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Geographical society discovers new animal species in Siberian deepest cave

The scientists have found four new species in the deepest cave extending 309 meters called Kek-Tash

© Igor Katayev/ITAR-TASS

NOVOSIBIRSK, July 19. /TASS/. Members of Russian Geographical Society’s cave exploration team have found at least four previously unknown animal species and new underground tunnels with large caverns in the deepest cave extending 309 meters called Kek-Tash, located in Siberia, expedition leader Stanislav Kuptsov said Tuesday.

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"Life in this region’s caves has never been studied, and according to the preliminary results, four new species were found. Called troglofauna - a common name for cave-dwelling animals - these creatures are born, live and die in caves. The species are very prehistoric and likely to have appeared millions of years ago," Kuptsov said.

The depth of Altai expedition has become the geographical society’s biggest speleological expedition so far, with over 70 people taking part in it.

In the future, Siberian speleologists will continue observing the Kek-Tash cave as well as the whole region, Kuptsov stressed.

"We can say that we have done nothing yet. The next expedition will start in September and our first expeditions will be aimed at preserving the cave," he said.

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