Hotspots of Subterranean Biodiversity in Caves and Wells

Author

David C. Culver
Boris Sket

Files

Publication Date

April 2000

Abstract

We documented 18 caves and two karst wells that have 20 or more stygobites and troglobites. Crustacea dominated the aquatic fauna. Taxonomic composition of the terrestrial fauna varied, but Arachnida and Insecta together usually dominated. Geographically, the sites were concentrated in the Dinaric Karst (6 caves). Sites tended to have high primary productivity or rich organic input from the surface, be large caves, or have permanent groundwater (phreatic water).

Keywords

Cave, Karst, Aquatic Fauna

Document Type

Article

Notes

Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, Vol. 62, no. 1 (2000-04-01).

Identifier

SFS0073649_00001

Recommended Citation

Culver, David C. and Sket, Boris, "Hotspots of Subterranean Biodiversity in Caves and Wells" (2000). KIP Articles. 2593.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/2593