Gruta De Research Articles

Collecting empires: Dominik Bilimek and early subterranean zoology between politics and field research

The Moravian Cistercian monk and collector Dominik Bilimek (1813–1884) is considered one of the earliest European naturalists to conduct zoological research on subterranean fauna in Latin America. During the second French invasion of Mexico, from 1861 to 1867, he accompanied Maximilian of Habsburg, the newly enthroned emperor of Mexico, to the region. There, he explored the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa near Taxco de Alarcón, comparing its fauna to his earlier discoveries in Postojnska jama in Carniola (Slovenia). After the victory of the Mexican republican forces and Maximilian’s execution, Bilimek retained his role as curator of the emperor’s collections, which he took back with him to Europe and exhibited at Miramare Castle near Trieste. Prior to his Mexican venture, Bilimek had embraced the imperial goals and intellectual agendas of the Viennese central administration while teaching at the monarchy’s military institutes. Following the revolutions of 1848/49, extensive research undertakings—including geoscientific, biological, and archaeological surveys—were initiated to preserve the Habsburg monarchy as a supranational entity amidst internal and external crises, and to legitimize its territorial framework as both a natural and cultural unit. These developments coincided with the initial surge of zoological interest in Carniolan caves, which spurred efforts to gather similar findings in other karst regions of the monarchy. Drawing on historical sources, this article explores the intersection of political concepts and fieldwork practices in the early study of cave biology. Special attention is given to the sites, networks, and modes of collecting during this transformative period.

Tres representaciones de Arte y Geología en el reinado de Carlos III: el Vesubio, la mina de Gualgayoc y la Gruta de Posillipo

During the reign of Charles III, the search for information about the different places in his kingdom was constant. The compilation of images culminated, on many occasions, in the commission of artistic objects that were not only limited to the decoration of rooms, but also had the function of transmitting information to their observers. This occurred within the spirit of the Enlightenment, so this information was, in many cases, not easily available the observers. Sometimes the artists in charge of their representation would not have first-hand access to these natural phenomena or landscapes, so they would have to make use of images made by others in order to carry out their commissions. This is the case of the paintings Vista de la erupción del Vesubio by A. Carnicero, Quadro de Historia Civil y Geográfica del Reyno del Perú by J.I. Lequanda and L. Thiebaut and La gruta de Posillipo en Nápoles by the Real Laboratorio de Piedras Duras del Buen Retiro. The three works analyzed in this work, and belonging to Madrid collections, show the interest that geological nature aroused in various artists of the time.

Airborne bacteria in show caves from Southern Spain.

This work presents a study on the airborne bacteria recorded in three Andalusian show caves, subjected to different managements. The main differences within the caves were the absence of lighting and phototrophic biofilms in Cueva de Ardales, the periodic maintenance and low occurrence of phototrophic biofilms in Gruta de las Maravillas, and the abundance of phototrophic biofilms in speleothems and walls in Cueva del Tesoro. These factors conditioned the diversity of bacteria in the caves and therefore there are large differences among the CFU m-3, determined using a suction impact collector, equipment widely used in aerobiological studies. The study of the bacterial diversity, inside and outside the caves, indicates that the air is mostly populated by bacteria thriving in the subterranean environment. In addition, the diversity seems to be related with the presence of abundant phototrophic biofilms, but not with the number of visitors received by each cave.

The Big Naked-backed Bat, Pteronotus gymnonotus, Chiroptera, Mormoopidae, in its northernmost geographic distribution range

The Big Naked-backed Bat, Pteronotus gymnonotus, is one of the 15 species currently recognized of this genus, with relatively few specimens in scientific collections, besides being poorly studied. It has a geographical distribution spanning from México through Central America and reaching Perú and Brazil, in which it occupies a variety of habitats from desert to tropical forests below 400 meters above sea level. Here, we report the records that demonstrate its presence, and data about its natural history in southeastern México, the northernmost part of its geographic distribution range. Between June 2002 and July 2018, we captured specimens in 44 bat roosts located in southeastern México, including the Parque Estatal Agua Blanca, Macuspana, Tabasco; Grutas de Martínez de la Torre, Matías Romero Avendaño, Oaxaca; and in Cueva de Villa Luz, Tapijulapa, Tabasco. In the three locations mentioned, we recorded the occurrence of P. gymnonotus individuals, whose taxonomic identification at species level was corroborated by both morphological data and genetic analyses. Previously, the only records of P. gymnonotus in México were from only four specimens scattered across time, so these new recorded locations confirm the presence of this species in the country. In addition to this, in Agua Blanca State Park and Villa Luz Cave we found a reproductive resident population. The record from Grutas de Martínez de la Torre is located in the middle of the Tehuantepec Isthmus, a well known biogeographical barrier for many taxa in the transitional area to the Pacific lowland’s region. We suggest that the occurrence of P. gymnonotus in México is also associated with large remnants of evergreen and gallery forests, located in the lowland areas along the Gulf of México and in the north and east of the Tehuantepec Isthmus.

