Судлаачид Өмнөд Солонгосын агуйн системээс огт хардаггүй, гэрэлгүй орчинд амьдрахаар хувьссан цох хорхойн дөрвөн шинэ зүйлийг нээн илрүүлжээ.
Жонбүк үндэсний их сургуулийн судлаач Кюн-Хүүн Жон болон түүний багийнхан Тэбэк, Собук уулын нурууны агуйнуудад судалгаа хийх явцдаа Spelaeochthonius төрөлд хамаарах эдгээр амьтдыг олсон байна. Өмнө нь тус улсад Spelaeochthonius dentifier хэмээх ганцхан зүйл байдаг гэж үздэг байсан бол генетикийн болон морфологийн шинжилгээгээр S. dugigulensis, S. geumgulensis, S. magwihalmigulensis, S. yamigulensis гэх дөрвөн тусдаа зүйл байгааг баталжээ.
“Лууны цох” хэмээн нэрлэгддэг эдгээр амьтан нь биетэйгээ харьцуулахад том эрүүтэй, сүүлгүй, хатгуургүй онцлогтой. Бүтэн харанхуй, агуйн нөхцөлд амьдардаг тул тэдний биеийн өнгө алдагдаж, харааны эрхтэн нь бүрэн буюу хэсэгчлэн хөгжөөгүй “трогломорфизм” буюу агуйн амьдралд дасан зохицсон шинжүүд илэрчээ. Эдгээр зүйл нь тус бүрдээ зөвхөн нэг агуй эсвэл карстын системд амьдардаг нь тэдний амьдрах орчин хэр зэрэг тусгаарлагдмал болохыг харуулж байна.
Энэхүү нээлт нь Өмнөд Солонгосын агуйн экосистемийн олон янз байдлыг дахин үнэлэх шаардлагатайг харуулж байна. Судлаачдын үзэж буйгаар эдгээр жижиг амьтад нь олон мянган жилийн өмнөх хувьслын үйл явцыг тайлбарлах ач холбогдолтой бөгөөд агуйн эмзэг экосистемийг хамгаалах зайлшгүй шаардлагатайг сануулж байгаа юм.
Дэлгэрэнгүйг эх сурвалжаас харах
↓Эх сурвалжийг нээх ↓
Four new species of blind pseudoscorpions have been discovered in South Korean caves, revealing a greater diversity of underground arachnids than scientists previously recognized. The newly identified animals belong to the genus Spelaeochthonius and have evolved to survive in complete darkness.
The discoveries were made in cave systems across the Taebaek and Sobaek mountain ranges, where researchers found highly specialized species adapted to life underground. South Korea is estimated to contain more than 1,000 caves, but a large number have never been scientifically explored. Until recently, research on cave-dwelling pseudoscorpions in the country was limited, leaving much of their diversity undocumented.
The lack of specialists studying these small arachnids contributed to the belief that only one species, Spelaeochthonius dentifier, was present in South Korea. Study author Kyung-Hoon Jeong from Jeonbuk National University explained that the new research produced very different results, with each species showing clear morphological and genetic differences.
New Cave Species Discovered in South Korea
The research team identified four previously unknown species: Spelaeochthonius dugigulensis, S. geumgulensis, S. magwihalmigulensis, and S. yamigulensis. Each species was found in only one cave or karst system, showing how isolated these underground habitats can be.
During their surveys, researchers discovered that almost every underground chamber examined contained blind pseudoscorpions that had not been described by science before. The differences between the species were confirmed through both physical observations and genetic analysis.
The team found that the newly identified pseudoscorpions also provide information about connections between Korean and Japanese cave species. Kyung-Hoon Jeong told IFLScience that these small animals could help researchers examine evolutionary events that occurred more than a thousand years ago.
The findings challenge previous assumptions about the distribution of Spelaeochthonius in Korea. Rather than representing a single species spread across the country, the populations appear to include several distinct evolutionary lineages.
Cave Arachnids Adapt to a World Without Light
Pseudoscorpions are tiny arachnids that resemble miniature scorpions, although they do not have the tail and stinger associated with true scorpions. Some species live in ordinary environments, while others have become completely specialized for underground habitats.
The genus Spelaeochthonius is known as dragon pseudoscorpions because of its unusually large jaws, which appear oversized compared with the rest of its body. These structures give the animals a distinctive appearance and inspired their common name.
Living permanently underground has shaped these species through a process called troglomorphism. Cave-adapted organisms often develop traits such as loss of pigmentation, reduced eyesight, or complete blindness.
The study authors described Spelaeochthonius species as “altogether blind, pale, and strongly troglobitic.” Their physical characteristics reflect a life spent entirely in the subterranean chamber environments, where sunlight is absent and conditions differ significantly from surface habitats.
The research published in PLOS One shows that these pseudoscorpions represent highly specialized examples of adaptation. Their existence also demonstrates how isolated environments can support unique forms of life that remain hidden from scientific observation.
New Species Reveal Why Caves Need Protection
The discovery of four new species has drawn attention to the need for better understanding and protection of South Korea’s cave ecosystems. Since each species has only been recorded from a single one or cave system, their habitats are particularly limited.
The researchers emphasized that conservation measures are needed to protect these underground environments and the organisms that depend on them. Cave ecosystems can contain highly specialized species that may not survive if their habitats are disturbed.
The study also suggests that many other cave-dwelling organisms may remain undiscovered. Because these animals are small and live in difficult-to-access environments, they require targeted surveys to be properly identified.
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