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Trevelin LC, Simões MH, Prous X, Pietrobon T, Brandi IV, Jaffé R. Optimizing speleological monitoring efforts: insights from long-term data for tropical iron caves. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11271. [PMID: 33959423 PMCID: PMC8054738 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the factors underpinning species abundance patterns in space and time is essential to implement effective cave conservation actions. Yet, the methods employed to monitor cave biodiversity still lack standardization, and no quantitative assessment has yet tried to optimize the amount and type of information required to efficiently identify disturbances in cave ecosystems. Using a comprehensive monitoring dataset for tropical iron caves, comprising abundance measurements for 33 target taxa surveyed across 95 caves along four years, here we provide the first evidence-based recommendations to optimize monitoring programs seeking to follow target species abundance through time. We found that seasonality did not influence the ability to detect temporal abundance trends. However, in most species, abundance estimates assessed during the dry season resulted in a more accurate detection of temporal abundance trends, and at least three surveys were required to identify global temporal abundance trends. Finally, we identified a subset of species that could potentially serve as short-term disturbance indicators. Results suggest that iron cave monitoring programs implemented in our study region could focus sampling efforts in the dry season, where detectability of target species is higher, while assuring data collection for at least three years. More generally, our study reveals the importance of long-term cave monitoring programs for detecting possible disturbances in subterranean ecosystems, and for using the generated information to optimize future monitoring efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xavier Prous
- Environmental Licensing and Speleology, Vale S.A., Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thadeu Pietrobon
- Environmental Licensing and Speleology, Vale S.A., Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Iuri Viana Brandi
- Environmental Licensing and Speleology, Vale S.A., Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Jaffé
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Instituto Tecnológico Vale, Belém, Pará, Brazil
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2
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Bernardi LFDO, Zampaulo RDA, Oliveira MPAD. A new species of Neocarus (Opilioacaridae) from a Brazilian ferruginous geosystem and notes on natural history. SUBTERRANEAN BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.36.54034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A new species ofNeocarusis described from adult female and male specimens collected from an epigean and hypogean ferruginous geosystem located in southeast Brazil. The new species,Neocarus simmonsisp. nov., possesses 15–17ch-type palp setae, nude female pregenital Sternitogenital region, cylindrical ovipositor without setae, and a peculiar variation of setae in the genital and pregenital Sternitogenital region of the male, with smooth and tapering setae and/or barbed and tapering setae and/or stout and ribbed setae. Female genital setae are barbed, tapering and with a thin tip. Aspects of the ecology and life history of these mites are also presented.
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Lunghi E, Corti C, Mulargia M, Zhao Y, Manenti R, Ficetola GF, Veith M. Cave morphology, microclimate and abundance of five cave predators from the Monte Albo (Sardinia, Italy). Biodivers Data J 2020; 8:e48623. [PMID: 32076380 PMCID: PMC7010837 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.8.e48623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Systematic data collection on species and their exploited environments is of key importance for conservation studies. Within the less-known environments, the subterranean ones are neither easy to be studied, nor to be explored. Subterranean environments house a wide number of specialised organisms, many of which show high sensitivity to habitat alteration. Despite the undeniable importance to monitor the status of the subterranean biodiversity, standardised methodologies to record biotic and abiotic data in these environments are still not fully adopted, impeding therefore the creation of comparable datasets useful for monitoring the ecological condition in the subterranean environments and for conservation assessment of related species. New information In this work we describe a methodology allowing the collection of standardised abiotic and biotic data in subterranean environments. To show this, we created a large dataset including information on environmental features (morphology and microclimate) and abundance of five predators (one salamander, three spiders and one snail) occurring in seven caves of the Monte Albo (Sardinia, Italy), an important biodiversity hotspot. We performed 77 surveys on 5,748 m2 of subterranean environments througout a year, recording 1,695 observations of the five cave predators. The fine-scale data collection adopted in our methodology allowed us to record detailed information related to both morphology and microclimate of the cave inner environment. Furthermore, this method allows us to account for species-imperfect detection when recording presence/abundance data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Lunghi
- Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università degli Studi di Firenze, "La Specola", Firenze, Italy Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università degli Studi di Firenze, "La Specola" Firenze Italy.,Universität Trier Fachbereich VI Raum-und Umweltwissenschaften Biogeographie, Trier, Germany Universität Trier Fachbereich VI Raum-und Umweltwissenschaften Biogeographie Trier Germany
| | - Claudia Corti
- Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università degli Studi di Firenze, "La Specola", Firenze, Italy Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università degli Studi di Firenze, "La Specola" Firenze Italy
