Results of Bulgarian-Albanian Speleological Researches in (1991-2005)

Alexey Zhalov Bulgarian Federation of Speleology, 75 V. Levski, Blv. 1042 Sofia, Bulgaria E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract The work presents summarized data, most of them unpublished, collected in the period (1991-2005), when 14 Bulgarian speleological expeditions were undertaken in Albania. The main explored territory covers an area of approx. 320 km2 and is located in Southern and Central part of the Albanian Alps. Some explorations have been carried out also in Mt. Dejes and Mt. Gollobordes and in South Albania in Mali I Thate Mt. and its surroundings. Two hundred and ten new caves were discovered and surveyed. The most important vertical caves are: BB-30 (- 610 m); Shpella Cilicokave (-505 m) and B33 (-205 m). 14 other caves are deeper than 100 m. The most important horizontal cave is Shpella e Majes te Arapit with total length 840 m. The largest cave chamber is in Shpella e Gjolave with an area of 8875 m 2 and volume 443 750 m3. The deepest and longest explored karst spring is Syni i Sheganit (160 m long, 52 m deep). The present article contains the main results of hydrogeological, lythological, speleo-climathological and bio- speleological studies.

Key words: Albania, Bulgarian expeditions, speleology, karst, caves.

1. Brief survey of the studies of karst and speleology in Albania The first scientific researches of surface karst phenomena are made by the Albanian geographers Kristo, 1973, Gruda, 1981, 1985, 1990, Hoti, 1990 etc. The first archaeological and paleontological studies of Albanian Alps cave (Shpella Gajtanit) date back to 1923. This cave was excavated by A. Fistany in 1961, and in 1982 there were discovered fossil remains of Hominoids. Numerous underground cavities have been distributed from the pioneers of Albanian speleology - Z. Ubani, M. Uruci, G. Uruci, K. Gjilbegu, A. Codra, H. Hasa etc. (Uruci, 1994). The beginning of biospeleological studies date back to 1914, when C. Lona from Triest, collects the first Coleoptera from the caves of Mt Cukali. Some other caves were explored biospeleologically by A. Bischoff, C. Lona and A. Winkler in the period 1922-1931 (Genest & Juberthie, 1994), and later - by the Czech zoologist Hanak (Hanak, 1964) and some Italian explorers. Recently, starting from 1989, many foreign speleological expeditions have been carried out in different areas of Albania. The Italian and San-Marinian cavers had explored mainly the Albanian Alps, but some areas in Central and South Albania (Polisi, Kurvelesh, Tomor,Karaborun, Mali me Gropa etc.) were studied also. Due to the detailed and systematic investigation in the Alps were discovered many new and attractive caves. Among them are: Shpella e Pusit, deep 370 m and long 5 km (the longest cave in Albania); Shpella Uomini umidi - deep 520 m (second deepest in Albania), and Shpella e Gjek Markut - 234 m deep. The Dutch cavers made 3 expeditions in Mali me Gropa Mt. and Daiti Mt. British expeditions were held in 1992, 1995 and 1996. Some karst regions and caves were object of exploration from Belgian, Croatian, French, Polish and Slovak cavers and speleologists. The obtained results are presented in over 150 publications, referred in Speleological Abstacts Bulletin (BBS) of U.I.S. and other bibliographical publications.

2. Geographical situation of Albania Republic of Albania is situated in the west part of the Balkan peninsula, on the eastern littoral coasts of Adriatic and Jonnian seas. Its North geographical latitude is 42o 39' (Vermosh), South geographical latitude 39o38' (Konispol) and Eastern geographical longitude 21o 40' (Vernik), West geographical longitude 19o 16' (Sazan). The total area of the country is 28748 km2. Geographical landscapes are significant with variety of forms. In Albania there are typical mediterranean landscapes on the west with visible continental influences on the east; passing landscapes in the central part, mountain landscapes and especially the Alpine ones, inside and in the north of the country. Albanian territory takes part in the wrinkled alpine region, connected with seismic movements and various geological construction - sediments (mainly limestone and dolomite), magmatic and metamorphic formations. The relief is mainly hilly-mountainous, with various surface forms. 23.4 % of the territory of the country lays on 200 m above the sea level. The altitudes 200-1000 m include 48.1% of the Albanian territory and over 1000 m - 28.5%. The two highest peaks of Albania is Korab (2751 m.a.s.l.) in the same Mt. and Ezerca (2692 m.a.s.l) in Albanian Alps. The west part of Albania has Mediterranean climate, while in the internal parts of the country it is continental. In the high mountain regions there is alpine climate. In general, the precipitate average is 1480 mm in a year. In total, the average annual quantity of the precipitation changes is from 600 mm to 2100 mm. 3.Albanian Alps - tipical Alpine karts

