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The life in subterranean caves always needs a high degree of biological adaptability, due to its unusual ecosystem. The cave dwelling species usually get selected from preadapted biological traits for cave life. The cave dwelling tendencies in frog are very uncommon.Majority of reported cave frogs usually prefer cave for temporary shelter. In India...
Citations
... These groups may also serve as prey for frogs (Bernarde, 2012;Ferreira et al., 2018;dos Santos et al., 2022). Caves also function as natural refuges for frogs, whose behavioural and physiological adaptations to this habitat varies among species (Biswas, 2014;Matavelli et al., 2015;dos Santos et al., 2021;Bichuette et al., 2022;Sperandei et al., 2023). ...
In this study we report predation on the hylodid frog
Crossodactylus caramaschii by the fshing spider
Trechaleoides biocellata (Fig. 1). The observation took
place on 16 May 2015 in the Fenda das Almas Cave,
Ribeirão Grande Municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil
(24.1997°S, 48.3515°W). This limestone cave is located
in the Atlantic Forest Domain and characterized by a Cfa
climate (humid temperate with hot summer and no dry
season) according to the Köppen-Geiger classifcation
(Alvares et al., 2013). The observation was made in the
deepest area of the cave, within the aphotic zone and
above a stream coursing through the cave. This study is
the frst to report an observation of frog-fshing spider
predation in a cave habitat.
... external foraging but internal (cave) egg laying), where tadpoles develop and metamorphose with a typical cave-adapted morphology (i.e. degenerated eyes and transparent skin; Supplementary Fig. S1A-C) [11][12][13]. The different requirements of cave and outside lifestyles may limit the path to genetic adaptation [13,14]. ...
Gut microbiota are significant to the host’s nutrition and provide a flexible way for the host to adapt to extreme environments. However, whether gut microbiota help the host to colonize caves, a resource-limited environment, remains unknown. The nonobligate cave frog Oreolalax rhodostigmatus completes its metamorphosis within caves for 3–5 years before foraging outside. Their tadpoles are occasionally removed from the caves by floods and utilize outside resources, providing a contrast to the cave-dwelling population. For both cave and outside tadpoles, the development-related reduction in their growth rate and gut length during prometamorphosis coincided with a shift in their gut microbiota, which was characterized by decreased Lactobacillus and Cellulosilyticum and Proteocatella in the cave and outside individuals, respectively. The proportion of these three genera was significantly higher in the gut microbiota of cave-dwelling individuals compared with those outside. The cave-dwellers’ gut microbiota harbored more abundant fibrolytic, glycolytic, and fermentative enzymes and yielded more short-chain fatty acids, potentially benefitting the host’s nutrition. Experimentally depriving the animals of food resulted in gut atrophy for the individuals collected outside the cave, but not for those from inside the cave. Imitating food scarcity reproduced some major microbial features (e.g. abundant Proteocatella and fermentative genes) of the field-collected cave individuals, indicating an association between the cave-associated gut microbiota and resource scarcity. Overall, the gut microbiota may reflect the adaptation of O. rhodostigmatus tadpoles to resource-limited environments. This extends our understanding of the role of gut microbiota in the adaptation of animals to extreme environments.
... Unlike any epigean patch of land, hypogean habitats are underexplored systems (Sket 2016). These habitats range from small crevices to deeper holes and caves, used as shelters to avoid unfavourable epigean microclimatic conditions (Biswas 2014;Lunghi et al. 2014). Among the diverse array of subterranean habitats, caves are recognized as model biological systems (Mammola 2019). ...
Cave-dwelling spiders stand out as model organisms in subterranean ecosystems, with their ecological role, unique adaptations, and sensitivity to anthropogenic actions. Hence, we aimed to understand the occupancy and habitat selection of cave-dwelling spiders by selecting seven accessible limestone caves at Baratang Island, Andaman and Nicobar Is, for three repetitive temporal surveys. While conducting this preliminary order-level study, we encountered 636 individuals in 552 longitudinal fixed-width transects (of 1 m width) covering a 1,232 sq. m area. We encountered most spiders on the walls (76.59%) and ceiling (5.37%). Spiders had an average abundance of 5-6 individuals/transect and a density of one individual/sq. m. Unlike density, spider abundance varied across the zones. Cave spiders occupied 64.33% of the sampled area with 80% detection probability, 41% colonization, and 17% extinction rates. Though spiders had a random zonal distribution, most encounters were in the dark zone (48.1%) and the highest occupancy (84%) was in the entrance zone. Neither cave structure nor the microclimate inside caves significantly affected the population and distribution of spiders. Recognizing the caveat of studying spider occupancy at the order level, we understand that well-designed species-level ecology and biology studies in tropical caves might further unveil the unknown.
