Latest Articles from Subterranean Biology Latest 12 Articles from Subterranean Biology https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:53:58 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Subterranean Biology https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/ First biological data, associated fauna, and microclimate preferences of the enigmatic cave-dwelling beetle Dalyat mirabilis Mateu, 2002 (Coleoptera, Carabidae) https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/87205/ Subterranean Biology 44: 103-121

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.44.87205

Authors: Jaime Mayoral, Pablo Barranco, Angel Fernandez-Cortes

Abstract: Dalyat mirabilis is an extraordinary troglobite carabid described in 2002 from the cave Simarrón II in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain). A new subfamily Dalyatinae was erected to accommodate this species with remarkable morphological characters and adaptations to live underground. In addition to the former original descriptions, there is only one more study and it aimed to elucidate its evolutionary history. Its closest living relative belongs to the genus Promecognathus in North America and both groups seem to have diverged sometime in the late Jurassic to early Cretaceous. In this work, the phenology of D. mirabilis, its associated invertebrate fauna and the environmental conditions of the cave Simarrón II were studied for a full year cycle. This carabid is not evenly distributed in the cave, in time or space. It is most abundant during the winter months, wet season, and it disappears from the top layer of the substrate in the summer. A positive correlation was found between the number of carabids captured per trap and the distance to the entrance of the cave; most specimens were captured in traps farthest from the entrance and located in the chamber known as Vias Salas Negras. Furthermore, several spatially-resolved analyses integrating relative humidity, temperature, and the number of captures per trap showed that D. mirabilis prefers Vias Salas Negras for having a higher and more stable relative humidity than other chambers in the cave. Larvae were never captured, regardless of intense efforts to collect them for years. Finally, 30 other invertebrate species belonging to 12 different Orders were captured in the cave and are listed here, 25.8% are troglobites, 29.0% troglophiles and 45.2% troglexenes. The data from this study was used for an initiative to protect this cave and its remarkable fauna. Some of the measures taken by the Administration include the control of human visits to the cave, the installation of a perimetral fence surrounding the entrance, and the installation of an informative panel at the exterior of the cave describing the endemic entomological fauna it contains.

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Research Article Thu, 1 Sep 2022 16:55:30 +0300
Benthic species assemblages change through a freshwater cavern-type cenote in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/77980/ Subterranean Biology 44: 1-20

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.44.77980

Authors: Dorottya Angyal, Sergio Cohuo, José Manuel Castro-Pérez, Maite Mascaró, Carlos Rosas

Abstract: We studied benthic assemblages through X-Batún, a continental freshwater cenote and its associated submerged cave located in San Antonio Mulix (Yucatán, Mexico). Using cave diving techniques, we collected sediment samples at four zones of the system. We extracted and counted individuals of benthic species in three replicates of 5 grams of wet sediment at each site. The biological composition was integrated by 15 species from eight higher taxonomic groups. Non-metric multidimensional scaling distinguished four assemblages that coincided with surface, open water, cavern and cave zones. ANOSIM test revealed significant differences between the assemblages. In the deeper zones of the cenote characterized by twilight and total darkness, Ostracoda and Gastropoda show the highest diversity and abundance, with practical absence in surface sediments. This pattern may suggest ecological interactions with chemosynthetic bacterial activity. Surface shows an assemblage typical of epigean environments. Environmental variables along the cenote varied little from the upper layers to bottom. Linear correlation and detrended canonical analysis revealed that light is the main driver of benthic species assemblages. Temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen exert higher influence at individual biological benthic assemblage in X-Batún.

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Research Article Thu, 11 Aug 2022 08:57:32 +0300
Three new troglobitic Coarazuphium (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Zuphiini) species from a Brazilian hotspot of cave beetles: exploring how the environmental attributes of caves drive ground-beetle niches https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/73185/ Subterranean Biology 43: 97-126

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.43.73185

Authors: Thais Giovannini Pellegrini, Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira, Robson de Almeida Zampaulo, Letícia Vieira