Сканирано от Хинко www.hinko.org The efforts of the Bulgarian-Albanian joint teams were pointed mainly at studying of High Mountain Karst of North Albanian Alps, so we would like to make brief presentation of this impressing mountain. The North Albanian Alps are a part of the Dinaric Mountains. It is the largest Mt in Albania, which covers an area of 2010 sq.km (TALANI, 1990). This vast area constitutes a typical karst region in Europe due to its geographical position, its climatic and geological conditions. The climate is humid with annual precipitation of 2000-2800 mm concentrated during the period October-May. The annual average temperature is 10.2 C. The Alps is built of folded and fissured Mesozoic and Paleolgene limestone with max. elevation of 2694 m. a.s.l. at peak Ezerca. Dislocations with dominant directions NE -SW and NW-SE divide the Mt. in a lot of single foult blocks. The mean coefficient of efficient infiltration is about 0.6 - 0.7 (Hyd.Geol.Map, 1981 ). The acqufer is drained by many karst springs mostly of which situated at the foot of mountain. The largest of them is Siri i Sheganit near Shkodras Lake with max. capacity 6.9 m 3/sec. in May and min. 0.300 m3/sec. In August (HOTI,1990).

Fig.1 Albanian Alps - general view

4. Setting of the main explored area in Albanian Alps The area is located in the SW part of Albanian Alps between 42° 16’ 30’’ and 42° 28’ 30’’ of latitude N and 12° 23’ 00’’ and 19° 46’ 45’’ of longitude E. It covers an area of approximately 320 sq.km with the following borders: from N-NW the canyon of Semi river to Tamarja vill. and then the riverside of Semi e Vuklit river to Nikci village; from S- SE the stone road from to Theth vill.; from E the axe from Theth to Nikc villages and from W the coast of the Shkodra’s Lake from Koplik to vill. From orographical point of view this region consists of some well grounded internal massifs jointed transversally and lengthwisly on different hypsometric levels. The main massifs looking from W to E are: Velechik (1726 m a.s.l), Pultines (1804), Dragomires(1904), Murigelles (2191), Bridashes (2125), Livadhit (2493), Radohines (2567) and Arapit (2217 m a.s.l) ( Fig 2)

5. Review of Bulgarian-Albanian and Bulgarian speleological explorations in Albania The first reconnaissance expedition was carried out in Albanian Alps in November 1991, when the first five caves were explored by A. Jalov, N. Gladnishki and N. Landjev, kindly supported by the members of Albanian Speleological Association - G. Uruci (President) and M. Quku and K. Gjylbegu. The most impressive cave is Shpella Gjolave, near to vill., Shkodra district. From 24th July to 21st August 1992, the Bulgarian Federation of Speleology and the Albanian Speleological Association held their second joint expedition in the west part of Albanian Alps, especially the massifs Velechik, Pultina, Maja Zez and Maja Arapit. Over 100 caves were discovered, of which 52 were explored. The most interesting exploration took place in Shegan karst spring, which was explored to a length of 60 m and depth of 28 m.

