Beyond the Banks: The Influence of a Subterranean River on the Cave Invertebrate Community, A Case Study in Niquelândia, Goiás, Brazil
Keywords:
Drainage, Invertebrates, Caves, Community Structure, Temperature, HumidityAbstract
Subterranean watercourses can exert a strong influence on the richness and composition of terrestrial invertebrate communities by providing moisture and transporting organic resources from surface habitats. To test this hypothesis, we conducted surveys in a limestone cave, comparing two contrasting environments: the margins of an active stream and a drier upper passage. Using a standardized methodology, we established 30 m² sectors and 1 m² quadrats as sampling units to record terrestrial invertebrates and to characterize floor microhabitats (distance from the watercourse, temperature, humidity, substrate diversity, shelter availability, and organic resources). Species composition and richness differed significantly between moist and dry zones, with 35 species recorded near the stream and 27 in the drier areas. Subterranean streams directly alter microenvironmental conditions, such as humidity and temperature, while simultaneously increasing the availability of organic matter. In addition, they enhance habitat heterogeneity by transporting detritus that provide shelter and breeding sites. These results advance our understanding of subterranean ecosystem functioning and provide guidance for the conservation and management of these environments.
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