Abstract: Three new species of troglobitic beetles of the genus Coarazuphium are described from specimens collected in iron ore caves in the Flona de Carajás in Brazil, doubling the number of known species for the Carajás region. The new species of Coarazuphium are morphologically similar to the already described species from the same region and are distributed in a small geographic range. From all Coarazuphium species of the region, including the new ones, two stand out, C. spinifemur and C. xingu sp. nov., which are the smallest Coarazuphium species. Both species have shorter legs and antennae when compared to the others. The main characteristic that differentiates C. xikrin sp. nov. and C. kayapo sp. nov. from the other two species from the Carajás region, C. tapiaguassu and C. amazonicum, is that the new species have more numerous setigerous punctures dorsally on the head. With the three new species added to the six already described congeners, the area of intense mining of the Carajás region includes the highest diversity of obligatory cave-dwelling beetles in Brazil, representing a hotspot of cave beetles. Coarazuphium xikrin sp. nov. and C. amazonicum co-occur in some of the caves of the Carajás region, which is possible due to putative niche differentiation between the species. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining legal provisions that ensure the preservation of caves, especially those most relevant regarding physical and biotic aspects, which is crucial for the conservation of Brazilian subterranean biodiversity.

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Research Article Fri, 10 Jun 2022 08:45:54 +0300
Don’t forget the vertical dimension: assessment of distributional dynamics of cave-dwelling invertebrates in both ground and parietal microhabitats https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/71805/ Subterranean Biology 40: 43-63

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.40.71805

Authors: Valentina Balestra, Enrico Lana, Cristina Carbone, Jo De Waele, Raoul Manenti, Loris Galli

Abstract: Biological studies on factors shaping underground communities are poor, especially those considering simultaneously organisms with different degrees of adaptation to cave life. In this study, we assessed the annual dynamics and use of both horizontal and vertical microhabitats of a whole community with the aim of understanding whether cave-dwelling organisms have a similar distribution among vertical and ground-level microhabitats and to find out which microhabitat features influence such distribution. We monthly assessed from 2017 to 2018, by direct observation combined with quadrat sampling method on the ground and transects on the walls, richness and abundance of 62 cave-dwelling species in a cave of Northern Italy. Environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature, relative humidity and mineralogical composition of the substrates were measured during each monitoring session, influencing the dynamics of the whole community and revealing significant differences between ground and wall microhabitats. A gradient of variation of the species assemblages occurred from the entrance toward inner areas, however, evidence that the dynamics of the walls are very different from those occurring at the ground independent from the distance from the surface are shown. Biodiversity indices highlighted sampling area diversity and a discrete total cave fauna biodiversity with the highest values found near the entrance and the lowest in the inner part of the cave.

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Research Article Thu, 14 Oct 2021 07:40:43 +0300
Let research on subterranean habitats resonate! https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/59960/ Subterranean Biology 36: 63-71

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.36.59960

Authors: Stefano Mammola, Alejandro Martinez

Abstract: Whereas scientists interested in subterranean life typically insist that their research is exciting, adventurous, and important to answer general questions, this enthusiasm and potential often fade when the results are translated into scientific publications. This is because cave research is often written by cave scientists for cave scientists; thus, it rarely “leaves the cave”. However, the status quo is changing rapidly. We analysed 21,486 articles focused on subterranean ecosystems published over the last three decades and observed a recent, near-exponential increase in their annual citations and impact factor. Cave research is now more often published in non-specialized journals, thanks to a number of authors who are exploiting subterranean habitats as model systems for addressing important scientific questions. Encouraged by this positive trend, we here propose a few personal ideas for improving the generality of subterranean literature, including tips for framing broadly scoped research and making it accessible to a general audience, even when published in cave-specialized journals. Hopefully, this small contribution will succeed in condensing and broadcasting even further the collective effort taken by the subterranean biology community to bring their research “outside the cave”.

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Short Communication Mon, 16 Nov 2020 16:16:56 +0200
Siberian weasel Mustela sibirica Pallas, 1773 predatism on bats during winter period https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/46617/ Subterranean Biology 32: 111-117

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.32.46617

Authors: Alexander Zhigalin

Abstract: This work presents the results of a three-year natural environment experiment in a cave in Barsukovskaya, Siberia), aimed at assessing the possible impact of mammals preying on a wintering group of bats. The average consumed biomass amount per year was about 2108 g and the estimated number of prey animals was 214, which is about 20% of the maximum number of animals observed. The biomass consumed poorly correlates with the number of animals in the cave. The proportion of the various species remaining in the excrement of predators is strongly determined by the number of these species in the accessible part of the cave. The amount of excrement indicates the regular predatism on bats and, therefore, the presence of specific behavioural adaptation in Mustela sibirica.