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Сканирано от Хинко www.hinko.org The third expedition was held between May 19 and June 11, 1993. The main exploration area was located in Bridash massif. Thirty eight, mainly vertical, caves were surveyed. The deepest was Shpella e Cilikokave, which was explored down to 390 m. The team went to Shpella ne Majes te Arapit to continue exploration from 1992. After diving of terminal sump (length 60 m), including some new discoveries, the total length of the cave reached 840 m. A second attempt was made to Shegan karst spring, where the explored length grew to 160 m with depth - 52 m. The sump continues, but its full exploration needs mixed gas for further diving. This expedition started the systematic geological and biospeleological studies of the area. In the end of expedition the team worked in the area of Merkuth vill., North West slope of Lura Mt., where were explored two caves. In September 1993, the 4th expedition ended with a depth record of - 505 m. This was the deepest point of Shpella Cilikokave, discovered and explored down to 390 m during the previous expedition in May, the same year. In June 1994, a group of eight cavers realized the fifth Bulgarian-Albanian expedition. Its object was the exploration of the Drugomiri massif. Twenty four vertical caves were explored. The deepest of them was BB-1 (Ice Cave) with depth 162 m. During the expedition some geological and tectonic trips were made along with biospeleological and speleo-climatological studies. In September the same year, the 9 members from speleo club "Studenetz", Pleven, went to Bridash to continue the work in the cave BB-30. They discovered and explored the cave to the limit - 60 m in 1992. The cave was explored to - 260 m depth without reaching the end. 25 new caves were discovered and mapped. Later the expedition team worked few days near Small and Bid Prespa Lakes in South East Albania, where were explored 3 new caves. In September the same year, an interclub team consisted of 5 well experienced cavers from Sofia (N.Gladnishkir, N.Landzhev, V.Peltekov, P.Deltchev and S.Tashevska), made detailed exploration of the Mali I Thatë Mt. (2287 m.a.s.l) - South East Albania. Being near the Albanian-Greek and Albanian-FY Republic of Macedonia, the most of the discovered cave-entrances were armed. The cavers explored few little caves. In June 1995, a team of nine Bulgarians, supported by G. Uruci, worked on the caves of Korinotit and Muriqelles massifs. There were discovered and surveyed 28 new caves, the biggest of which is V-21 with 110 m deep. Some of the caves were explored biospeleologicaly. From 8 to 24 September 1995, the members of SC "Studenetz"-Pleven worked again in BB-30. The superb efforts resulted in discovery of few undescended pitches to the depth 570 m without end - new depth record in Albania - and 26 new caves. The next Bulgarian expedition was held in August 1996, when were discovered and explored 26 new caves in the massifs Korinotit, Muriqelles, Drugomires and Bridash. The deepest of them were K14-148 m; Vb11 -112 m and K21- 110 m. During the expedition were made hydrogeological, lithological, speleo-climathological and biospeleological studies. From 8 to 15 July 2002, A. Jalov and N. Gladnishki explored the karst area of Malësia e Gollobordes (Golobordes Mt.) in Central part of East Albania. During the trip were discovered several, but mapped only 2 caves. In August 2003 (10-28), 6 members of SC ”Studenetz”-Pleven, led by O. Kolov, worked on the prolongation of the cave BB-30 in Bridash massif of Albanian Alps. The expedition ended with a depth record of 610 m. The cave BB-30 became the deepest cave in Albania. From 27 July to 4 August 2004 7 cavers from SC ”Helictit” and 1 caver from SC ”Urvitch”, both from Sofia, Bulgaria explored the karst area of Malësia e Gollobordes (Golobordes Mt.) in the Central part of East Albania for the second time. During the expedition 10 new caves were discovered and 7 of them were explored. Some caves were explored biospeleologicaly. The last Bulgarian expedition was organized from SC ”Helictit”-Sofia and held from 24 July to 5 August 2005 in Albanian Alps. The cavers discovered and mapped 5 new caves the longest of which was Shpella Ratheve - 257 m.

6 .Scientific Results Caves in Albanian Alps Mt. The eight expeditions, undertaken in Albanian Alps, resulted in discovery, exploration and surveying of 201 new caves. The hypsometrical distribution of all explored caves is given in next table .

