ENDEMIC FAUNA OF AQUATIC GASTROPODS OF REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA – CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIST OF STRICTLY PROTECTED WILD SPECIES

Abstract

Endemic taxa are characterized by a small range (distribution area). They are often facing extinction due to the negative impact of anthropogenic factor, and therefore there is a strong need for their protection. According to the current legislatives in Republic of Srpska, endemism (local endemism and stenoendemism) may be a valid reason for placing a species into the group of strictly protected wild species. The goal of this paper was to form a checklist of aquatic gastropods endemic for the area of Republic of Srpska, in order to provide a scientific basis for expanding the existing list of strictly protected wild species. The presented faunistic list of aquatic species endemic for the area of Republic of Srpska was formed after an overview of available malacological literature. According to the existing knowledge, this list should include 18 stenoendemic species: Bosnidilhia vreloana, Bythiospeum petroedei, B. plivense, Iglica bosnica, Paladilhiopsis arion, P. maroskoi, Belgrandiella balkanaensis, B. kurtovici, Islamia dmitroviciana, I. steffeki, Plagigeyeria lewarnei, P. reischuetzorum, Radomaniola nachtigallae, Travunijana gloeri, T. vruljakensis, Lithoglyphus pyramidatus, Marstoniopsis vrbasi and Bythinella tabakovaensis. There are three determined centers of endemism. The most of the listed species inhabit underground waters. Only one species (Marstoniopsis vrbasi) has a defined threat status (CR - Critically endangered). Two species from this list (Islamia dmitroviciana and Bosnidilhia vreloana) already bear the status of a strictly protected wild species in Republic of Srpska, while the remaining 16 species also fulfill the necessary criteria for obtaining the same status. The collected data and discussion indicate the need to complement the existing Regulation on strictly protected and protected wild species by amending the list of strictly protected wild species.