Paracoccus onubensis sp. nov., a novel alphaproteobacterium isolated from the wall of a show cave.

A novel facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, Gram-stain-negative, non-endospore-forming alphaproteobacterium, strain 1011MAR3C25T, was isolated from a white biofilm colonizing the walls of the Andalusian show cave Gruta de las Maravillas (Huelva, Spain). Strain 1011MAR3C25T grew at 8–42 °C (optimum, 20–30 °C), at pH 5.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 5.0–6.0) and in the presence of 0–12 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3–5 %). Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive. The strain grew heterotrophically with various carbon sources and chemoautotrophically with thiosulfate under aerobic conditions. Results of phylogenetic analysis showed that strain 1011MAR3C25T was related to Paracoccus saliphilus DSM 18447T and Paracoccus alkanivorans LMG 30882T (97.90 % and 97.32 % 16S rRNA sequence identity values, respectively). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10 and the predominant fatty acid was C18 : 1 ω7c. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified polar lipid. The DNA G+C content was 60.3 mol%. Based on a polyphasic taxonomic study it is proposed that strain 1011MAR3C25T (=CECT 9092T=LMG 29414T) represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus , for which the name Paracoccus onubensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Airborne Fungi in Show Caves from Southern Spain

The aerobiology of caves in Southern Spain possesses special characteristics, different from caves located in Northern Spain. Previous studies demonstrated the influence of outdoor air on caves in the north and the existence of two different patterns, depending on the season. In summer there is an abundance of Ascomycota, whereas in winter Basidiomycota predominates, which are related to the periods of stagnation and ventilation, respectively. In caves in Southern Spain the presence of airborne Basidiomycota is scarce and Ascomycota represents the main group of fungi widely distributed across the caves in all seasons. The most characteristic features were the abundant presence of entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana, Parengyodontium album, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Leptobacillium symbioticum, Leptobacillium leptobactrum) and Cladosporium cladosporioides in Cueva del Tesoro, Cueva de Ardales and Gruta de las Maravillas. However, the presence of yeasts of the genera Cutaneotrichosporon, Trichosporon, Cryptococcus, Naganishia, Cystobasidium, Microstroma and Phragmotaenium was exclusive to Gruta de las Maravillas. Fungal hazard in the three show caves were determined using an ecological indicator based on the concentration of spores in cave air.

An Update on the Feeding Preferences of the Dung Beetle Onthophagus moroni Zunino and Halffter (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from the Cuetzalan Caves, Puebla, Mexico

The Onthophagus brevifrons species complex (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Onthophagini) consists of the five species: Onthophagus cavernicollis Howden and Cartwright, Onthophagus subtropicus Howden and Cartwright, Onthophagus brevifrons Horn, Onthophagus cuevensis Howden and Onthophagus moroni Zunino and Halffter, all of which are strictly associated with underground habitats (caves or burrows) and are consequently considered troglobites. Nevertheless, the biology of Onthophagus Latreille species reported from caves is lacking. In this study, four grottoes in the Cuetzalan region were explored: Trompa de Elefante, El Fosil and El Nido del Murcielago (which belong to the poorly explored Gruta de Atepolihui), and the Tasalolpan cave, in the search for dung beetles. Onthophagus moroni was collected inside El Nido del Murcielago and Tasalolpan cave, representing a new record for El Nido del Murcielago, since its presence was previously recorded inside the Tasalolpan cave in 1988. Adults of O. moroni were collected alive 70 m inside the Tasalolpan cave, under a latrine of Peters' climbing rat, Tylomys nudicaudus (Peters) (Rodentia: Cricetidae). We redescribe the species, discuss its biogeography and provide an updated dichotomous key to enable the identification of the constituent species in the O. brevifrons species complex.

