Abstract
The different characteristics of three lava tubes in Tenerife, Canary Islands, are analysed. Cueva del Viento-Sobrado, Cueva de Felipe Reventon and Cueva de los Roques were formed by an eruption of Pico Viejo volcano 27,000 years ago. Geological features of this basaltic lava flow and special topographic aspects of its caves are explained. Ecological traits of lava tubes in general are considered, noting the importance for the cave-dwelling animal community of the plant roots that reach them. The present successional state and conservation status of the three lava tubes are also discussed. Two of the caves are among the world’s richest caves in troglobionts and are the most diverse of known volcanic caves. A list of the 50 troglobiont species found in these caves is provided, with information on their taxonomy and trophic roles and the existence of related epigean species. Finally, the possible alternative hypotheses for the origin of the troglobionts of Tenerife are commented.
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