A preliminary survey of the abundance, diversity and distribution of terrestrial macroinvertebrates of Gcwihaba cave, northwest Botswana

Abstract

<jats:p>Inventories of cave species and in-depth understanding of cave ecosystems are essential for informing conservation approaches for the unique and vulnerable cave fauna. Gcwihaba cave is the largest cave in Botswana but its ecology is poorly understood. This study set out to provide the first quantitative survey of the cave’s terrestrial macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates were collected from sample sites at 10 m intervals into the cave from the cave entrance. At each site, macroinvertebrates on the cave floor were collected by quadrat sampling while macroinvertebrate from cave walls were collected by visual opportunistic searches. Moisture content, pH and electrical conductivity of the cave floor substrate were measured at each site to examine the influence of the floor properties on the distribution of macroinvertebrates on the cave floor. Twelve species in 10 families and 8 orders of terrestrial macroinvertebrates were collected. The occurrence of taxa varied across the sites, with most taxa occurring in the light and twilight sectors of the cave (within 30 m), whereas the dark sector (beyond 30 m) was dominated by cave cockroaches (<jats:italic>Gyna</jats:italic> sp.). The abundance of the cave cockroaches, darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae, <jats:italic>Tenebrio</jats:italic> sp.) and cave wasps (Sphecidae) positively correlated with floor substrate of high moisture content and high electrical conductivity, which became increasingly common with distance into the cave. The abundance of other taxa from the cave floor positively correlated with a floor substrate of high pH and low moisture, which was common near the cave entrance.</jats:p>

Faunal diversity of an insular crepuscular cave of Goa, India

“…Expectedly, the variations in microclimatic attributes across the various cave zones create an environmental gradient, which influences distribution of various faunal elements. Such patterns of macro-invertebrate distribution in a cave ecosystem have also been J TT confirmed by Mazebedi & Hesselberg (2020). The basic tenet of eco-energetics requires linkages between biodiversity and the abiotic components; and the species richness is limited by productivity (Ricklefs & Schluter 1993).…”

Macroarthropod Diversity, Distribution, and Community Structure in Cikarae Cave of the Klapanunggal Karst, West Java

“…Most morphospecies recorded in this study were classified as troglophiles, meaning they can complete their life cycle in caves or surface environments (Trajano and de Carvalho 2017;Mammola 2019). Almost all previous cave-dwelling animal inventories resulted in the dominance of troglophiles or trogloxenes (mainly bats and other vertebrates) over troglobites (Mazebedi and Hesselberg 2020;. Troglobite species are relatively scarce and have not been recorded in all caves.…”

“…In addition, cave dwellers must cope with an extreme (although stable) microclimate, low oxygen concentration, and relatively high humidity close to saturation (Howarth and Moldovan 2018a). Despite these extreme environmental conditions, caves are essential habitats for many macroarthropods (Romero 2009;Mazebedi and Hesselberg 2020;Silva et al 2020). Macroarthropods are essential components of cave ecosystems because of their diversity, abundance, and ecological functions.…”

Population structure and habitat preference of cave crickets (<i>Rhaphidophora</i> sp. (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae)) in Sanghyang Kenit cave, Citatah karst area, West Java

“…The measurement of soil pH showed that twilight and dark zones have more acidic pH than the entrance. This is caused by guano deposits spread in those zones since guano has acidic pH (Mazebedi & Hesselberg 2020). Multiple studies have examined that guano was one of the main deciding factors for distribution, composition, and abundance of various cave-dwelling animals belonging to troglophiles and troglobiont (Tobin et al 2013;Iskali & Zhang 2015).…”