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2,401 results for “Subterranean”
Analytic dataset informing prediction of subterranean cave and mine ambient temperatures
<p>Caves and other subterranean features provide unique environments for many species. The importance of cave microclimate is particularly relevant at temperate latitudes where bats make seasonal use of caves for hibernation. White-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease that has devastated populations of hibernating bats across eastern and central North America, has brought renewed interest in bat hibernation and hibernaculum conditions. A recent review synthesized current understanding of cave climatology, exploring the qualitative relationship between cave and surface climate with implications for hibernaculum suitability. However, a more quantitative understanding of the conditions in which bats hibernate and how they may promote or mediate WNS impacts is required. We compiled subterranean temperatures from caves and mines across the western United States and Canada to: a) quantify the hypothesized relationship between mean annual surface temperature (MAST) and subterranean temperature and how it is influenced by measurable site attributes, and b) use readily available gridded data to predict and continuously map the range of temperatures that may be available in caves and mines. Our analysis supports qualitative predictions that subterranean winter temperatures are correlated with MAST, that temperatures are warmer and less variable farther from the surface, and that even deep within caves temperatures tend to be lower than MAST. Effects of other site attributes (e.g., topography, vegetation, precipitation) on subterranean temperatures were not detected. We then assessed the plausibility of model-predicted temperatures using knowledge of winter bat distributions and preferred hibernaculum temperatures. Our model unavoidably simplifies complex subterranean environments, and is not intended to explain all variability in subterranean temperatures. Rather, our results offer researchers and managers improved broad-scale estimates of the geographic distribution of potential hibernaculum conditions compared to reliance on MAST alone. We expect this information to better support range-scale estimation of winter bat distributions and projection of likely WNS impacts across the West. We suggest that our model predictions should serve as hypotheses to be further tested and refined as additional data become available. </p>
Supplementary material 5 from: Brassard F, Leong C-M, Chan H-H, Guénard B (2020) A new subterranean species and an updated checklist of Strumigenys (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Macao SAR, China, with a key to species of the Greater Bay Area. ZooKeys 970: 63-116. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.970.54958
Table S5. List of the sampling sites visited in 2019, with their associated number, name and geolocation
Evidence for speciation underground in diving beetles (Dytiscidae) from a subterranean archipelago
<p class="MsoCommentText">Most subterranean animals are assumed to have evolved from surface ancestors following colonisation of a cave system, however very few studies have raised the possibility of 'subterranean speciation' in underground habitats (i.e. obligate cave-dwelling organisms (troglobionts) descended from troglobiotic ancestors). Numerous endemic subterranean diving beetle species from spatially-discrete calcrete aquifers in Western Australia (stygobionts) have evolved independently from surface ancestors; however, several cases of sympatric sister species raises the possibility of subterranean speciation. We tested this hypothesis using vision (phototransduction) genes that are evolving under neutral processes in subterranean species and purifying selection in surface species. Using sequence data from 32 subterranean and five surface species in the genus <i>Paroster</i> (Dytiscidae), we identified deleterious mutations in: long wavelength opsin (<i>lwop</i>), arrestin 1 (<i>arr1</i>), and arrestin 2 (<i>arr2</i>)<i> </i>shared by a sympatric sister-species triplet, <i>arr1</i> shared by a sympatric sister-species pair, and <i>lwop</i> and <i>arr2</i> shared among closely related species in adjacent calcrete aquifers. In all cases, a common ancestor possessed the function-altering mutations, implying they were already adapted to aphotic environments. Our study represents one of the first confirmed cases of subterranean speciation in cave insects. The assessment of genes undergoing pseudogenisation provides a novel way of testing modes of speciation and the history of diversification in blind cave animals.</p>
Data from: The role of chromosomal rearrangements and geographical barriers in the divergence of lineages in a South American subterranean rodent (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae: Ctenomys minutus)
Identifying factors and the extent of their roles in the differentiation of populations is of great importance for understanding the evolutionary process in which a species is involved. Ctenomys minutus is a highly karyotype- polymorphic subterranean rodent, with diploid numbers ranging from 42 to 50 and autosomal arm numbers ranging from 68 to 80, comprising a total of 45 karyotypes described so far. This species inhabits the southern Brazilian coastal plain, which has a complex geological history, with several potential geographical barriers acting on different time scales. We assessed the geographical genetic structure of C. minutus, examining 340 individuals over the entire distributional range and using information from chromosomal rearrangements, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences, and 14 microsatellite loci. The mtDNA results revealed 7 main haplogroups, with the most recent common ancestors dating from the Pleistocene, whereas clustering methods defined 12 populations. Some boundaries of mtDNA haplogroups and population clusters can be associated with potential geographical barriers to gene flow. The isolation by distance pattern also plays an important role in fine-scale genetic differentiation, which is strengthened by the narrowness of the coastal plain and by common features of subterranean rodents (i.e., small fragmented populations and low dispersal rates), which limit gene flow among populations. A step-by-step mechanism of chromosomal evolution can be suggested for this species, mainly associated with the metapopulation structure, genetic drift, and the geographical features of the southern Brazilian coastal plain. However, chromosomal variation plays no or very little role in the diversification of C. minutus populations.