... In temperate regions, caves can serve as important refuges and foraging places in hostile climatic conditions for amphibians, in the short or long term (Niemiller and Miller, 2009;Biswas, 2014). We assume that the frogs we observed also used the caves as shelter and refuge, although there is little information about anurans in Brazilian caves. ...
We here report on the frogs occurring in seven insular granitic caves in the Municipality of Florianópolis,
Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, located in the Atlantic Forest biome. We encountered adults of Bokermannohyla
hylax, Ischnocnema manezinho, Leptodactylus cf. paranaru, Rhinella cf. ornata, and Scinax catharinae, of which.
The most common species was I. manezinho, endemic to Florianópolis and classified as Near Threatened and
Vulnerable on the endangered species lists of Santa Catarina State and Brazil. Our findings indicate that caves may
be important refuges for frogs.
... Bokermannohyla martinsi used more intensively the dysphotic zone, which has high humidity and moderate temperatures (Biswas 2014) as is usually observed in troglophilic and trogloxenic species (Lunghi et al. 2015(Lunghi et al. , 2017, including other anurans (Oseen & Wassersug 2002, Lunghi et al. 2018. In these sectors, the frogs may also benefit from decreased visibility to visually orientated predators (Duellman & Trueb 1994, Oseen & Wassersug 2002 and also from moister and more stable microclimatic conditions compared to the euphotic zone (Hetem et al. 2012, Everall et al. 2015, Lunghiet al. 2018. ...
... For their part, juveniles may position themselves closer to the ground due to their less developed climbing skills, as opposed to adult frogs. Morphological features of B. martinsi such as digital disks, a camouflage colour pattern, and nocturnal habits have also been found in other anuran species that use caves (Biswas 2014, Luría-Manzano & Ramírez-Bautista 2017 and may represent important adaptations for cave users. ...
... The preference of amphibians for caves with greater humidity and environmental stability was also observed in other field studies (Lunghi et al. 2014) and experimentally (Lüddecke 2003). Amphibian susceptibility to water loss via the skin (Wells 2007) makes the use of caves advantageous due to their high humidity and stability (Biswas 2014), facilitating water condensation and absorption through the skin, even at sites with low water availability (Tracy et al. 2011). Additionally, prey availability and lower predation risk are likely advantages of caves (Biswas 2014). ...
Bokermannohyla martinsi is an endemic anuran from the mountains of the southernmost portion of the Espinhaço range in southeastern Brazil. This region is known as the Iron Quadrangle (Quadrilátero Ferrífero) due to its ironrich outcrops and is under intensive mining exploration, which threatens its caves. Here, we investigated whether males, females, and juveniles of B. martinsi use iron caves throughout the year, exhibit cave fidelity, distribute themselves differently within caves, and prefer to use caves that are microclimatically stable. We sampled 10 caves during eight 15-day periods regularly spaced throughout one year. Frogs used caves throughout the year and exhibited cave fidelity. They preferred the dysphotic zone, and young individuals remained closer to the entrance of the cave and to the ground, maybe due to their lower locomotory/climbing ability compared to adult frogs. Bokermannohyla martinsi preferred more stable caves (those with lower temperature and humidity variation), and the use of caves by females was more intensive during the dry and cold season, which may be related to their shorter permanence at breeding sites (streams). Our results show that caves are important habitats for B. martinsi, as it may be the case with other species, too, and their destruction should thus be evaluated and weighted with greater care when planning their mining.
... PCR is currently more used for research purposes and adds sensitivity and specificity to the diagnosis (Michalsky et al. 2002). The occurrence of anurans in caves is not uncommon; it has been reported by several authors even in distinct lithologies (Pinto-da-Rocha 1995; Rogowitz et al. 2001;Castillo et al. 2009;Gouveia et al. 2009;Araújo et al. 2010;Lima et al. 2012;Biswas 2014;Matavelli et al. 2015;Lunghi et al. 2018;Suwannapoom et al. 2018). Other cold-blooded vertebrates are also recorded in caves, such as salamanders, lizards, snakes, and crocodilians (Wilson 1987;Briggler and Prather 2006;Ellis and Pauwels 2012;Rodríguez-Cabrera et al. 2015;Esmaeili-Rineh et al. 2016;Shirley et al. 2016), although no specimen has been recorded in the present study. ...
