Abstract
Decapod crustaceans are important components of the fauna of marine caves worldwide, yet information on their ecology is still scarce. Mediterranean marine caves are perhaps the best known of the world and may offer paradigms to the students of marine cave decapods from other geographic regions. This review summarizes and updates the existing knowledge about the decapod fauna of Mediterranean marine caves on the basis of a dataset of 76 species from 133 caves in 13 Mediterranean countries. Most species were found occasionally, while 15 species were comparatively frequent (found in at least seven caves). They comprise cryptobiotic and bathyphilic species that only secondarily colonize caves (secondary stygobiosis). Little is known about the population biology of cave decapods, and quantitative data are virtually lacking. The knowledge on Mediterranean marine cave decapods is far from being complete. Future research should focus on filling regional gaps and on the decapod ecological role: getting out at night to feed and resting in caves during daytime, decapods may import organic matter to the cave ecosystem. Some decapod species occurring in caves are protected by law. Ecological interest and the need for conservation initiatives combine to claim for intensifying research on the decapod fauna of the Mediterranean Sea caves.
Highlights
Published: 27 February 2022Members of order Decapoda are among the crustaceans most familiar to the general public and include species of commercial interest for fisheries, such as lobsters, shrimps and prawns [1]
Crustacean decapods are one of the most important groups—in terms of both species richness and ecological roles [3]—in the marine realm, where they occur from the upper intertidal zone to hadal depths [4], with several species adapted to extreme environments, such as hydrothermal vents and cold seeps [5]
Marine caves are another example of an extreme environment [6] that hosts a rich decapod fauna [7–9]
Summary
Members of order Decapoda are among the crustaceans most familiar to the general public and include species of commercial interest for fisheries, such as lobsters, shrimps and prawns [1]. Mediterranean marineincorporates caves on the basis of a dataset assembled within the frame or grey of literature; unpublished observations by the authors in marine the caves of Greece and a broader initiative aiming at cataloguing and assessing biodiversity of. A thorough ecological analysis has studiedbeen since the 1970s [16–18] and where the distribution of decapod species within the possible for the Grotta Marina di Bergeggi (NW Italy), which has been extensively cave can be compared with[16–18]. Anchialine caves, which contain water bodies of marine origin but cave can be compared with the available topographic information and environmental have reduced or no connection with the sea [21]. Anchialine caves, which contain water bodies of marine origin not covered by this review: Mediterranean anchialine caves are still too little studied for have reduced or no connection with the sea [21] and harbour a distinctive fauna [22], are not[23]. Covered by this review: Mediterranean anchialine caves are still too little studied for decapods decapods [23]
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