Influence of substrate on the richness and composition of Neotropical cave fauna

Autor(es)

Zepon, Tamires ; Bichuette, Maria Elina

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências; v. 89, n. 3, p. 14-pg., 2017-07-01.

Resumo

The food base in the subterranean environment consists mainly of allochthonous materials. In this environment the resources are distributed generally in a heterogeneous dispersed way and the distribution of resources and their availability determine where the terrestrial invertebrates will reside, which is important for understanding ecological relationships and to establish conservation strategies. Thus, we tested how the complexity of substrates influences the richness and composition of the subterranean terrestrial invertebrates in the Presidente Olegario karst area, southeastern Brazil. We carried out collections in six caves during both dry and wet seasons, using combined collection methods. We observed different distributions in relation to the substrate, because the environmental heterogeneity increases the amount of available niches for the fauna. Some taxa showed a preference for specific substrates, probably related to the availability of food resources and humidity and to body size restriction, emphasizing the niche differentiation between species. Anthropogenic impacts can cause irreversible alterations in the subterranean fauna because the subterranean environment is dependent on the surface for input of trophic resources. On-going impacts in the Presidente Olegario karst area, like agriculture, pastures, gas extraction, and hydroelectric projects, are therefore a serious threat to subterranean biodiversity and this region should be prioritized for conservation. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 08/05678-7 - Ecologia populacional e comportamento de peixes subterrâneos brasileiros, gêneros Glaphyropoma e Copionodon Pinna, 1992 (Siluriformes: Trichomycteriadae: Copionodontinae) da Chapada Diamantina, Bahia central
• Beneficiário: Maria Elina Bichuette
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 10/08459-4 - As áreas cársticas de São Desidério, serra do Ramalho (sudoeste da Bahia) e São Domingos (nordeste de Goiás) representam hot spots de biodiversidade? Análise das comunidades cavernícolas e critérios para sua proteção
• Beneficiário: Maria Elina Bichuette
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 08/57949-4 - Instituto de Estudos dos Hymenoptera Parasitóides da Região Sudeste Brasileira - IEHYPA - Sudeste
• Beneficiário: Angélica Maria Penteado Martins Dias
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático