Who's inside, and who's outside? Habitat structure determines the richness and composition of invertebrates in quartzite caves and surrounding habitats.

Resumen

In recent years, studies have aimed to understand how physical and environmental structures within caves influence invertebrate communities. However, there is still a lack of research exploring how substrate composition and habitat heterogeneity influence faunal communities in quartzite caves and adjacent epigean areas, despite the importance of understanding these ecological relationships to inform effective conservation strategies. This study evaluated the similarity of invertebrate communities between quartzite caves and surrounding surface habitats, as well as the environmental variables influencing faunal composition and richness. The study was conducted across three quartzite cave systems, with sampling carried out within the caves and in adjacent epigean zones. Results revealed dissimilarity in faunal composition between subterranean and surface environments, while communities within caves exhibited higher similarity. Species turnover was identified as the primary component of total βsør-diversity between the two environments. The distinct faunal compositions observed are driven by environmental filters, with restrictive cave conditions limiting colonization and favoring specialized invertebrates. Additionally, distinct substrate variables emerged as a key driver of community structure, with plant debris influencing epigean fauna, and guano and inorganic substrates structuring cave fauna. These findings advance understanding of subterranean ecosystem dynamics, highlighting the importance of habitat features in informing biodiversity conservation strategies.