Anophthalmus hitleri

## About

An Anophthalmus hitleri specimen.

***(Anophthalmus hitleri)*** or Hitlerjev brezokec in Slovene, is a species of blind cave beetle scarcely native to Slovenian cave systems. A. hitleri is a small, blind, troglobitic beetle that lacks any physical or vestigial eyes. It is rather unremarkable, with its most striking feature being its golden or brown exoskeleton. The species was first named by Austrian entomologist, Oskar Scheibel (1881-1953) in 1933, who named the species after Adolf Hitler (1889-1945). Scheibel named A. hitleri after the politician following his recent election as the Chancellor of Germany, before his catastrophic actions in WW2. Hitler would notice Scheibel's newly named insect, composing a personal letter to the entomologist, displaying his gratitude. There have been many calls to change the species' name throughout the scientific community however, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) has declared that a species' given name is its correct name and it cannot be invalidated. A solution given by the ICZN's vice-president is that the species' name may be informally changed.

## Diet

A. hitleri is presumed to be a common predator of other smaller cave-dwelling invertebrates.

## Conservation Status

Though the species has not yet been evaluated by the IUCN, it is suggested to be in danger of extinction. A. hitleri is common hunted by collectors for its Latin name. It is a common point of collection for Neo-Nazi communities, who collect the species for the subject of its name. These people exhibit the beetles in Nazi memorabilia collections, as a manner of presenting the species as a homage to Hitler. A. hitleri is sold illegally on the black market for amounts reaching up to €1,138-€1,839 (or $1,238-$2,000 USD). This trading has created an incentive for people to continue to illegally capture and sells the beetles to Nazi sympathisers. Demand for the beetle for these memorabilia collects has led to other collections being pillaged solely for ownership of the beetle. The Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, Germany for example, had almost all of its specimens stolen for this purpose. A. hitleri is protected under Slovenian law and the caves it inhabits are accessible only through a government permit however, it is suggested that thieves reach the caves through bordering Italy, where the species is unprotected. In 2017 traps were found throughout the cave systems (likely from Austrian and Italian poachers), which have resulted in calls for the caves to be completely sealed off, to avoid an extinction and further trafficking. The Slovenian government has responded by placing armed policemen around some cave entrances in order to discourage poaching. This situation has heightened and continued public outcry for the species' name to be finally changed officially.

## Range and Population

A. hitleri occurs in only around 15 humid caves systems in Slovenia. Little is known about the characteristics of this species' favoured habitat. As an enigmatic beetle, the population of A. hitleri is completely unknown and decreasing due to illegal capture.

## Behaviour

Nothing is known about A. hitleri's behavioural and breeding characteristics, other than the fact it is likely an apex predator among other small troglobitic invertebrates.

### Relationship with Humans

As previously stated, the beetle is commonly hunted for its place in Nazi memorabilia. This has caused mass decline in the species' population as well as demands to change its Latin name to something that does not harm the species. The Slovenian government's admirable protection of the species, may soon lead to an increase in overall numbers, if continued and upheld.

## In Captivity

This species does not exist in captivity.

## Sources

* Anophthalmus hitleri | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anophthalmus\_hitleri
* The Beetle Almost Driven To Extinction By Neo-Nazis | Medium - https://medium.com/@AlecDeLarge/the-beetle-almost-driven-to-extinction-by-neo-nazis-5f42b232b8e8