How to evaluate densification? Case study of Lourdes neighborhood, Santiago, Chile

Purpose This study aims to question the fact that density has been considered only as an instrument of calculation to be used on regulation mechanisms, without taking into consideration other variables related to density. The paper proposes a framework consisting of four determining factors for urban analysis that have to be considered before starting a densification process: connectivity and permeability of network, mixture of uses, relation to urban morphology and public spaces for each district. The methodological analysis was carried out for the case of the district of Gruta de Lourdes, Quinta Normal, located in northwest Santiago, which has started a densification process the recent years. Design/methodology/approach The present discussion aims to obtain objective parameters to determine if urban development allows livability and a balanced relationship with actual urban form and diversity. There appear to be four determining factors of urban analysis: connectivity and network permeability, the mixture of uses, public spaces and urban form development. The district of Gruta de Lourdes will be used to delve into these parameters to place the debate around density in objective terms. To look in depth at each of the criteria for evaluating densification processes, various methods were selected for quantifying the observed variables: to evaluate connectivity and integration of a neighborhood with the rest of the city, the spatial configuration analysis “Space Syntax” will be used; to evaluate mix of uses, mixed-use index, or ratio of non-residential use will be used; urban morphology, plot size, housing density (dw/ha), lot coverage and floor area ratio will be used; public spaces, the percentage dedicated to each of these in m2/inhab. Findings The results allow us to conclude that it is necessary to plan densification processes via an analysis that promotes connectivity, mixture of uses, urban morphology and the available public spaces to understand density as a multivariable phenomenon. In addition, we conclude that the case study district, Gruta de Lourdes, can withstand greater demand for housing as long as the context is taken into account. A possible option to asset the densification potential could be the “infill” strategy, which aims to be a type of intervention that does not change the structure of the neighborhood as new buildings are positioned among existing ones, maintaining the form of the streets and the structure of plot divisions. Originality/value The value of the paper is to contribute to the discussion on how to renovate central areas in Latin American cities looking at variables such as connectivity, mixture of uses, urban morphology and public spaces, which are directly related to density. Moreover, the paper contributes to discuss new ways to analyze and measure densification, toward planning a district’s renovation. In addition, the quantitative methodological approach to the densification processes gives a new understanding of how to determine density. Finally, the paper reveals an opportunity to rethink the inner city toward new approaches to renovation developments.

Tourism effects on the subterranean fauna in a Central American cave

Abstract Tourism activity affects the cave's physical environment in several ways, such as damaging speleothems, altering the cave structure for ease of access, and the shifting of cave microclimate. Nevertheless, it is less clear how the pressure of touristic activities affects the cave fauna. This study aimed to investigate the effects from tourism activities on the cave invertebrate fauna from Gruta de Lanquín Cave (Alta Verapaz, Guatemala). For this, quadrats were placed throughout the cave, where invertebrates were sampled and substrate features were measured. Results showed that the community structure differed among touristic and non‐touristic areas of the cave and the troglobitic species are structured differently than the rest of the invertebrate community in the cave. It was detected that the pathways designated for touristic use have different substrate features than their adjacent areas. In order to maintain the conservation of the invertebrate species, several management recommendations are provided, such as determining a well‐established walking path that avoids cave microhabitats and the maintenance of a supervised guided tour.

Vicente Blasco Ibáñez in the Gruta de Camões: A Spanish Novelist's Passage to Macau

This essay examines how Vicente Blasco Ibáñez's narrative "Viaje a Macao" in La vuelta al mundo de un novelista functions within the broader vindication of Spanish and Portuguese enterprises in East Asia that is a key subtext of the 1924 travelogue. If in the Philippines Blasco witnessed the vestiges of a lost empire, in Macau he observed with certain elation a continued presence as well as a potential for the reassertion of Iberian power in Asia. Retracing the story and the history that are woven together in the author's account of his visit to the Portuguese colony and literary pilgrimage to the Gruta de Camões, uncovers how, from a Republican and cosmopolitan perspective, Macau's past and present are configured in the text as a representation of Pan-Iberian modernity vis-à-vis the turbulent geopolitical context of the 1920s.

A new troglobitic species of Typhloroncus (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Ideoroncidae) from Guatemala.

Typhloroncus guatemalensis sp. n., found in Gruta de Lanquín, a limestone cave located in the municipality of Lanquín (Alta Verapaz, Guatemala), is described. It can be distinguished from the congeneric species mainly by the presence of lanceolate ventrodistal telotarsal setae on all legs; by the chelal teeth, which exhibit a varied morphology; by the number of trichobothria (30‒32); and by its measurements. Typhloroncus guatemalensis sp. n. represents the first record for the genus in Guatemala and is considered to be troglobitic.

