Publication Details
Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1002/ece3.7556
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Collecting eco-evolutionary data in the dark: Impediments to subterranean research and how to overcome them
Author Mammola, S.; Lunghi, E.; Bilandžija, H.; Cardoso, P.; Grimm, V.; Schmidt, S.I.; Hesselberg, T.; Martínez, A.
Journal Ecology and Evolution
Year 2021
Department OESA; iDiv
Volume 11
Issue 11
Page From 5911
Page To 5926
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Supplements https://osf.io/w5tj3/
Keywords Anchialine; Asellus aquaticus; Astyanax; Cave laboratory; Computer simulations; Experimental design; Groundwater; Model system; Non-model organisms; Natural laboratory; Sampling strategy; Stygobite; Troglobite
Abstract
  1. Caves and other subterranean habitats fulfill the requirements of experimental model systems to address general questions in ecology and evolution. Yet, the harsh working conditions of these environments and the uniqueness of the subterranean organisms have challenged most attempts to pursuit standardized research.
  2. Two main obstacles have synergistically hampered previous attempts. First, there is a habitat impediment related to the objective difficulties of exploring subterranean habitats and our inability to access the network of fissures that represents the elective habitat for the so‐called “cave species.” Second, there is a biological impediment illustrated by the rarity of most subterranean species and their low physiological tolerance, often limiting sample size and complicating laboratory experiments.
  3. We explore the advantages and disadvantages of four general experimental setups (in situ, quasi in situ, ex situ, and in silico) in the light of habitat and biological impediments. We also discuss the potential of indirect approaches to research. Furthermore, using bibliometric data, we provide a quantitative overview of the model organisms that scientists have exploited in the study of subterranean life.
  4. Our over‐arching goal is to promote caves as model systems where one can perform standardized scientific research. This is important not only to achieve an in‐depth understanding of the functioning of subterranean ecosystems but also to fully exploit their long‐discussed potential in addressing general scientific questions with implications beyond the boundaries of this discipline.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=24418
Mammola, S., Lunghi, E., Bilandžija, H., Cardoso, P., Grimm, V., Schmidt, S.I., Hesselberg, T., Martínez, A. (2021):
Collecting eco-evolutionary data in the dark: Impediments to subterranean research and how to overcome them
Ecol. Evol. 11 (11), 5911 - 5926