Vertical ranges in m. a. s.l 300-400 500-600 1000-1100 1400-1500 1500-1600 1600-1700 1800-1900 1900-2000 Number 2 2 2 13 21 19 43 11 of caves

Table 1. Hypsometrical distribution of 129 of all explored caves in Albanian Alps

Most of them are vertical and can be divided into vertical ranges as follows: deeper than 100 m - 17 caves (Table 2); from 80 to 90 m - 9; 70-80 m- 7; 60-70 m - 4; 50-60 m -12 and 147 caves in the range from 10 to 50 m deep. The longest caves are: Shpella ne Majes te Arapit - 840 m and denivelation + 58 m, Shpella Ratheve - 257 m, Shpella Jubanit - 255 m and K20 -205 m. The largest cave chamber is that of Shpella e Gjolave with an area of 8875 m2 and volume 443 750 m3. The deepest and longest of the three karst springs which were explored is Syni i Sheganit, respectively - 52 and 165 m.

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Сканирано от Хинко www.hinko.org N Name Altitude Depth Length Year of m.a.s.l. (m) (m) exploration 1. Shpella BB-30 1940 610 - 1994-2003 2. Shp. e Cilikokave 1840 505 124 1993 3. Shp.B-33 1880 205 165 1993 4. Shp BB-1 1460 162 - 1994 5. Shp K-14 1630 148 - 1996 6. Shp B-24 1870 135 - 1993 7. Shp VB-50 1550 131 - 1992 8. Shp K-21 1830 126 - 1996 9. Shp VB-11 1610 112 - 1996 10. Shp.e Majes te Zeze 1520 110 - 1992 11. Shp V-21 1520 110 - 1995 12. Shp.Jubanit 410 110 225 1991 13. Shp.Uruchit 1560 108 - 1992 14. Shp BB-11 1850 106 - 1993 15. Shp . Qafa Pejes 1680 105 54 1993 16. Shp. Fushe Zeze 1500 105 - 1992 17. Shp. B-42 2000 104 80 1993

Table 2. List of the caves in Albanian Alps deeper than 100 m, explored during the Bulgarian expeditions

Caves in other areas of Albania Mali I Thathe Mt. - SE Albania During the two expeditions in the Big and Little Prespa Lakes area there were explored 6 new caves, the longest of which is Spella Ujkut, near Proger vill. (200 m). Malesia e Gollobordes Mt. - E Albania The expeditions in Malësia e Gollobordes was explored the following new caves:

№ Name of the cave Village Altitude Length Depth m.a.s.l (m) (m) 1 Shpella Gur Borova 940 41.00 +14.80 i Graghkame (Natov) 2 Shpella Lopes Borova 885 33.93 +2.00 3 Shpella Alles Borova 880 112.00 10.50 (-2.80; +7.70) 4 Shpella Gur i Jaut Borova 875 161.42 -12.29 5 Shpella Buchaliste Klenije 1230 12.00 -22.54 6 Shpella Peshtnik Ostreni I M 1100 41.50 -11.10 7 Shpella Qutetit Zerkiani 590 123.00 - 8 Shpella Plumave Stebleva 1268 25.00 18.00 9 Shpella ne Hadzi te Malit Stebleva 1295 32.00 17.00 10 Shpella Plumave Stebleva 1324 17.00 8.00 List of the caves explored in Golo Bardo Mt.

7. Geological , tectonic, hydrogeological explorations in Albanian Alps The expedition in Albanian Alps in 1994 collected some structural-tectonic information. The main goal of these studies (Shanov, 1996) was to investigate the influence of young tectonic processes on the karst formation. The analyzed information, concerning the karstic massif in Albanian Alps, situated NE from Boga vill., shows, that the massif is built up of Jurassic limestone, deformed at the end of the Eocene. The tip of water-bearing system is jointed- karstic. The direction of the principal tectonic stress axes σ1, σ 2 and σ 3, having acted on the massif from Early Jurassic time up to present days, have been determined by analyzing the dispersion of the pairs conjugate shear joints, as well as tectonic striations and one fault-plane solution from an earthquake near the region of our investigations. The Pyrenees tectonic phase deformations led to the opening of joint systems, striking at NE-SW. The deformations in neotectonic phase have formed secondary joint systems, striking at NW-SE. Faults play a control role about atmospheric waters drainage, as well as about mechanical transportation of debris and deep up to several hundred-meter precipices, open around them mainly in brecciaed zones. The erosion velocity is dominating on process of massif uplift during the Quaternary, and many of superficial karstic forms are filled up by diluvial material. This systems of fractures determinate the development of most explored caves. The speleological as well as structural-geological investigations in the karstic massif to the North-West of Boge settlements clarified additionally some problems and showed a strong significance of the fault tectonics as a factor for precipices and caverns formation in the most