O tombamento da Gruta de Angico: disputas da memória do cangaço no sertão nordestino

Este trabalho discute a cultura da memória contemporânea do cangaço, fenômeno de banditismo do nordeste brasileiro, atentando-se principalmente às rememorações e comemorações do cangaceiro Lampião, mais conhecido como o “Rei do Cangaço”. Busca-se entender, em particular, a historicidade das ações e representações relacionadas à “Gruta de Angico”, local onde os principais cangaceiros morreram e que depois transformou-se em local de culto ao cangaço. Para tanto, analisamos os acordos e conflitos em torno do processo de tombamento da Gruta ao longo da década de 1980, observando as variações do lugar da memória do cangaço na temporalidade nordestina, a fim de problematizar ditas identidades regionais.

A new species of stygobitic freshwater crab of the genus Rodriguezia Bott, 1969 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Trichodactylidae) from Tabasco, Mexico.

A new species of freshwater crab of the family Trichodactylidae, genus Rodriguezia Bott, 1969 is described from Grutas de Agua Blanca in southern Tabasco, Mexico. Rodriguezia is a genus endemic to northern Chiapas and southern Tabasco, distributed over a small area of 70 km. Rodriguezia adani n. sp., the third species of the genus, occurs north of its two congeners, being stygobitic with obvious adaptations to cave life. It can be distinguished from R. villalobosi, an epigean species, by the absence of eyes, lack of pigmentation and elongation of the pereiopods; and from R. mensabak by having less elongated pereiopods relative to carapace breadth, an extremely reduced ocular peduncle, and a smaller adult size.

New information on Melides stable isotopes

Abstract

In situ Raman characterization of minerals and degradation processes in a variety of cultural and geological heritage sites

We test the capabilities of in situ Raman spectroscopy for non-destructive analysis of degradation processes in invaluable masterpieces, as well as for the characterization of minerals and prehistoric rock-art in caves. To this end, we have studied the mechanism of decay suffered by the 15th-century limestone sculptures that decorate the retro-choir of Burgos Cathedral (N Spain). In situ Raman probe detected hydrated sulfate and nitrate minerals on the sculptures, which are responsible for the decay of the original limestone. In addition, in situ Raman analyses were performed on unique speleothems in El Soplao Cave (Cantabria, N Spain) and in the Gruta de las Maravillas (Aracena, SW Spain). Unusual cave minerals were detected in El Soplao Cave, such as hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), as well as ferromanganese oxides in the black biogenic speleothems recently discovered in this cavern. In the Gruta de las Maravillas, gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) was identified for the first time, as part of the oldest cave materials, so providing additional evidence of hypogenic mechanisms that occurred in this cave during earlier stages of its formation. Finally, we present preliminary analyses of several cave paintings in the renowned “Polychrome Hall” of Altamira Cave (Cantabria, N. Spain). Hematite (Fe2O3) is the most abundant mineral phase, which provides the characteristic ochre-reddish color to the Altamira bison and deer paintings. Thus, portable Raman spectroscopy is demonstrated to be an analytical technique compatible with preserving our cultural and natural heritage, since the analysis does not require physical contact between the Raman head and the analyzed items.

A new species of Endecous Saussure, 1878 (Orthoptera, Gryllidae) from northeast Brazil with the first X1X20 chromosomal sex system in Gryllidae.

In this paper we describe a new species of Luzarinae cricket collected from the cave "Gruta de Ubajara, municipality of Ubajara, State of Ceará, Brazil, highlighting phallic sclerites morphology and chromosome complement as diagnostic characters. We presented meiotic and mitotic characterization in order to define the karyotype with 2n = 12 + X1X2♂/12 + X1X1X2X2♀. This represents the first record of X1X20 chromosomal sex system in Gryllidae.

Integrated geophysical methods for studying the karst system of Gruta de las Maravillas (Aracena, Southwest Spain)

Abstract In this study we contrast the results of different geophysical methods in order to describe the karst system surrounding of the Gruta de las Maravillas cave (Aracena, Spain). A comprehensive study of the geophysical responses of the known cavity was carried out, after which several sections were studied to detect the karst architecture and cave continuity. To ensure precision, the inner 3D-topography of the cave was determined by classical geodetic techniques and a digital terrain model was performed with differential GPS. The microgravity method was used to obtain the residual gravity map of the entire study zone, whose minima could be related to caves. Then, the negative gravity anomalies were analyzed to plan several lines for implementing further geophysical methods: magnetic profiles (MP), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), induced polarization (IP), 2D seismic prospection (refraction tomography and reflection sections) and ground penetrating radar (GPR). The resulting models for each line explored were integrated with detailed geological maps to establish the unknown continuity of the caves. Finally, we discuss the suitability of each geophysical technique for cave detection in marble with sulfur host rock and propose the best procedures to constrain their geometries.

