832)       Stara Planina Mountains. Rhodope Mountains.       Western Bulgaria. Strouma and Mesta River       valleys. Maritsa River. Bleak Sea coast: Veleka River.       Dobroudzha. Predbalka: Veliko Turnovo Cecilioides spelaeus (Wagner, 1914)       Plovdiv. Helicidae Helicigona trizona rumelica (Rossmassler, 1838)       Rhodope Mountains: Bachkovo, Dospat, Trigrad,       Shiroka luka, Smolyan, Asenovgrad, Bachkovski       manastir, Haskovo. Slavyanka Mountain. Pirin       Mountains: Melnik. Plovdiv. Dobroudzha. Helicodontidae Lindholmiola corcynensis corcynensis (Deshayes, 1839)       All of Bulgaria. Lindholmiola corcynensis pirinensis Jaeckel, 1954       Rila Mountains. Rhodope Mountains: Devin.       Pirin Mountains: Sinanitsa. Hygromiidae Helicella macedonica Hesse, 1928       Pirin Mountains: Bunderitsa, Predel, Vihren.       Slavyanka Mountain: Gotsev vruh. Helicella rhabdotoides (Wagner, 1927)       Trun. Kyustendil. Stara Planina Mountains:       Etropole, Gara Lakatnik. Predbalkan: Lovech,       Veliko Turnovo. Varna. Trichia erjaveci (Brusina, 1870)       Trun. Stara Planina Mountains:       Troyanski manastir. Sakhar hilly region.       Svilengrad. Rhodope Mountains: Batak.       Black Sea coast: Ropotamo River,       Slunchev bryag. Pupillididae Argna macrodonta rumelica (Hesse, 1916)       Dunavska ravnina: Lom. Bulgarian Bleak       Sea coast. Strandzha Mountain. Stara       Planina Mountains. Trakiyska nizina: Plovdiv. Zonitidae Daudebardia wiktori Riedel, 1967       Western Stara Planina Mountains: Nishava       River. Rhodope Mountains: Asenovgrad,       Bachkovo, Erkyupriya, Mostovo, Smolyan,       Zlatograd. Oxychilus deilus malinowskii (Pfeiffer, 1865)       Eastern Rhodope Mountains, Eastern Stara       Planina Mountains, Dobroudzha, Strandzha       Mountain. Paraegopis frivaldskyanus (Rossmassler, 1848)       Stara Planina Mountains: Karlovo. Predbalkan:       Veliko Turnovo. Rhodope Mountains:       Chepelarska River. Kurdzhali. Vitrea bulgarica Damjanov & Pinter, 1969       Osogovo Mountain, Stara Planina       Mountains, Rhodope Mountains, Rila       Mountains, Pirin Mountains, Slavyanka       Mountain. Vitrea sturanyi (Wagner, 1907)       Rhodope Mountains: Velingrad, Trigrad.

Appendix 9. Caspian Relict Species of Mollusca (Dr. Zdravko Hubenov)

BIVALVIA EULAMELLIBRANCHIATA Cardiidae Hypanis colorata (Eichwald, 1829)       Black Sea (subfossil): Kaliakra, Varnenski zaliv. Hypanis plicata relicta (Milachevitch, 1916)       Black Sea (subfossil): Kaliakra. Dreissenidae Dreissena distincta (Andrusov, 1897)       Black Sea (subfossil). Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771)       Danube River. Varnensko, Beloslavsko,       Mandrensko, Bourgasko Lakes. Kamchia,       Veleka Rivers. MESOGASTROPODA Hydrobiidae Lithoglyphus naticoides (Pfeiffer, 1828)       Rivers: Danube, Yantra, Rositsa,       Rousenski Lom, Vit.