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Сканирано от Хинко www.hinko.org fragmented zones by young displacements. The analysis of direction of development of 77 of all explored caves pointed that 39% are developed in NE-SW; 25% in NW-SE; 16% in E-W and 20% - N-S. The development of surface karst relief is dominated by karst corrosion unlike the subsurface karst forms, which are mainly of erosional-tectonic origin. One of the aims of the expedition, carried out in the Alps in 1996, was to investigate the relationship between geological, tectonic, climatic and hydrogeological conditions in the karst region Boga-Kozhnia (Ivanov, 1999). Because of the short time, it was possible to cover only an area of about 10 km2, so our results are not conclusive, concerning the whole karst massif. At the same time the research, which has been carried out and the data that are currently available, are insufficient for complete description of the hydrogeological framework of the region. It will be possible after an additional and more prolonged and profound further studies. The conclusions we can draw from the research are primarily of practical importance for our speleological studies of the Albanian Alps and especially explored area. The basic conclusion is, that the lithological and tectonic setting of the massif creates favorable conditions for the formation of gigantic karst systems with elevation range of over 2000 m between the zones of supply and drainage. The strong tectonic activities create prerequisites for the occurrence of large cavities, especially in the lower parts of aeration zone, near to local tectonic fractures. The marked tectonic dissection implies the division of the stream into multitude of trickles, its a fast drainage and as a consequence, insufficient time for corrosion activity. Unfortunately, this also means that below certain depths the cavities will be too narrow for speleologists to get through. Practical experience has shown this to occur 500-600 m below the surface. We hope that the future will give us the opportunity to made more detailed researches so to confirm once more or to disprove this inference. The speleological investigations gave us a chance to find some meteorite particles in the sediments of two karst caves placed North-West of the village of Boga, in the Albanian Alps. According some Bulgarian authors (Stoev & Muglova, 2000), the interpretation of their origin is like follows: The massive is formed in the Jura and in the Trias limestone and is deformed in the end of the Eocene. Meteorite particles derive as a result of ablation and paleometeorite collision. Many individual representatives were precipitated, separated from the basic meteorite (in the Jurassic sea). That is the reason of their limited number in the volume of becoming karst massive. As a most probable mechanism of ablation is proposed the spraying of meteorite substance as a result of liquefying the surface meteorite layer. The breaking to pieces is under the form of spheres and flaskets with characteristic morphometric dimensions of 102 - 10-1 cm (the representatives found are with dimensions of 10 cm to several mm). The secondary meteorite particles ablation is considered. There is a process of karst collectors formation after water - mechanical precipitation of meteorite substance in the process of massive becoming karst. The velocity of water flow transported and precipitated mechanical particles has been estimated. It is in the interval of 0.8-5.5 m/s and progressively decreases in time. Chemical analysis of six meteorites pieces show that the basic chemical composition Fe (91%), Ni (8.4%) and Co (0.5%) as well as the class of the fallen paleometeorite-ferrous-nickel.

