Varathro Afentis Christos

Higher Geography
Region: Kriti,
Sub-Region: Irakleio,
Municipality: Gortyna,
Closest Settlement: Charakas
Cave type
Natural
Protection status
  • GR4310005 - Asterousia Ori (Kofinas) (Special Area of Conservation): Law 3937/2011 (OGG/Α 60/31.03.2011), Joint Ministerial Decision 50743/2017 (OGG 4432/B/15.12.17). Check site’s Standard Data Form
  • GR4310013 – Asterousia Ori (Kofinas) (Special Protection Area): Law 3937/2011 (OGG/Α 60/31.03.2011), Joint Ministerial Decision 50743/2017 (OGG 4432/B/15.12.17). Check site’s Standard Data Form
  • K706 – Asterousia-Municipalities of Asterousia and Kofinas [Wildlife Refuge]: OGG 753/Β/15-06-2001
Fauna
  • Eopolita protensa (A. Férussac, 1832), Karakasi et al. 2024
    Phylum: Mollusca / Class: Gastropoda / Order: Stylommatophora / Family: Oxychilidae
  • Hoplopholcus labyrinthi (Kulczynski, 1903), Huber 2020
    Phylum: Arthropoda / Class: Arachnida / Order: Araneae / Family: Pholcidae
  • Limax sp., Karakasi et al. 2024
    Phylum: Mollusca / Class: Gastropoda / Order: Stylommatophora / Family: Limacidae
  • Lindbergia pseudoillyrica A. Riedel, 1960, Karakasi et al. 2024
    Phylum: Mollusca / Class: Gastropoda / Order: Stylommatophora / Family: Pristilomatidae
  • Mediterranea hydatina (Rossmässler, 1838), Karakasi et al. 2024
    Phylum: Mollusca / Class: Gastropoda / Order: Stylommatophora / Family: Oxychilidae
Cave references
  • Nikoloudakis, I., Paragamian, K. 2006. Speleological researches in the area of Asterousia mountains. In Paragamian, K. and D. Choreftaki. Proceedings of the 2nd Pancretan Speleological Symposium dedicated to the memory of Eleftherios Platakis Irakleio Crete Hellenic Speleological Society, Department of Crete. 83-89.
Species references
  • Huber B.A. 2020. Revision of the spider genus Hoplopholcus Kulczyński (Araneae, Pholcidae). Zootaxa 4726:1–94.
  • Karakasi D, Paragamian K, Mylonas M, Vardinoyannis K 2024. What`s crawling in the dark? An annotated list of gastropods in Greek caves.. Subterranean Biology 48: 73-116. https://doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.48.113383
Citation
Paragamian, K. 2026. Fauna of the cave Varathro Afentis Christos, Charakas, Gortyna, Kriti. In Paragamian, K., M. Poulinakis, S. Paragamian and I. Nikoloudakis. Cave fauna of Greece database - Hellenic Institute of Speleological Research. Cave data updated 14.02.2024, Accessed 03.04.2026