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The diagnosis of the genus Kunstidamaeus Miko, 2006 is given and a new generic concept within Damaeus sensu lato is proposed. Epidamaeus, Kunstidamaeus and Spatiodamaeus are given generic status, whereas Adamaeus, Paradamaeus and the nominal subgenus Damaeus s. stricto are considered to be subgenera of the genus Damaeus. The type species K. lengersdorfi (Willmann, 1932) including the immature stases is redescribed and its geographic distribution and ecology is discussed. The neotype of K. lengersdorfi is designated. Together with the type species, the genus Kunstidamaeus includes seven known European species: K. tenuipes (Michael, 1885), K. tecticola (Michael, 1888), K. nivalis (Kulczynski, 1902), K. nidicola (Willmann, 1936), K. diversipilis (Willmann, 1951), K. granulatus (Willmann, 1951), and K. longisetosus (Willmann, 1953).

Abstract. Five samples of clastic sediments from interior cave facies taken in three Slovenian relic caves (Trhlovca, Račiška pečina, and a cave inČrnotiče Quarry, Classical Karst, SW Slovenia) provided invertebrate fossil remains. Most of them belong to Oribatida but sparse individuals of Cladocera and insects were also identified. They represent the first pre-Quaternary invertebrate fossils found in sediments of continental temperate climate. The Pliocene/Pleistocene age of the sediments was determined by paleomagnetic dating chronologically calibrated by micromammal biostratigraphy. Invertebrate fossils could be validated as new proxy for the study of cave sediments due to their suitability for ecological and paleogeographic correlations in caves and outside the caves. They also bring additional information about cave formation and karst hydraulic regime in the area. Although the number of remains was very low, it is evidence that climatic conditions in caves allow a better preservation of fossil remains of some groups as compared to most of the surface habitats. This may open a new direction in the study of cave sediments.