8. Cave’s Climate of the caves in Albanian Alps The carrying out of speleoclimatic studies was the goal of the expeditions in the Alps in 1994 and 1996. Then micro-climatically observations of 39 caves were made (Stoev, Muglova & Stoev, 1997). Applying classical methods of microclimate investigation in the caves from the region data for basic microclimatic parameters have been obtained. Comparatively low air temperatures in the interval of – 0.8 to + 4.4 oC have been registered. The temperatures as well as the availability of snow and ice masses of many years determined the examined caves as ice-caves. The snow, firn and ice accumulation, are favored by the large initial vertical caves deeper than 20 m. The age of blocks of snow and ice could be estimated using measurements about their annual layers. For example in a section of a block from K25 cave nearly 365 snow layers has been registered and in cave K25A they are 286. Probably this stratification shows limited age of blocks - about 400 years. The zone of thermostatic air begins from the place of the first snow accumulation which imbalances the microclimate of the caves and they become colder than the others at the same sea level and climatic zone. In the zones with constant temperature the relative humidity is 60 to 80 % and in most of the caves the flowing and dropping water is too little. Shift-flowing draughts with high velocities are not typical of the air exchange in caves. The standard equalization of both cave barometric pressure and that one outside ground air layer creates weak draughts outside and inside without anomalies of the velocity or their direction. Taking into account that the caves in the region are developed mainly in zones of vertical-going down, passing and horizontal circulation of the underground waters, it is natural to associate part of the air exchange with karst massif clefts connected with surface. Velocities of the order of 0.005 to 0.020 m/s were registered. The air quantity coming in the caves from the massif is 30 m3/h for isostatic caves and 20 to 25 m3/h for dynamic ones. 10. Zoological exploration of Abanian caves Thanks to the Bulgarian-Albanian expeditions and cooperation a significant amount of cave and external zoological material was collected. During the expeditions were collected important series of cave and external fauna from different groups (Crustacea, Araneida, Opilionida, Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Coleoptera, etc.). Most of them is still under study in Bulgaria and by foreign specialists and will be described soon so here we will try to make a review of the determined animals up to date. During the expedition in 1994, eight species of Cyclopoids from underground water of North Albania especially Shkodra district were collected and reported by (Pandurski, 1997). One of them, Diacyclops paolae Pesce & Gallassi, is stygobiont specie and is new for the Albanian fauna. Four new for Albania harpacticoids were collected also from the