| | - Manuela Mulargia
- CEAS Santa Lucia, Siniscola, Italy CEAS Santa Lucia Siniscola Italy
| | - Yahui Zhao
- Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Raoul Manenti
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano Milano Italy
| | - Gentile Francesco Ficetola
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano Milano Italy.,Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS,, Grenoble, France Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble France.,LECA, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine, Grenoble, France LECA, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine Grenoble France.,Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Annecy, France Université Savoie Mont Blanc Annecy France
| | - Michael Veith
- Universität Trier Fachbereich VI Raum-und Umweltwissenschaften Biogeographie, Trier, Germany Universität Trier Fachbereich VI Raum-und Umweltwissenschaften Biogeographie Trier Germany
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4
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Lunghi E. Ecology and life history of Meta bourneti (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) from Monte Albo (Sardinia, Italy). PeerJ 2018; 6:e6049. [PMID: 30519514 PMCID: PMC6275118 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The orb-weaver spider Meta bourneti Simon 1922 (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) is one of the most common cave predators occurring in the Mediterranean basin. Although the congeneric M. menardi represented the model species in several studies, our knowledge of M. bourneti is only founded on observations performed on a handful of populations. In this study M. bourneti spiders were studied in caves of Monte Albo (Sardinia, Italy) over a year. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used to analyze spider occupancy inside cave environments, as well as spider abundance. Analyses on M. bourneti occupancy and abundance were also repeated for adults and juveniles separately. Generalized Linear Models, were used to weight species absence based on its detection probability. Linear Mixed Models were used to detect possible divergences in subterranean spatial use between adult and juvenile spiders. Although widespread on the mountain, M. bourneti generally showed low density and low detection probability. Most of the individuals observed were juveniles. The spiders generally occupied cave sectors with high ceilings that were deep enough to show particular microclimatic features. Adults tended to occupy less illuminated areas than juveniles, while the latter were more frequently found in sectors showing high humidity. The abundance of M. bourneti was strongly related to high humidity and the presence of two troglophile species, Hydromantes flavus Wake, Salvador & Alonso-Zarazaga, 2005 (Amphibia: Caudata) and Oxychilus oppressus (Shuttleworth, 1877) (Gastropoda: Panpulmonata). The abundance of juveniles was related to sector temperature and humidity, the presence of H. flavus and O. oppressus and to morphological sector features. However, when only adults were considered, no significant relationships were found. Adult and juvenile spiders did not differ in their spatial distribution inside the caves studied, but a seasonal distribution of the species along cave walls was observed. Microclimate was one of the most important features affecting both the presence and abundance of M. bourneti in subterranean environments. Individuals tended to occupy lower heights during hot seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Lunghi
- Department of Biogeography, Trier University, Trier, Germany.,Sezione di Zoologia "La Specola", Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy.,Natural Oasis, Prato, Prato, Italy
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5
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Lunghi E, Guillaume O, Blaimont P, Manenti R. The first ecological study on the oldest allochthonous population of European cave salamanders (Hydromantes sp.). AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2018. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00003137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The introduction of allochthonous species often represents a serious problem for ecosystems and native species. Usually, these cases involve common widespread species that show high adaptability and strong competitiveness against local species. Within amphibians, the introduction of allochthonous species mainly deals with anurans, while cases involving caudata are few and poorly studied. We report the first assessment of an introduced population of European plethodontid salamanders. This population is located in the French Pyrenees and represents the oldest allochthonous Hydromantes population. We reconstructed the history of its introduction and collected data on the ecology and feeding habits of this population. Our results show that this population is stable and reproductive, showing strong similarities to Italian mainland species of Hydromantes. This study provided the base for further studies focused on this allochthonous population of European cave salamanders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Lunghi
- Universität Trier Fachbereich VI Raum-und Umweltwissenschaften Biogeographie, Universitätsring 15, 54286 Trier, Germany
- Natural Oasis, Via di Galceti 141, 59100 Prato, Italy
- Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Università di Firenze, Sezione di Zoologia “La Specola”, Via Romana 17, 50125 Firenze, Italy
| | - Olivier Guillaume
- Station d’Ecologie Expérimentale du CNRS 2, route du CNRS, 09200 Moulis, France
| | - Pauline Blaimont
- University of California, Santa Cruz 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
| | - Raoul Manenti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
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6
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Mammola S, Piano E, Giachino PM, Isaia M. An ecological survey of the invertebrate community at the epigean/hypogean interface. SUBTERRANEAN BIOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.24.21585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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7
