The Corona lava tube, Lanzarote: geology, habitat diversity and biogeography

Alternative Title

Marine Biodiversity

Author

Horst Wilkens
Thomas M. Iliffe
Pedro Oromí

Files

Publication Date

8-12-2009

Volume Number

39

Abstract

The Corona lava tube on the Canarian island of Lanzarote is a unique subterranean ecosystem comprising both dry and submerged cave sections with a total length of almost 8 km. Here, we present the results of a diving exploration of the lava tube that took place from 11 to 25 March 2008. Environmental characteristics are given for ecologically disparate sections of the cave, including the Cueva de los Lagos, the Jameos del Agua, and the Túnel de la Atlántida. Moreover, we compare various habitats within the lava tube, and discuss the origin of the diverse hypogean fauna, including new species of remipede crustaceans and polychaete worms discovered during the expedition.

Keywords

Anchialine caves, Sub-seafloor caves, Marine biodiversity, Hypogean fauna, Mesozoic distributions

Document Type

Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-009-0019-2

Recommended Citation

Wilkens, Horst; Iliffe, Thomas M.; and Oromí, Pedro, "The Corona lava tube, Lanzarote: geology, habitat diversity and biogeography" (2009). KIP Articles. 6382.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/6382