Data from: Unbalanced biparental care during colony foundation in two subterranean termites
Parental care is a major component of reproduction in social organisms, particularly during the foundation steps. Because investment into parental care is often costly, each parent is predicted to maximize its fitness by providing less care than its partner. However, this sexual conflict is expected to be low in species with lifelong monogamy, because the fitness of each parent is typically tied to the other's input. Somewhat surprisingly, the outcomes of this tug-of-war between maternal and paternal investments have received important attention in vertebrate species, but remain less known in invertebrates. In this study, we investigated how queens and kings share their investment into parental care and other social interactions during colony foundation in two termites with lifelong monogamy: the invasive species Reticulitermes flavipes and the native species R. grassei. Behaviors of royal pairs were recorded during six months using a non-invasive approach. Our results showed that queens and kings exhibit unbalanced investment in terms of grooming, antennation, trophallaxis and vibration behavior. Moreover, both parents show behavioral differences towards their partner or their descendants. Our results also revealed differences among species, with R. flavipes exhibiting shorter periods of grooming and antennation towards eggs or partners. They also did more stomodeal trophallaxis and less vibration behavior. Overall, this study emphasizes that despite lifelong monogamy, the two parents are not equally involved in the measured forms of parental care and suggests that kings might be specialized in other tasks. It also indicates that males could play a central, yet poorly studied role in the evolution and maintenance of the eusocial organization.
Data from: Opsin transcripts of predatory diving beetles: a comparison of surface and subterranean photic niches
The regressive evolution of eyes has long intrigued biologists yet the genetic underpinnings remain opaque. A system of discrete aquifers in arid Australia provides a powerful comparative means to explore trait regression at the genomic level. Multiple surface ancestors from two tribes of diving beetles (Dytiscidae) repeatedly invaded these calcrete aquifers and convergently evolved eye-less phenotypes. We use this system to assess transcription of opsin photoreceptor genes among the transcriptomes of two surface and three subterranean dytiscid species and test whether these genes have evolved under neutral predictions. Transcripts for UV,long-wavelength and ciliary-type opsins were identified from the surface beetle transcriptomes. Two subterranean beetles showed parallel loss of all opsin transcription, as expected under 'neutral' regressive evolution. The third species Limbodessus palmulaoides retained transcription of a long-wavelength opsin (lwop) orthologue, albeit in an aphotic environment. Tests of selection on lwopindicated no significant differences between transcripts derived from surface and subterranean habitats, with strong evidence for purifying selection acting on L. palmulaoides lwop. Retention of sequence integrity and the lack of evidence for neutral evolution raise the question of whether we have identified a novel pleiotropic role for lwop, or an incipient phase of pseudogene development.