Confirmación de la distribución de Notiosorex crawfordi en Hidalgo, México.

We added four recent records from three new localities for the desert shrew Notiosorex crawfordi, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. The distribution commonly accepted for this shrew occupies the southern part of the United States of America, and the neighboring region of Northern Mexico (Baja California Norte and Sur, Sonora, Chihuahua, Colima, Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, Durango and Zacatecas). The records confirm the existence of the species in the state and extend its distribution until the municipality of Tetepango, 31 km to SW of the Grutas de Xoxafi and through the municipality of Tulancingo de Bravo, 75.8 km SE of the Grutas de Xoxafi, and 542 km south of the southernmost records recognized in Nuevo Leon. These records come to give certainty of the existence of this species in Hidalgo, since the scarce records and the great distance to the next known accepted locality (3 km SW Galeana, Nuevo Leon). The record most resent was obtained at 2001, and the scarce records made the presence of N. crawfordi in Hidalgo seem uncertain. The new records are located in areas in which developed different types of xeric scrublands, vegetation in which inhabits this shrew commonly. The existence of Notiosorex in Hidalgo will can pass unnoticed because this shrew is considered rare and difficult to capture.

Diversidad de helechos y licófitos en fragmentos de selva mediana subperennifolia del sur de Tabasco, México.

A pesar de que más del 90% del territorio de Tabasco se encuentra deforestado, se registraron 48 taxa de helechos y licófitos en unos pocos fragmentos de selva mediana subperennifolia en Tacotalpa. Estos corresponden a 43 especies, una variedad, una forma de helechos y tres especies de licófitos, agrupadas en 28 géneros y 17 familias. Esta riqueza, representa el 36% de los taxa, 57% de los géneros y 63% de las familias de la flora de helechos y licófitos de Tabasco. Se encontraron ocho nuevos registros para el estado siete helechos y un licófito). Estas adiciones incrementan la pteridoflora de Tabasco a 124 especies, una subespecie, seis variedades y dos formas. Los géneros con el mayor número de especies son Adiantum (5), Asplenium (5) y Thelypteris (4). En lo que respecta a la forma de vida, 22 especies y una forma son terrestres, siete especies y una variedad epífitas, 12 especies terrestres o epipétricas, dos especies epífitas o epipétricas y tres escandentes. La localidad con el mayor número de especies es La Pila (34), seguido por Tomás Garrido (23), Oxolotán (19) y Grutas de Kolem Chen (15). El mayor número de especies se observó en el interior de los fragmentos de selva mediana subperennifolia (45), seguida de los márgenes de los fragmentos de selva mediana subperennifolia (33) y la vegetación secundaria (17). Por otro lado, 14 especies se observaron exclusivamente en el interior de los fragmentos de selva mediana subperennifolia y una especie en los márgenes de los fragmentos de selva mediana subperennifolia. Además, 30 especies están presentes tanto en el interior como en los márgenes de los fragmentos de selva mediana subperennifolia y 14 especies en los tres tipos de vegetación. La riqueza de las especies evidencia la importancia de estos escasos fragmentos de selva mediana subperennifolia para la supervivencia de los helechos y licófitos en Tabasco.

A new species of extinct scops owl (Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae: Otus) from São Miguel Island (Azores Archipelago, North Atlantic Ocean).

The extinct São Miguel Scops Owl Otusfrutuosoi n. sp. is described from fossil bones found in Gruta de Água de Pau, a volcanic tube in São Miguel Island (Azores Archipelago, North Atlantic Ocean). It is the first extinct bird described from the Azores and, after the Madeiran Scops Owl (O. mauli Rando, Pieper, Alcover & Olson 2012a), the second extinct species of Strigiformes known in Macaronesia. The forelimb elements of the new taxon are shorter, the hindlimb elements are longer, and the pelvis is shorter and broader than in the Eurasian Scops Owl (O. scops Linnaeus). The new species differs from O. mauli in the smaller size of many of its bones, especially the ulna and tibiotarsus. Its measurements (estimated weight, wing area, and wing loading, and the ratio of humerus + ulna + carpometacarpus length/femur length) indicate weak powers of flight and ground-dwelling habits. The latest occurrence of the new species, as evidenced by a radiocarbon date of 1970 ± 40 BP from bone collagen, indicates a Late Holocene extinction event subsequent to 49 cal BC, and was probably linked to human arrival and subsequent habitat alterations.