Most Popular Papers *
Why the delay in recognizing terrestrial obligate cave species in the tropics?
Francis G. Howarth
- Several factors explain why the discovery of tropical troglobionts was delayed
- Temperature and humidity are major factors in defining troglobiont distribution
- Troglobionts evolve by an adaptive shift across a cave/surface ecotonal boundary
- Subterranean species and ecosystems are vulnerable and threatened by novel stressors
- Research in tropical caves has expanded our understanding of evolutionary ecology of cave life
The dissolution and conversion of gypsum and anhydrite
Alexander Klimchouk
Riki&Dolphin: real time data transmission from the bottom of a cave to a website
Luca Tringali, Giacomo Canciani Dr., Tecla Tripari, Alexander Debenjak, and Caterina Bearzotti
- Dolphin sensors can be placed hundreds of meters deep in a cave
- Riki board can be placed outdoor, powering Dolphin with a 12 V battery for months
- Main maintenance can be performed only on Riki and Dragino (outside the cave)
- Data transmission through LoRaWAN, optional datalogging on a SD card placed outdoor
- Modular customizable design, with support for analog, digital, I2C, serial sensors
A world review of fungi, yeasts, and slime molds in caves
Karen J. Vanderwolf, David Malloch, Donald F. McAlpine, and Graham J. Forbes
Drainage proximity and sinkhole occurrence in Sivrihisar (Central Turkey): A comparative analysis of linear, Poisson, and negative binomial regression models
Bilge Bingül, Emrah Pekkan, and Resul Çömert
- Sinkhole frequency increases significantly with proximity to drainage networks
- Data overdispersion invalidates standard Poisson models
- Negative Binomial Regression outperforms linear and Poisson models
- Hydrochemistry reveals dolomite dissolution, not gypsum
- First comprehensive inventory maps 104 cover-collapse sinkholes
Pitfalls of multiplied 3D landforms projection: mapping deep multilevel cave systems in the Alps (Gamssteig Cave System, Göll Massif)
Mateusz Golicz and Jacek Szczygieł
- Complex ceilings, floors, and pits require flexible mapping strategies
- LiDAR yields precise 3D data but not inherently readable maps
- Cartographic generalization remains essential for communicative cave maps
- Traditional mapping remains crucial in extensive multi-kilometer systems
Cave minerals of the 21st century: A 2025 review and update
Bogdan P. Onac
- List of cave minerals of the world updated
- 54 new minerals added
- Volcanic caves and lava tubes contributed the most minerals to this update
Non-destructive characterization of variously colored gypsum and aragonite/calcite speleothems from the Cigalère Cave (Ariège, France)
Martin Vlieghe, Johan Wouters, Gérald Fanuel, Jean-François Drion du Chapois, Anne Gallez, Stéphane Pire-Stevenne, Gaëtan Rochez, and Johan Yans
- Portable X-ray fluorescence allows non-destructive elemental analysis in the field
- Designated calibration greatly increases accuracy and reproducibility
- Detection of Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, and Cu, responsible for the various colorations
- Metals and sulphate ions likely originate from the overlying Pb-Zn sulfide ores
Exceptional variety of baryte-celestine-series speleothems in Lechuguilla Cave (New Mexico, USA)
Max Wisshak, Johannes Birkenstock, Andrea Schröder-Ritzrau, Norbert Frank, Hazel A. Barton, and Harvey R. DuChene
- Lechuguilla Cave features an exceptional variety of baryte and celestine speleothems
- Baryte and Celestine also occur in hydrothermal veins predating the cave
- Baryte speleothems are composed of pure baryte
- Celestine is the major component of the most diverse mineral assemblages in the cave
- Radiometric dating constrains the age of formation to Middle Pleistocene to Holocene
The world’s deepest subterranean community - Krubera-Voronja Cave (Western Caucasus)
Alberto Sendra and Ana Sofia P.S. Reboleira
* Based on the average number of full-text downloads per day since the paper was posted.
» Updated as of 05/18/26.