Melaniidae Clessiniola variabilis Eichwald, 1841       Black Sea (subfossil); Danube River?       Fagotia acicularis (Ferussac, 1823) Rivers:       Danube (Vidin - Silistra), Yantra, Rositsa,       Rousenski Lom, Vit, Ogosta, Zlatna Panega. Micromelania lincta Milachewitch, 1908       Lakes: Varnensko, Gebedzhensko,       Mandrensko. Danube River? GASTROPODA: PROSOBRANCHIA ARCHAEOGASTROPODA Neritidae Theodoxus danubialis (Pfeiffer, 1828)       Rivers: Danube, Iskar, Yantra, Ogosta, Rositsa,       Rousenski, Lom, Vit, Zlatna Panega. Theodoxus pallasi Lindholm, 1924       Black Sea (subfossil). Theodoxus pilidei (Milachevitch, 1912)       Black Sea (subfossil).

Appendix 10. Tertiary Relict Species of Mollusca (Dr. Zdravko Hubenov)

GASTROPODA: PULMONATA BASOMMATOPHORA Ellobiidae Ovatella myosotis (Draparnaud, 1801)       Black Sea coast. Pupillidae Lauria anglicata (Wood, 1828)       Southern Black Sea coast:       Veleka and Silistar Rivers. Lauria cylindracea (Da Costa, 1778)       Southern Black Sea coast.       Strandzha Mountain: Malko Turnovo. STYLOMMATOPHORA Oleacinidae Poiretia algira (Bruguiere, 1792)       Sandansko-Petrichka and       Mestenska kotlovini. Orculidae Orcula bulgarica Hesse, 1915       Dobroudzha. Vitosha Mountain. Subulinidae Rumina decollata (Linnaeus, 1758)       Varna. GASTROPODA: PROSOBRANCHIA MESOGASTROPODA Pomatiasidae Pomatias elegans (Muller, 1774)       Stara Planina Mountains; Sredna Gora       Mountains; Strouma and Mesta valley;       Rhodope Mountains; Trakiyska nizina. Pomatias rivulare (Muller, 1774)       Dounavska ravnina; Stara Planina       Mountains; Trakiya; Rhodope       Mountains; Black Sea coast; Sredna Gora Mountains. Zonitidae Oxychilus deilus rumelicus (Hesse, 1913)       Western Rhodope Mountains; Eastern       Stara Planina Mountains; Dobroudzha;       Strandzha Mountain; Black Sea coast Oxychilus hydatinus (Rossmassler, 1838)       Dobroudzha; Varna; Veloko Turnovo;       Sredna Gora Mountains; Vitosha Mountain;       Harmanli; Rhodope Mountians: Kurdzhali;       Rila Mountains: Rilski manastir; Black       Sea coast

GASTROPODA: PULMONATA STYLOMMATOPHORA Clausiliidae Euxina circumdata (Preiffer, 1848)       Southern Bleak Sea coast: Sozopol -       Rezovska River; Strandzha Mountain:       Padaloto, Malko Turnovo, Gramatikovo. Galeata schwerzenbachi (Charpantier, 1852)       Bleak Sea coast: Silistar River; Veleka       River; Strandzha Mountain: Malko       Turnovo, Zvezdets. Megaleuxina circumdata (Wagner, 1912)       Varna; river Kamchiya; river ropotamo;       river Rezovska; ? Plovdiv Serrulina serrulata (Pfeiffer, 1847)       Bleak Sea coast: river Kamchiya -       river Resovska Helicidae Helix figulina Rossmassler, 1839       Trakiyska nizina: Kirilovo, Starozagorski       bani, Plovdiv, Asenovgradsko, Chirpan,       Haskovo, Harmanli; Pirin Mountains:       Melnik; Rhodope Mountains: Kurdzhali;       Stara Planina Mountains: Sliven Helix pomacella Mousson, 1854       Black Sea coast: Aytos, Bourgas, Sozopol,       river Ropotamo, Arkoutino, Agalina,       Michourin; Strandzha Mountain:       Malko Turnovo Helix vulgaris Rossmassler, 1839       Dobroudzha; Slivnitsa; Plovdiv; Pazardzhik;       Asenovgrad; Harmanli; Gotse Delchev;       Sandanski Limacidae Krynickillus urbanskii (Wiktor, 1971)       Stara Planina Mountains: Karlovo - Troyan;       Black Sea coast: Obzor, river Ropotamo;       Strandzha Mountain Limax flavulus Linnaeus, 1758       Black Sea coast; Sofia; Mihaylovgrad;       Harmanli; Sliven; Sestrimo Zonitidae Oxychilus moussoni (Kobelt, 1878)       Stara Planina Mountains: Kotel, Sliven;       Strandzha Mountain Oxychilus urbanski Riedel, 1963       Stara Planina Mountains: Kotel; Sakhar       hilly region; South Black Sea coast Vitrea pygmaea (Boettger, 1880)       Strandzha Mountain; Sakhar hilly region;       Rhodope Mountains: Haskovo; Stara       Planina Mountains; Black Sea coast

