Abstract
Abstract: Limiting factors of subterranean environments, high relative air humidity and, especially, permanent darkness, represent ecological filters for organisms and biodiversity patterns of surface and subterranean communities display wide disparities. Subterranean diversity and singularity are, thus, better expressed when the common presence of rare and endemic species are considered. Our study aimed to describe the diversity of the cave fauna from 14 caves from Peruaçu Caves National Park (PCNP), eastern Brazil. We analyzed the regional diversity using the index that includes the average taxonomic distinction (TD - Δ +, AvTD). We recorded 1,674 individuals belonging to 10 Classes and 237 morphotypes, 11 troglobitic and two troglomorphic and possible troglobites. Greatest species abundance (N=330) and richness (s=76) were recorded at Lapa do Cipó cave, followed by Gruta Olhos d’Água (N=330, s=71), which shows the highest TD value (Δ + = 90.18) in relation to the others, including the richest Lapa do Cipó (Δ + = 85.24), consequence of the several taxonomic units with large number of species. The below-expected values of TD (Δ + = 87.70) may indicate anthropic impacts on these communities. Our results demonstrate that Gruta Olhos d’ Água and Lapa do Cipó caves are the most important sites for the occurrence of endemic and troglobitic species and may be part of a complex system that should be considered for a more efficient conservation planning.
Highlights
Subterranean or hypogean environments have striking features which represent environmental filters, because selective regimen contrasts sharply with those of surface environments
Some species only live at subterranean environments (Racovitza 1907), not being able to colonise surface environments anymore, because they evolved isolated at subterranean environments and, during this period, accumulated specialisations that hampers survival or reproduction in surface environments
We investigated the biodiversity of caves located at Peruaçu Caves National Park (PCNP), northern state of Minas Gerais, taking into account the number of species, but its identity as well
Summary
Subterranean or hypogean environments have striking features which represent environmental filters, because selective regimen contrasts sharply with those of surface environments. Little variation occurs in parameters such temperature and air humidity, due to the isolation caused by the surrounding rock (Juberthie 2000, Culver & Pipan 2009) Such contrasts between subterranean and superficial environments are related to processes of colonisation and reproductive isolation of subterranean species (Trajano 2012). Subterranean communities are formed by populations which present distinct ecological-evolutionary relationships with the environment and, may be classified at three categories (Racovitza 1907, Trajano 2012), according to its degree of specialisation to the subterranean realm: trogloxenes are those who need to leave the cave periodically in order to complete its life cycle because subterranean resources are insufficient (Racovitza 1907) Troglophiles are those capable of completing its life cycle inside as well as outside subterranean environments. This classification has been extended and discussed by Trajano and Cobolli (2012) to include source-population concept and, population characteristics has been included for recognizing the troglobitic status of a given species
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