Data from: The importance of naming cryptic species and the conservation of endemic subterranean amphipods
Molecular taxonomy often uncovers cryptic species, reminding us that taxonomic incompleteness is even more severe than previous thought. The importance of cryptic species for conservation is poorly understood. Although some cryptic species may be seriously threatened or otherwise important, they are rarely included in conservation programs as most of them remain undescribed. We analysed the importance of cryptic species in conservation by scrutinizing the South European cryptic complex of the subterranean amphipod Niphargus stygius sensu lato. Using uni- and multilocus delineation methods we show that it consists of 15 parapatric and sympatric species, which we describe using molecular diagnoses. The new species are not mere "taxonomic inflation" as they originate from several distinct branches within the genus and coexist with no evidence of lineage sharing. They are as evolutionarily distinct as average nominal species of the same genus. Ignoring these cryptic species will underestimate the number of subterranean endemics in Slovenia by 12 and in Croatia by four species, although alpha diversity of single caves remains unchanged. The new taxonomy renders national Red Lists largely obsolete, as they list mostly large-ranged species but omit critically endangered single-site endemics. Formal naming of cryptic species is critical for them to be included in conservation policies and faunal listings.
Data from: DNA metabarcoding diet analysis for species with parapatric versus sympatric distribution: a case study on subterranean rodents
Closely related sympatric species commonly develop different ecological strategies to avoid competition. Ctenomys minutus and C. flamarioni are subterranean rodents parapatrically distributed in the southern Brazilian coastal plain, showing a narrow sympatric zone. To gain understanding on food preferences and possible competition for food resources, we evaluated their diet composition performing DNA metabarcoding analyzes of 67 C. minutus and 100 C. flamarioni scat samples, collected along the species geographical ranges. Thirteen plant families, mainly represented by Poaceae, Araliaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae, were identified in the diet of C. minutus. For C. flamarioni, 10 families were recovered, with a predominance of Poaceae, Araliaceae and Asteraceae. A significant correlation between diet composition and geographical distance was detected in C. minutus, whereas the diet of C. flamarioni was quite homogeneous throughout its geographical distribution. No significant differences were observed between males and females of each species. However, differences in diet composition between species were evident according to multivariate analysis. Our results suggest some level of diet partitioning between C. flamarioni and C. minutus in the sympatric region. While the first species is more specialized on few plant items, the second showed a more varied and heterogeneous diet pattern among individuals. These differences might have been developed to avoid competition in the region of co-occurrence. Resource availability in the environment also seems to influence food choices. Our data indicate that C. minutus and C. flamarioni are generalist species, but that some preference for Poaceae, Asteraceae and Araliaceae families can be suggested for both rodents.
Data from: Clinal variation in colony breeding structure and level of inbreeding in the subterranean termites Reticulitermes flavipes and R. grassei
Social insects exhibit remarkable variation in their colony breeding structures, both within and among species. Ecological factors are believed to be important in shaping reproductive traits of social insect colonies, yet there is little information linking specific environmental variables with differences in breeding structure. Subterranean termites (Rhinotermitidae) show exceptional variation in colony breeding structure, differing in the number of reproductives and degree of inbreeding; colonies can be simple families headed by a single pair of monogamous reproductives (king and queen) or they can be extended families headed by multiple inbreeding neotenic reproductives (wingless individuals). Using microsatellite markers, we characterized colony breeding structure and levels of inbreeding in populations over large parts of the range of the subterranean termites Reticulitermes flavipes in the USA and R. grassei in Europe. Combining these new data with previous results on populations of both species, we found that latitude had a strong effect on the proportion of extended-family colonies in R. flavipes and on levels of inbreeding in both species. We examined the effect of several environmental variables that vary latitudinally; while the degree of inbreeding was greatest in cool, moist habitats in both species, seasonality affected the species differently. Inbreeding in R. flavipes was most strongly associated with climatic variables (mean annual temperature and seasonality), whereas nonclimatic variables, including the availability of wood substrate and soil composition, were important predictors of inbreeding in R. grassei. These results are the first showing that termite breeding structure is shaped by local environmental factors and that species can vary in their responses to these factors.
FIGURE 6 in Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, a new subterranean loach from Iraqi Kurdistan (Teleostei; Nemacheilidae)
FIGURE 6. Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, ZFMK-ICH 102318, holotype, 53.6 mm SL; lateral, and ventral view of head showing large mouth; Iraqi Kurdistan: Ephemeral spring in Tabeen Gorge.