Appendix 11. Rare Species of Mollusca (Dr. Zdravko Hubenov)

BIVALVIA EULAMELLIBRANCHIATA Sphaeriidae Pisidium bulgaricum Odhner, 1929 ?       Vitosha Mountain Pisidium milium Held, 1836       Sofia: Boyansko blato, Sofiysko pole Pisidium moitessierianum (Paladilhe, 1866)       Danube: Archar Pisidium nitidum Jenyns, 1832       Sofia: Opitsvet Pisidium obtusale (Pfeiffer, 1821)       Sofiysko pole; Samokov: Mala cherkva Pisidium subtruncatum (Malm, 1855)       Samokovsko: Maritsa River; Sofia: Bezden Pisidium supinum Schmidt, 1850       Maslen nos; ? Danube: Rouse Thraciidae Thracia papyracea (Poli, 1791)       Black Sea: Varnenski zaliv Unionidae Pseudanodonta complanata (Rossmaessler, 1835)       Danube: Lom, Svishtov, Rouse; Gebedzhensko       blato; Srebarna FILIBRANCHIATA Anomiidae Anomia ephippium Linnaeus, 1758       Black Sea: Varnenski zaliv Pectinidae Pecten jacobaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) ?       Black Sea: Varnenski zaliv GASTROPODA: OPISTOBRANCHIA Limapontiidae Limapontia capicata (Muller, 1773)       Black Sea: Varna Pseudovermidae Pseudovermis paradoxus Perejaslawtzeva, 1890       Black Sea: Varna, Nesebur Viviparidae Viviparus mamillatus Kuster, 1852       Danube GASTROPODA: PULMONATA BASOMMATOPHORA Ancylidae Ferrissia wautieri (Mirolli, 1960)       Sofia: Kazichane; Varna: Beloslavsko       ezero; South Black Sea coast: Arkoutino Lymnaeidae Stagnicola corvus (Gmelin, 1791)       Plovdiv; Yambol: marsh Stralszhansko,       Ormana; Varna Physidae Aplexa hypnorum (Linnaeus, 1758)       Stara Planina Mountains: Kotlenski sprongs Physa fontinalis (Linnaeus, 1758)       Plovdiv: Novoseltsi, Kadievo; Sofia:       Kazichane; Danube: rare only in the marches Planorbidae Anisus spirorbis (Linnaeus, 1758)       Sofia: Boyansko blato; Danube: Lom Anisus vortex (Linnaeus, 1758)       Plovdiv; Varna: Devnenski izvori; Danube:       Krivina Anisus vorticulus (Troschel, 1834)       Plovdiv: Novoseltsi Bathyomphalus contortus (Linnaeus, 1758)       Plovdiv; Sofia: Kazichane Gyraulus albus (Muller, 1774)       Plovdiv; Danube: Svishtov, Gyurgevo -       Oltenitsa Gyraulus laevis (Adler, 1838)       Danube: Rouse Hippeutis complanatus (Linnaeus, 1758)       Plovdiv: Novoseltsi, Kadievo       Planorbis carinatus Muller, 1774 Plovdiv:       river Maritsa; Danube STYLOMMATOPHORA Clausiliidae Laciniaria vetusta vetusta (Bielz, 1861)       Vitosha Mountain; Belogradchik Enidae Chondrus tournefortianus (Ferussac, 1821)       Varna Chondrus zebra tantalus (Pfeiffer, 1868)       Rhodope Mountains: Asenovgrad, Devin,       Persenk Jaminia squalina squalina (Rossmassler, 1848)       Black Sea coast: Byala, Nesebur