Genus and species of phlebotomine sand flies have been recorded and described in caves in Brazil, but no study has provided the food source used by sand flies in these environments. Herein, we identified the blood source used by sand fly species in caves located at “Quadrilátero Ferrífero” (QF), Minas Gerais state. Specimens were manually collected near or on anurans inside ferruginous caves in Serra do Gandarela National Park and Serra do Rola Moça State Park. Males and females were placed in vials with 70% alcohol and stored at −10°C. Females engorged, after specific identification, had DNA extracted and followed for PCR amplification using specific primers. Sequencing was analyzed in the GenBank and Barcode of Life. A total of 198 specimens were collected (107 females and 91 males), all of them belonging to species Sciopemyia aff. microps (88.89%), Sciopemyia sordellii (10.61%), or Martinsmyia oliveirai (0.50%). When it comes to the females, 89 were S. aff. microps and 18 S. sordellii. Nineteen engorged females of S. aff. microps were analyzed and most of them (n=18) presented blood from Bokermannohyla martinsi and one contained blood from Scinax fuscovarius. The blood present in engorged females of S. sordellii (n=4) was from B. martinsi. Sciopemyia genus specimens are commonly found in collections carried out inside natural caves, but this was the first study to prove that females of this genus feed on cold-blooded animals in nature.
Highlights
• Here we proved that sand flies feed in cold-blooded animals in in Brazilian caves.
• Females of the Sciopemyia genus were for the first time found feeding in natural habitats.
• Anurans of the family Hylidae were identified as source by molecular analyzes.
• Insect bloodmeal identification can help assessing the fauna in several biomes.
• This is the first record of S. aff. microps in caves of Brazil.
... Sin embargo, había pozas de agua estancada en la proximidad de donde se observaron dos individuos en Sima de la Nava, y en la zona profunda (~100 m de donde se observó un individuo) de la cueva de la Tinaja. Se ha documentado que otras especies de anuros utilizan las cuevas durante el verano para evitar el calor, sequedad y desecación asociada con estas condiciones (Barr 1953;Prather y Briggler 2001;Biswas 2014). No podemos confirmar si B. bufo las estaba utilizando para escapar de las condiciones del exterior o para la reproducción; dado que nuestras observaciones tuvieron lugar en verano, lo más probablemente es que esta especie estuviese refugiándose del calor. ...
Este trabajo representa el primer inventario, a gran escala, de la biología de las cuevas del Parque Natural de la Sierra de las Nieves, Andalucía, España. Se han muestreado siete cavidades, de las cuales tres se localizan a cota relativamente baja, a una altura media de unos 1000 m.s.n.m., mientras las otras cuatro se localizan a una cota relativamente alta, con una altura media de 1600 m.s.n.m. Se han identificado, de modo preliminar, al menos 40 morfoespecies y 13 grupos taxonómicos a escala general (esto es, categorías taxonómicas de nivel orden o superior) de artrópodos que viven en cuevas, incluyendo la especie relicta de colémbolo Onychiurus gevorum Arbea 2012. Los murciélagos se detectaron en dos de las tres cuevas de cota baja; una colonia de murciélagos, posiblemente Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774), consistente en aproximadamente 100 individuos que se vio en una de las cuevas; y un murciélago (Myotis sp.) que se encontró aletargado en otra cavidad. El sapo común
(Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758)) se ha encontrado en dos de las cuevas de cota baja. Se proponen recomendaciones para desarrollar una investigación complementaria que ayude a la gestión futura de estos recursos biológicos.
... However, standing pools of water occurred at proximity to where two individuals were observed in Sima de la Nava, and standing pools exist within the deep zone (~100 m from where we observed one individual) within Cueva de la Tinaja. Notably, other anuran species have been documented to use caves during summer to avoid summer heat, drought and desiccation associated with these conditions (Barr 1953;Prather & Briggler 2001;Biswas 2014). While we cannot confirm whether B. bufo were using caves to escape desiccating surface conditions or for reproduction, given our observations occurred during the summer, it stands to reason this species was likely taking refuge in caves to avoid the summer heat. ...
This work represents the first large scale cave biological inventory of caves in Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, Andalucía, Spain. We sampled seven caves (three low and four high elevation caves) from 22 June through 01 July 2017. We have preliminarily identified at least 42 morphospecies and 13 coarse-level taxonomic groups (i.e., Order or higher) of cave-dwelling arthropods including the relict springtail species, Onychiurus gevorum Arbea 2012. Bats were detected in two of three low elevation caves; a bat roost of unknown type consisting of approximately 100 bats was observed in one cave, and one bat (Myotis sp.) was found torporing in another cave. The common toad (Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758)) was identified in two low elevation caves. We also provide recommendations for additional research to aid in the future management of these resources.
