Subterranean fauna

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The olm (Proteus anguinus), a typical cave dwelling chordate, endemic of Dinaric Alps

Subterranean fauna refers to

gours
, etc.).

Environment

Subterranean fauna is found worldwide and includes representatives of many

animal groups, mostly arthropods and other invertebrates. However, there is a number of vertebrates (such as cavefishes and cave salamanders
), although they are less common. Because of the complexity in exploring underground environments, many subterranean species are yet to be discovered and described.

Peculiarities of underground habitat make it an

Food sources are limited and localized. The lack of sunlight inhibits photosynthetic processes, so food comes only from epigean environment (through percolating water, gravity, or passive transport by animals). An exception are caves like the Movile Cave, where chemosynthesis forms the foundation of the food chain. Caves that are close to the surface, such as lava tubes, often have tree roots hanging from the cave roof, which provide nutrients for sap-feeding insects.[1][2] Other important food sources in underground habitats are animals being decomposed and bat guano,[3][4][5] that creates large invertebrate communities in such caves.[6][7]

Ecological classification

Cave dwelling animals show different levels of adaptations to underground environment. According to a recent classification, animals living in terrestrial subterranean habitats can be classified into 3 categories, based on their ecology:

  • troglobionts
     (or troglobites): species strongly bound to subterranean habitats;
  • troglophiles: species living both in subterranean and in epigean habitats. Troglophiles are also divided in eutroglophiles (epigean species able to maintain a permanent subterranean population) and subtroglophiles (species inclined to perpetually or temporarily inhabit a subterranean habitat, but intimately associated with epigean habitats for some functions
    );
  • trogloxenes: species only occurring sporadically in a hypogean habitat and unable to establish a subterranean population.[8]

Regarding stygofauna, the corresponding words stygobionts (or stygobites), stygophiles and stygoxenes are used.

Biology

Leptodirus hochenwartii (family Leiodidae
)

Characteristics of underground environment caused cave dwelling animals to evolve a number of

Leptodirus hochenwartii[11]
).

Physiological adaptations include slow

reproduce late in their lifespan, and produce fewer and bigger eggs.[3][4][12]

Evolution and ecology

Subterranean fauna have evolved in isolation.

fluvial barriers, such as rivers and streams, prevent or hinder the dispersal of these animals.[14]
Consequently, subterranean fauna habitat and food availability can be very disjunct and precludes the great range of observed diversity across landscapes.

Threats to subterranean fauna

Floodwaters can be detrimental to subterranean species, by dramatically changing the availability of habitat, food and connectivity to other habitats and oxygen. Many subterranean fauna are likely to be sensitive to changes in their environment and floods, which can accompany a drop in temperature, may adversely affect some animals.[15]

Humans also pose a threat to troglofauna. Mismanagement of contaminants (e.g. pesticides and sewage) may poison subterranean fauna communities[13] and removal of habitat (e.g. rising/lowering of the watertable or various forms of mining) can also be a major threat.

See also

References

  1. ^ The weird creatures inhabiting the lava tubes of Hawaii
  2. ^ Identifying tree roots in the caves of Quintana Roo, Mexico as a step toward ecological insights and improved conservation
  3. ^ a b c Stoch, Fabio (2001). Caves and karstic phenomena. Life in subterranean world (PDF). Italian Habitats. Udine, Italy: Italian Ministry of the Environment and Territory Protection and Friuli Museum of Natural History. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
  4. ^
    OCLC 776633368
    .
  5. ^
    OCLC 248538645
    .
  6. ISSN 1970-9528
    .
  7. ISSN 0394-6975
    .
  8. S2CID 84499383
    .
  9. S2CID 85141007
    .
  10. OCLC 893738507
    .
  11. ^ Marco, Lucarelli; Valerio, Sbordoni (1977). "Humidity responses and the role of Hamann's organ of cavernicolous Bathysciinae (Coleoptera Catopidae)". International Journal of Speleology. 9: 167–177.
  12. ISBN 978-90-481-4320-7
    .
  13. ^
    National Geographic. Archived from the original
    on May 1, 2008.
  14. PMID 17791021
    .
  15. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies
    . 66 (1): 18–19.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Subterranean_fauna&oldid=1216640964"