Zoogeographical analysis and specificity of subterranean fauna in the territory of the former USSR [Russian]

摘要

The problems of geographical distribution and formation of the subterranean fauna in the territory of the former USSR are discussed. The subterranean fauna consists of not less than 595 animal species and forms. Among them, 195 are considered to be troglobionts. Zoogeographic characteristics of speleobionts in the northern (Central Russia, the Urals, Siberia) and southern (the Crimea, the Caucasus, Transcarpathian region, the Dnestr River Basin, Central Asia, and the southern Far East) latitudinal zones are given. Within these zones, speleobionts differ in origin and distribution. On the whole, the speleofauna of southern regions is richer and more diverse than that in southern regions. The reasons for these differences are history of developing the subterranean fauna and alterations in climatic conditions in the late Pliocene. Speleofaunas of different zones are compared with those in much-studied karst-speleological regions of Europe.