| The entire family Stenasellidae Dudich, 1924 is composed of ancient stygobitic strains sharing a thalassoid and thermophilic origin. Its presence in Europe is dependent on two factors, the permanent existence of emerged continental shields during long geological periods (at least Tertiary + Quaternary), and its conservation in favourable areas during the different glacial crises. The iberian peninsula seems to have been the most suitable european region for the survival of this stygofauna. Some 119 samples from 116 different localities -scattered over 19 Spanish provinces- have been studied. All aquitanian and iberian stenasellids belong to the traditional genus Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897. We must notice that the stenasellids seem to be absent in the betic... |
