Spanish Scientists Discover New Species of Cave Beetle Living in Extreme Depths

Way down in the world's deepest known cave, a team of Spanish researchers has discovered a previously unknown species of cave beetle, a discovery that has scientists excited at what else might also live at such extreme depths.

The Duvalius Abyssimus beetle was found in Russia's Krubera cave, which scientists have confirmed is at least 7,000 feet deep. 

According to Tech Times, the journey to the bottom is no easy feat, requiring scientists to wear diving equipment in order to pass through sections of the cave that are underwater. 

The lead researchers, Ana Sofia Reboleirra and Vicente M. Ortuño, described their amazing find in the journal Xootoaxa. 

"We only have two specimens, a male and a femaile," states Ortuño. "Although they were captured in the world's deepest cave, they were not found at the deepest point."

Cave beetles are nothing new in this sort of environment. In fact, cave beetles "were historically the first species identified by science as being adapted to a subterranean or hypogean environment," reports Tech Times. 

This new species isn't completely adapted for absolute cave living, according to researchers. Ortuño says that because the beetles still have eyes, they are only "moderately adapted to life underground," as contrasted with more "highly specialized cave species." 

The Krubera cave's entrance is at an intimidating 7,350 feet above sea level and nearly 50 miles from the Black Sea coast.

On their way to the bottom, researchers must deal with various vertical portions of the cave for the first 4,500 feet before the cave then sections in to several branches which have so far been explored to approximately 7,000 feet. 

The difficult descent into Krubera offers scientists a chance to make new discoveries, like the Duvalius abyssimus, in order to increase their knowledge of what sort of life can thrive in such a seemingly inhospitable environment. 

"The discovery of the new beetle provides important data on species that co-exist in these almost unknown ecosystems, even more so when they are found in a geographical area that is very difficult to access, such is the case with this cave," explained Ortuño.