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Research Article Fri, 6 Dec 2019 08:49:39 +0200
24th International Conference on Subterranean Biology https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/30244/ Subterranean Biology 27: 75-77

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.27.30244

Authors: Ana Sofia P. S. Reboleira, Fernando J.M. Gonçalves

Abstract: The 24thedition of the biennial Conference on Subterranean Biology was held on the campus of the University of Aveiro in Portugal from 20th to 24thAugust, following the previous edition held in USA (Culver, 2016). These conferences are organized under the auspices of the International Society for Subterranean Biology, founded in 1979. It was the first meeting held in Portugal and in the Iberian Peninsula.

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Forum Paper Wed, 31 Oct 2018 09:12:02 +0200
A new genus for Cirolana troglexuma Botosaneanu & Iliffe, 1997, an anchialine cave dwelling cirolanid isopod (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cirolanidae) from the Bahamas https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/11181/ Subterranean Biology 21: 57-92

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.21.11181

Authors: Niel L. Bruce, Saskia Brix, Nicholas Balfour, Terue C. Kihara, Alexander M. Weigand, Sevag Mehterian, Thomas M. Iliffe

Abstract: Cirolana troglexuma Botosaneanu & Iliffe, 1997 is redescribed and a Lucayalana Bruce & Brix, gen. n. established for the species. In total 38 specimens were collected from Hatchet Bay Cave, Eleuthera. Specimens on which previous records of L. troglexuma (from Exuma Cays, Cat Island, and Eleuthera) were based have been re-examined when possible. The diagnostic identifying characters and purported apomorphies for Lucayalana gen. n. are: frontal lamina short, narrow, less than 7% width of labrum, not extending to anterior margin of head; pleonite 3 extending posteriorly to posterior of pleonite 5, laterally overlapping pleonites 4 and 5; ventrally broad, forming a strong ventrally directed blade; pereopods 1–3 merus inferior margin RS not molariform. Mitochondrial COI and 16S loci and the nuclear 18S locus data show that all specimens are the one species. Comparison to additional cirolanid COI sequence data (BOLD, GenBank) show that Lucayalana troglexuma is genetically distinct to all other cirolanid genera with available COI sequences. The single male and females have shared COI (with three females), 16S (eight females) and 18S sequences (two females).

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Research Article Wed, 8 Feb 2017 11:46:36 +0200
Linking spatial scale dependence of land-use descriptors and invertebrate cave community composition https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/8335/ Subterranean Biology 18: 17-38

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.18.8335

Authors: Thais Pellegrini, Lilian Patrícia Sales, Polyanne Aguiar, Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira

Abstract: Patterns of biodiversity respond to habitat disturbances and different land-uses. Those patterns possibly vary according to the spatial scale under analysis. Although other studies have shown such responses for different systems, no study has ever demonstrated spatial-scale influences in subterranean terrestrial communities. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to analyze how land use and cave physical structure could influence the terrestrial cave invertebrate species composition. We also determined the influence of different spatial scale on the structure of invertebrate cave composition. We collected environmental data at local scale (e.g. cave size, substrate and environmental stability). For spatial scale we determined land uses at three different landscape scales; we gathered these data into circular areas of different sizes (50, 100 and 250 meters) with centroids in the cave entrances. We finally performed three Distance Based Linear Modeling analyses to test for differences among the predictability of environmental variables when comparing different spatial scales. The best explanatory variable for cave invertebrate similarities was the percentage of covering of the external environment by limestone outcrops. We confirm the scale-dependence hypothesis through the different patterns showed among distinct buffer areas. Models become more precise when larger scales were analyzed to explain cave invertebrate composition. This suggests that larger scales capture important environmental features that explain the cave fauna similarities more precisely. Additionally, we found a strong influence of limestone outcrops at all landscape scale structuring cave communities.