GASTROPODA: PROSOBRANCHIA ARCHAEOGASTROPODA Neritidae Theodoxus fluviatilis (Linnaeus, 1758)       Varna: Devnenski izvori; Dunabe: Svishtov MESOGASTROPODA Aciculidae Acicula polita (Hartmann, 1840)       South Black Sea coast: river Silistar,       Varvara, Kiten Assimineidae Paludinella eliae rufostrigata (Hesse, 1916)       Varna: Varnensko ezero Hydrobiidae Bythinella austriaca (Frauenfeld, 1857)       Rila Mountains: Borovets; Rhodope       Mountains: Pesgtera, Smolyan; Sredna       Gora Mountains: Koprivshtitsa Melaniidae Fagotia esperi (Ferussac, 1823)       Danube: Vidin - Rouse; Yantra: Radanovo;       Rousenski Lom: Besarbovo; Vit: Yasen;       Zlatna Panega: Loukovit Nassariidae Cyclonassa westerlundi (Brusina, 1900)       Black Sea: Varna Tornidae Tornus subcarinatus (Montagu, 1803)       Black Sea: Sveta Anastasiya Valvatidae Valvata naticina Menke, 1845       Danube: Svishtov, Rouse Valvata pulchella Studer, 1820       Danube: Kozlodouy; Rhodope Mountains:       Batashko blato Helicodontidae Soosia diodonata (Ferussac, 1821)       Vitosha Mountain: Boyanski vodopad Hydromiidae Helicella dejecta (Jan, 1832)       Dobroudzha; river Strouma Helicella derbentina (Krynicki, 1836)       Varna - Dobroudzha Trichia hispida (Linnaeus, 1758)       Rhodope Mountains; Trun Pupillidae Lauria anglica (Wood, 1828)       South Bleak Sea coast: river Veleka,       Silistar Lauria cylindracea (Da Costa, 1778)       South Bleak Sea coast; Malko Turnovo Pupilla triplicata (Studer, 1820)       Eastern Stara Planina Mountains Succineidae Oxyloma elegans (Risso, 1826)       Harmanli; river Kamchiya;       river Ropotamo Succinea putris (Linnaeus, 1758)       Varnensko ezero Valloniidae Spelaeodiscus triatria triatria (Rossmassler, 1839)       Western Stara Planina Mountains:       Ledenika, Godech Vertiginidae Columella edentula (Draparnaud, 1805)       Varna: Zlatni pyasutsi; Rila Mountains:       Rilski manastir Truncatellina costulata (Nilsson, 1822)       Strandzha Mountain: Malko Turnovo,       Elhovo Truncatellina strobeli (Gredler, 1853)       North Rhodope Vertigo alpestris (Adler, 1830)       Vitosha Mountain; Rhodope Mountains:       Devin, Trigrad; Rila Mountains; Stara       Planina Mountains: Botev, Ledenica Vertigo substriata (Jeffreys, 1830)       Varna: Zlatni pyasutsi; Plovdiv Vitrinidae Semilimacella reitteri (Boettger, 1880)       Rhodope Mountains; Erkyupriya Zonitidae Vitrea transsylvanica (Clessin, 1877)       Stara Planina Mountains: Teteven;       Predbalkan: Veliko Turnovo

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