Proteus

The Olm (Proteus anguinus) is one of the most intriguing and mysterious amphibians in the world. It is found only in central and southeastern Europe, specifically in southern Slovenia, the basin of the Soil River near Trieste, Italy, southwestern Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The species is entirely subterranean, often living in very deep, nearly inaccessible caves in rugged karst topography. It apparently rarely moves very far within a small home range and has life history characteristics suggesting great longevity. Studying this species is a challenge, to say the least, one undertaken by a small group of extremely dedicated Croatian researchers who brave the cold, wet deep caverns of the Dinaric Karst.

Proteus is as much of a tribute to these cave-diving researchers as it is to the little-known olm. The book is composed of two parts and an appendix. The first part (53 pp.) has chapters focusing on the geologic and biotic characteristics of the Dinaric Karst. including information on karst topography and chemistry, speleological research in Croatia, cave-diving, cave biota in Croatia, and background literature on these topics. The second part's chapters (pp. 56-157) are all about P. anguinus – systematics, habitat, distribution, anatomy, physiology, reproduction, behaviour, and status and conservation; there is also a review of historical research on P. anguinus in Croatia. The literature on Proteus in part two is extensive (pp. 158-175). An appendix (pp.176-246) of current research projects follows, covering details of cave exploration, capture-mark-recapture studies, eDNA research, health examination, and the use of ultrasound in monitoring health and reproduction. Each chapter in the appendix has its own literature cited, and each has numerous colour illustrations.