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Review Article Fri, 3 Jun 2016 13:57:51 +0300
Biodiversity and biogeography of groundwater invertebrates in Queensland, Australia https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/7542/ Subterranean Biology 17: 55-76

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.17.7542

Authors: Katharine Glanville, Cameron Schulz, Moya Tomlinson, Don Butler

Abstract: Groundwater systems, traditionally considered lifeless conduits of water (Hancock and Boulton 2008, Schulz et al. 2013), are now known to provide critical habitat for a diverse range of fauna collectively called stygofauna. Stygofauna communities can have significant conservation value as exemplified by relatively high levels of endemism and biodiversity. Despite this the biogeography and taxonomic diversity of stygofauna communities largely remains undocumented. This paper describes the development and interrogation of a state-wide database of 755 samples from 582 sites, and reviews the current knowledge of stygofauna biodiversity and biogeography across Queensland (north-eastern Australia). Queensland is known to host 24 described families of stygofauna with stygofauna composition broadly consistent with other regions around the world. However Queensland assemblages tend to be unusually rich in both oligochaetes (16% cf. 2%) and syncarids (12% cf. 4%). Associations between stygofauna taxonomic richness and key environmental variables were consistent with many general assumptions of habitat suitability. However there were also notable exceptions, including stygofauna records from: groundwater 60 meters below ground level; groundwater with electrical conductivity above 50,000 μS/cm, and; both highly acidic (pH 3.5) and alkaline (pH 10.3) environments. These exceptions clearly demonstrate that strict adherence to general assumptions about habitat suitability when planning sampling activities may mask the true diversity of groundwater ecosystems.

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Research Article Tue, 15 Mar 2016 14:01:08 +0200
Distribution and conservation status of Speleonycta ozarkensis (Insecta, Zygentoma, Nicoletiidae) from caves of the Ozark Highlands of Arkansas and Oklahoma, USA https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/4105/ Subterranean Biology 14: 51-62

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.14.8275

Authors: Luis Espinasa, Monika Espinasa, Dante B. Fenolio, Michael E. Slay, Matthew Niemiller

Abstract: The “thysanuran” (Zygentoma: Nicoletiidae) Speleonycta ozarkensis is the only troglobiotic nicoletiid from the Ozark Highlands. It was originally described with only four specimens from four different cave systems in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The scarcity of available specimens has made it difficult to determine whether morphological variation among populations represents intraspecific or interspecific variation. We examined molecular (16S rRNA) variation among populations and found no evidence that they represent a species complex. Because of its limited distribution and lack of ecological and life history data, S. ozarkensis may be a species of conservation concern. We therefore conducted a conservation status assessment. We bioinventoried 44 caves in Arkansas and Oklahoma to determine the distribution of S. ozarkensis. A new locality in Adair Co., Oklahoma, was discovered and new specimens were collected to better assess morphological variation among populations. Data on ecology and life history was gathered. We determined the conservation status of the species and identified potential threats to existing populations. Despite being known from a few localities, S. ozarkensis has a broad distribution approaching 10,000 km2. Molecular data suggest S. ozarkensis is capable of considerable dispersal and is primarily an epikarstic species, perhaps explaining why it has been infrequently collected from caves. Conservation assessments revealed that S. ozarkensis is at a slight risk of extinction. We identified seven threats impacting populations that vary in scope and severity, but only recreational caving (three caves) and development associated with urbanization (one cave) have the greatest potential to immediately impact populations.

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Research Article Wed, 24 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0300
Population size and dispersal patterns for a Drimeotus (Coleoptera, Leiodidae, Leptodirini) cave population https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/1308/ Subterranean Biology 11: 31-44

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.11.4974

Authors: Akos Fejér, Oana Moldovan

Abstract: Drimeotus viehmanni (Coleoptera, Leiodidae) is abundant in the cave Peştera cu Apă din Valea Leşului (Western Carpathians) and was chosen for a mark-release-resight experiment. The aims of the experiment were to estimate the size of the population and to analyze the dispersal patterns inside the cave, for conservation purposes. During the three years’ study, the observed abundance of D. viehmanni was significantly higher in summer compared to the winter season. The seasonal dynamics can not be explained by climate features such as temperature and air relative humidity which had low or no variation during all seasons. Few marked beetles were re-seen during the mark-resight experiment proving the existence of an important cave/subterranean population, which was estimated between 5,084 and 533,033 individuals. The marked individuals moved between neighbouring patches on a distance of 10 m over the same amount of time as on distances longer than 200 m. Dispersal inside the cave occurs during the winter months, which indicates non-continuous behaviour triggered by environmental features and involving only a negligible part of the population in the studied cave.

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Research Article Fri, 12 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0300