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Сканирано от Хинко www.hinko.org karstic ground waters of North Albania: Nitorca bibernica (Brady); Bryocamptus (Br.)minutus (Claus); Bryocamptus (Rb.) spinulosus Borutzki, Parastenocaris sp. (APOSTOLOV, 2004). In 1995, during the consecutive expedition, zooplankton samples from eight stations were collected. From all of the investigated waters 14 taxa Rotatoria, 11 taxa Cladocera and 6 taxa Copepoda were established (Kozhuharov, 2000). The Cladocera Daphnia galeata and the Cyclopoids Tropocyclops prasinus and Acanthocyclops vernalis are also new for the Albanian fauna. The collection of Arachnida from all expeditions contains 12 species of Opiliones belonging to four families and two species of Scorpions (Euscorpiidae). Ten of them – the Opiliones Paranemastoma titanicum (Roewer), Trogulus napaeformis (Scopoli), Opilio saxatilis (C.L.Koch), Metaplatybunus strigosus (L. Koch), Metaplatybunus carneluttii (Hadzi), Lacinius dentiger (C.L.Koch), Amilenus auratiacus (Simon) and Mitostoma cancellatum (Roewer)(Mitov, 2000) and Scorpiones - Euscorpius carpathicus (Linnaeus) and Euscorpius beroni Fet are new for Albanian fauna and the last one is new for the science (Fet, 2000). Sixteen centipede and twenty two millipede species of cave and external fauna are also collected during speleological campain in different areas of Albania. Six Chilopoda - Eupolybothrus (L.Koch), Lithobius schuleri (Verhoeff), Lithobius latro (Meinert), Cryptops rucneri (Matic) and Lithobius (s.str.) stygius (Latzel) are new to the fauna of Albania (Stoev, 1996; Stoev, 2001). Among the Diplopoda new for Albania are Leptoiulus macedonicus (Attems), the troglobiontic species Macrochaetosoma troglomontanum (Absolon & Lang), Acanthopetalum albidicolle (Verhoeff). Acanthopetalum subpatens, Typhloiulus beroni is new specie for the science (Mauries, Golovatch & Stoev, 1997; Stoev, 2001). The contribution of biological researches during all joint expeditions resulted of discovering of 19 new species to Albanian fauna, including one new specie for the science. As a conclusion of the zoological part of this report we must note, that some of the most interesting are the discoveries of new beetles. During the expedition in 1993, we explored also the cave of Merkurth (Shpella Merkuth) near Kurbnesh- Rreshen District. There P. Beron and B. Petrov collected two new species for the science: Albanotrechus beroni Casale et Gueorguiev ( Coleoptera: Carabidae) (Casale&Gueorguiev, 1994), and Albanodirus beroni (Giachino) (Coleoptera: Cholevidae)(Giachino&Vailati,2001). Two more new species for the science were collected by A. Zhalov, Zh. Petrov and K. Stoichkov from Speleo Club “Helictite” – Sofia, during the expeditions in Golo Burdo Mt. in 2002 and 2004. They are Duvalius (Euduvalius) zhalovi n. sp. (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechini) (Guéorguiev, B.2005:33-40) and Ceuthophyes sp. (Coleoptera:Leiodidae) (Guéorguiev, B., in press, personal communication of A. Zhalov). 11. Media presentation to the public The expeditions in Albania and their results found wide reflection in the Bulgarian periodicals, speleological and specialized scientific journals in Bulgaria and abroad, which could be seen from the bibliography below. Our cooperative work and joint efforts were in the focus of attention of many European Speleological organizations and their journals, like: “Spelunca” (France), “Speleologia”(Italy), “Caves & Caving” / later “Speleology” (UK), “Regards” (Belgium), “International Caver”, ”Svet” (Ukraina & Russia), etc. A visual presentation of Albania to the Bulgarian public was made in 1993-1994. The studio “Chaplains Film” (director K. Maslarski and cameraman P. Panchev) created a 5-series film, which presents in a popular way the nature, history and culture of Albania, as well as the work of the expedition in 1993. The film was shown several times on the Bulgarian National Television and took part in the International Festival of Speleological Films in Barcelona in 1994. Meanwhile, in 1996, the National Museum of Natural History and Bulgarian Academy of Science, organized a photo-exhibition “Albania and Indonesia through the objective of the Bulgarian Speleologists”. The exhibition included 33 photos, which show the work of expeditions, the people, nature, folklore and historical sites in Albania (author A. Zhalov). Later the exhibition was shown in the Museum of Speleology and Bulgarian Karst in Chepelare, the Paleontological Museum in Assenovgrad and in the National Museum “Earth and Man” in Sofia. These activities contributed to the wider presentation of Albania to the Bulgarian and international public and increased the interest in this beautiful country and its people.

Acknowledgments I would like to thank the members of the clubs of Bulgarian Federation of Speleology, who supported me during all expeditions and for their cooperation in the exploration of Albanian Alps and Malësia e Gollobordes. I am very obliged to my friend and colleague Prof. Gezim Uruçi - the President of Albanian Speleological Association, for his cordially friendship, selfless help and proverbial hospitality. I would like to thank my friends and colleagues A. Benderev for the useful suggestions during the writing of this text, A. Stoev, B. Guéorguiev, D. Kozhuharov, I. Ivanov, I. Pandurski, P. Mitov, P. Muglova, and others, who kindly offered me the result on their work, and M. Stamenova, who help me to translate to English this report.

References Apostolov,A.,(2004) Harpacticoida (Crustacea:Copepoda)des eaux souterraines de l’Albanie.-Historia naturalis bulgarica,16,p.69-72. Casale, A., Gueorguiev, V. (1994) Albanotrechus beroni, nuovo genere nuova specie de Trechini cavernicoli di Albania (Coleoptera,Carabidae).- Bolletino del Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali-Torino, Vol.12 (2), p. 413-423.