... However, evidences have accumulated testifying that subterranean habitats are not entirely aseasonal Culver 1969, Tobin et al. 2013), and that their inhabitants are not entirely arhythmic (Friedrich 2013, Abhilash et al. 2017. Most subterranean habitats are indeed characterized by a constant flux of invaders and migrants (Chapman 1993, Culver and Sket 2002, Culver and Pipan 2009, Romero 2009, and there can be a temporal variability in the presence and distribution of vertebrates (e.g., Reichard et al. 2009, Krofel 2010, Biswas 2014, Baker 2015, Ineich and Bourgoin 2016, Balogová et al. 2017, Lunghi et al. 2018) and invertebrates (e.g., Crouau-Roy et al. 1992, Gnaspini et al. 2003, Novak et al. 2004, Papi and Pipan 2011, Tobin et al. 2013, Mammola and Isaia 2014, Bento et al. 2016, Mammola et al. 2015, 2016a, Bichuette et al. 2017, Lunghi et al. 2017, Plăiaşu et al. 2017 found in caves. For instance, invertebrates may move in search of food in larger cave chambers, and move back to the more stable fissures connected with caves in response to any physiological stress (Juberthie 1969, Chapman 1985. ...
Being characterized by the absence of light and a reduced environmental cyclicity, the subterranean domain is generally regarded as temporally stable. Yet, in the proximity of cave entrances (twilight zones), patterns of sunlight and darkness can be detected within the 24-hour day–night cycle. In parallel, changes in the abiotic and biotic conditions are expected; however, these patterns have been rarely explored in animal communities dwelling in the twilight zone. We performed a biological investigation in a small abandoned mine in the Western Alps, monitoring it once per season, both during the day and at night. At each survey, we collected data on the spatial distribution of the resident species, their activity patterns, and the main microclimatic parameters. We observed significant daily variations in the environmental conditions during winter and spring, namely higher temperature, relative humidity and availability of trophic resources at night. In conjunction with these disparate nocturnal conditions, the abundance of troglophile species was also higher, as well as the activity patterns of one of the most frequent species inhabiting the entrance area – the orb-weaver spider Metamenardi . We further documented temporal changes in the composition of the parietal community, due to species using the mine as a diurnal, nocturnal or overwintering shelter. Overall, our results suggest that the communities of the twilight zone are not temporally stable and we highlight the importance of taking into account not only their seasonal, but also their daily variations.
... Several amphibian species are known to regularly exploit subterranean environments but, besides numerous reports concerning several salamanders species (Niemiller and Miller 2007, Pierce et al. 2014, Soares et al. 2017, Vörös et al. 2017, only a few species of frogs and toads (Anura) are known to exploit these environments (Fenolio et al. 2005, Köhler et al. 2010, Lunghi et al. 2014, Koller 2017. Frogs have been usually considered as an accidental presence in subterranean environments (Bressi and Dolce 1999), but recently many authors showed that some Anuran species can be quite common in these sites, selecting caves with specific environmental features (Köhler et al. 2010, Rosa and Penado 2013, Biswas 2014, Lunghi et al. 2014, Matavelli et al. 2015. One of these species is the Italian stream frog Rana italica Dubois, 1987, which is endemic of Italian Apennines (Lanza et al. 2006, Canestrelli et al. 2008, Buono et al. 2014, Sindaco and Grieco 2014. ...
Studies on frogs exploiting subterranean environments are extremely scarce, as these Amphibians are usually considered accidental in these environments. However, according to recent studies, some anurans actively select subterranean environments on the basis of specific environmental features, and thus are able to inhabit these environments throughout the year. We present the first study on the abundance and spatial use of the Italian stream frog, Ranaitalica , in subterranean environments. We monthly collected data from 66 cave sectors during a whole year (2013), recording > 120 detections of R.italica . Frogs were more frequently found close to the cave entrance, without significant differences between age classes or sexes. Adults generally were observed being higher up along cave walls compared to juveniles. Frogs abundance was higher in areas showing specific environmental features, such as warm temperature, low incident light and the presence of potential prey. Ranaitalica likely occupies subterranean areas characterized by a combination of microclimatic suitability and prey availability.