FIGURE 8 in Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, a new subterranean loach from Iraqi Kurdistan (Teleostei; Nemacheilidae)
FIGURE 8. Ephemeral spring in Tabeen Gorge, type locality of E. proudlovei. Korsh Ararat sitting at the head of the spring during a documentary.
FIGURE 5. Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, FSJF 3542 in Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, a new subterranean loach from Iraqi Kurdistan (Teleostei; Nemacheilidae)
FIGURE 5. Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, FSJF 3542, paratype, 48.5 SL; right pectoral fin, dorsal view showing many small unculi; Iraqi Kurdistan: Ephemeral spring in Tabeen Gorge.
FIGURE 3 in Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, a new subterranean loach from Iraqi Kurdistan (Teleostei; Nemacheilidae)
FIGURE 3. Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, paratypes, FSJF 3542, 48.5, 45.5 mm SL; Iraqi Kurdistan: Ephemeral spring in Tabeen Gorge.
FIGURE 7. Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, FSJF 3542 in Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, a new subterranean loach from Iraqi Kurdistan (Teleostei; Nemacheilidae)
FIGURE 7. Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, FSJF 3542, paratype, 48.5 SL; Iraqi Kurdistan: Ephemeral spring in Tabeen Gorge; E. smithi, FSJF 3541, 34 mm SL; Iran: Natural well-like opening being the origin of the stream Kay-e-Ru; bony swim bladder capsule, dorsal, ventral, posterior and anterior views.
FIGURE 2 in Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, a new subterranean loach from Iraqi Kurdistan (Teleostei; Nemacheilidae)
FIGURE 2. Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, ZFMK-ICH 102318, holotype, 53.6 mm SL; Iraqi Kurdistan: Ephemeral spring in Tabeen Gorge.
FIGURE 4 in Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, a new subterranean loach from Iraqi Kurdistan (Teleostei; Nemacheilidae)
FIGURE 4. Eidinemacheilus proudlovei, alive, not preserved, 45 mm SL; Iraqi Kurdistan: Ephemeral spring in Tabeen Gorge.
FIGURES 16–21 in A new subterranean Iberian Cephennium with unusually modified metatrochanters (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)
FIGURES 16–21. Cephennium gladiator sp. n., erect aedeagus (16−19) in ventral (16, 18) and lateral (17, 19) views; left hind coxa, trochanter and femur in ventral view, extreme examples of variability (20, 21).
FIGURES 8–15 in A new subterranean Iberian Cephennium with unusually modified metatrochanters (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)
FIGURES 8–15. Cephennium gladiator sp. n., non-erected aedeagus of holotype (8−11) and paratype from Covelo (12−15) in ventral (8, 10, 12, 14) and lateral (9, 11, 13, 15) views.
FIGURE 5 in Crangonyx islandicus sp. nov., a subterranean freshwater amphipod (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Crangonyctidae) from springs in lava fields in Iceland
FIGURE 5. Crangonyx islandicus sp. nov., female paratype, 6.2 mm, Vatnsvik. A, pereopod 6. B, coxa of pereopod 6. C, pereopod 7. D, spines distally on carpus of pereopod 7. E, pleopod 1. F, pleopod 2. G, pleopod 3. Scale: A–C = 0.5 mm; D = 0.1 mm; E–G = 0.5 mm.
FIGURE 2 in Crangonyx islandicus sp. nov., a subterranean freshwater amphipod (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Crangonyctidae) from springs in lava fields in Iceland
FIGURE 2. Crangonyx islandicus sp. nov., female paratype, 6.2 mm, Vatnsvik. A, antenna 1. B, distal part of flagellum of antenna 1. C, accessory flagellum of antenna 1. D, antenna 2. E, upper lip. F, left mandible, G, lacina mobilis and incisor. H, mandibular palp. I, lower lip. J, maxilla 1. K, maxilla 2. Scale: A, B = 0.5; C–K = 0.1 mm.
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Allen Brain Atlas
Allen Brain Atlas is an Allen Institute collection of brain map atlases, datasets, APIs, and analysis tools covering mouse, human, and non-human primate brain resources.
Annotated Behaviour and Observability Dataset (ABODe)
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