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Сканирано от Хинко www.hinko.org Ivanov, I. (1999) Relationship between geological, tectonic, climatic and hydrogeological conditions in the karst region Boga-Kozhnia, Albania.- Theoretical and Applied Karstology, vol.11-12/1998-1999, pp.101-108, Editura Academiei Romane, Bucuresti. Jalov A. (1997) Results of Bulgarian-Albanian speleological expeditions in Albanian Alps from 1991 to 1996".- Proceedings of XII International Congress of Speleology-Vol.IV., pp.25-28, Switzerland. Kozhuharov, D. (2000) The zooplankton from some lakes and ponds in North Albania with different size and altitude.- Historia naturalis bulgarica,11, p.33-37. Mauries, J-P., Golovatch, S., Stoev, P. (1997) The millipedes of Albania: recent data, new taxa; systematical, nomeclatural and faunistical review (Myriapoda, Diplopoda).- Zoosystema, Paris, 19(2-3), p.255-292. Mitov, Pl. ( 2000 ) Contribution to the knowledge of the harvestmen (Arachida: Opiliones) of Albania.-In: Gajdos P., Pekar S.(eds): Proceedings of the 18 th European Colloquium of Arachnology, Stara Lesna, 1999. Ecologia(Bratislava), 19, Supplement 3/2000, p.159-169. Pandurski, I.(1997) Cyclopides (Crustacea, Copepoda) des eaux souterraines d’Albanie.- Acta zoollogica bulgarica, N 49, pp.64-67. Stoev, P. (1996) Notes on the Chilopoda of Albania, 1. - Arthropoda Selecta 5(3/4), pp.125, Moskow. Stoev, A., Muglova, P., Stoev, D.(1997) Temperature Anomalies Formation and Secular Instability Research of Ice of Athmospheric Origin in the Karst caves of North Albanian Alps.- Proceedings of XII International Congress of Speleology-Vol.1, p.207-210. Stoev, A., Muglova, P. (2000) Meteorite ablation in karst medium.- In: Karst.V.1, Proceedings of National Conference on Environmental and Cultural Heritage in Karst- 10-11 november 2000, Sofia, Bulgaria, p.82-85. Stoev, P.(2001) On two myriapods (Chilopoda,Diplopoda) new to the fauna of Albania.-Historia naturalis bulgarica, 13/2001, p.109-110. Shanov, St.(1996) Young tectonic and karst formation in the Albanian Alps.- Geologica Balcanica 26.3, pp.47- 52, Sofia. Talani, R.(1990) Vecorite morfologjike te prllgjeve utembledhes te Alpeve te Shiperise.-Studime gjeografike. 4, p.123-133 ,Tirana. Fet, V. (2000) Scorpions (Archnida, Scorpiones) from the Balkan Peninsula in the collection of the National Museum of Natural History, Sofia.- Historia naturalis bulgarica,11, p.47-60. Fistani, A.(1982) Shpella e Gaitanit(Te dhena parapaket).-Bull. shkencor.Shkoder 1, p. 207-212. Genest,L,Ch.Jubertie(1994) Albanie. – In: Ch.Juberthie &V.Decu, eds.):Encyclopedia biospeleologica, 1, p.591- 594, Moulis-Bucarest. Geuorguiev, B. (2005) Two new inhabiting trechine beetles from Allania.- Fragmenta entomologica, Roma, 37 (1). Giachino, P.M.,D.Vailati (2001) Una nuova specie di Albanodirus dell’Albania (Coleoptera,Cholevidae, Leptodirinae).- Bolletino del Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali-Torino (18/1), p.99-105. Gruda, G. (1985) Morfologja e lugines se Valbona. Studime gjeografike I, pp.117-128, Tirana. Hanak,V.( 1964) Zur Kenntnis der Fledermausfauna Albaniens.- Vest. s.spol.zool. 28(1), p.8-88. Hoti,M.(1990)Vecori fizico-gjeografike te fushes se Mbishkodres.-Studime gjeografike. N.4, pp. 159 - 173, Tirana. Uruci, G. (1994) Historia e zvillimit te shkences se speleologjise ne Shqiperi.-Seminari i pare nderkombetar "Shkodra ne shekuj"(22-23 Qershor 1993) pp.405-417, Shkoder.

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