Distribution range

In 1831, Luka Čeč, the light handler, found an unusual beetle on the cave speleothem in Postojnska jama cave. He was curious enough to collect it and bring it to the surface. He gave it to the naturalist Hochenwart, who forwarded it to an amateur coleopterologist Ferdinand Schmidt. It was he who recognised how special it was and scientifically described it a year later. Besides the scientific name in Latin he also gave the beetle a Slovenian and a German name. The original specimen was damaged, so Schmidt offered a high reward to the person who would find another undamaged specimen. In the end, many years later, he found it himself.

Slenderneck beetle is currently the only known species within the genus with six subspecies described. It is possible that in the future molecular studies will show that these forms are actually different species.

The characteristic shape of the beetle's body results from an elongated first segment of the prosoma, and the rounded posterior part of the body (abdomen). The posterior part of the body is flattened, it is only the elitrae that are rounded and raised above it. This “false” inflation of the back part of the body, also called pseudophysiogastry is not well understood. One of the possible explanations of its function would be that females use this space to carry eggs, while an alternative option would be that humidity is higher under raised elitrae and safeguards the beetle from desiccation.

Fungus round beetles (Leiodidae) represent about two thirds of all subterranean beetle species, followed by representatives of ground beetle family (Carabidae; Trechinae) and some species of short-winged beetles (Staphylinidae; Pselaphinae). While most fungus round beetles feed on different organic debris and rotting organic material, ground beetles are predatory and prey on other cave invertebrates.