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Coutinho-Silva RD, Montes MA, Oliveira GF, de Carvalho-Neto FG, Rohde C, Garcia ACL. Effects of seasonality on drosophilids (Insecta, Diptera) in the northern part of the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2017; 107:634-644. [PMID: 28249637 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485317000190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Seasonality is an important aspect associated with population dynamic and structure of tropical insect assemblages. This study evaluated the effects of seasonality on abundance, richness, diversity and composition of an insect group, drosophilids, including species native to the Neotropical region and exotic ones. Three preserved fragments of the northern Atlantic Forest were surveyed, where temperatures are above 20 °C throughout the year and rainfall regimes define two seasons (dry and rainy). As opposed to other studies about arthropods in tropical regions, we observed that abundance of drosophilids was significantly higher in the dry season, possibly due to biological aspects and the colonization strategy adopted by the exotic species in these environments. Contrarily to abundance, we did not observe a seasonal pattern for richness. As for other parts of the Atlantic Forest, the most representative Neotropical species (Drosophila willistoni, D. sturtevanti, D. paulistorum and D. prosaltans) were significantly more abundant in the rainy season. Among the most abundant exotic species, D. malerkotliana, Zaprionus indianus and Scaptodrosophila latifasciaeformis were more importantly represented the dry season, while D. simulans was more abundant in the rainy period. The seasonality patterns exhibited by the most abundant species were compared to findings published in other studies. Our results indicate that exotic species were significantly more abundant in the dry season, while native ones exhibited an opposite pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- R D Coutinho-Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular Aplicada,Universidade de Pernambuco,Recife, PE,Brazil
| | - M A Montes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia,Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco,Recife, PE,Brazil
| | - G F Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal,Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul,Porto Alegre, RS,Brazil
| | - F G de Carvalho-Neto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética,Universidade Federal de Pernambuco,Recife, PE,Brazil
| | - C Rohde
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular Aplicada,Universidade de Pernambuco,Recife, PE,Brazil
| | - A C L Garcia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Humana e Meio Ambiente,Universidade Federal de Pernambuco,Vitória de Santo Antão, PE,Brazil
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8
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Lunghi E, Manenti R, Ficetola GF. Cave features, seasonality and subterranean distribution of non-obligate cave dwellers. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3169. [PMID: 28503370 PMCID: PMC5428323 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonality impacts species distributions through changes of the environmental conditions that affect the presence of individuals at a given place. Although the dynamics of cave microclimates are well known, only a few studies have evaluated the effects of such dynamics on non-strictly cave species. Here we assessed if species exploiting subterranean environments show changes in habitat occupation related to seasonal variation of cave microclimates. We surveyed 16 caves in central Italy every month for one year. Caves were subdivided into longitudinal sectors of three meters. In each sector we measured cave morphology and microclimatic features, assessed the occurrence of eight non-troglobitic taxa (orthopterans, spiders, gastropods and amphibians), and related species distribution to environmental features and sampling periods. The occurrence of most species was related to both cave morphology and microclimatic features. The survey month was the major factor determining the presence of species in cave sectors, indicating that cave-dwelling taxa show strong seasonality in activity and distribution. For multiple species, we detected interactions between sampling period and microclimatic features, suggesting that species may associate with different microhabitats throughout the year. The richest communities were found in sites with specific microclimates (i.e., high humidity, warm temperature and low light) but seasonality for species richness was strong as well, stressing the complexity of interactions between outdoor and subterranean environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Lunghi
- Department of Biogeography, Universität Trier Fachbereich VI: Raum-und Umweltwissenschaften, Trier, Germany.,Museum of Natural History of Florence-Zoology Section ("La Specola"), University of Florence, Firenze, Italy.,Natural Oasis, Prato, Prato, Italy
| | - Raoul Manenti
- Departement of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Gentile Francesco Ficetola
- Departement of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.,Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine (LECA), Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France.,LECA, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Grenoble, France
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9
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Pellegrini TG, Ferreira RL. Are inner cave communities more stable than entrance communities in Lapa Nova show cave? SUBTERRANEAN BIOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.20.9334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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10
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Mammola S, Piano E, Isaia M. Step back! Niche dynamics in cave-dwelling predators. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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