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FIGURE 21 in Three new cave-dwelling Eukoenenia (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae) from limestone caves in Northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil

FIGURE 21. Eukoenenia jequitai sp. nov., leg I, right side. A, trochanter and femur; B, patella and tibia; C, basitarsi 1–4; D, tarsi 1–3. Scale bars 80 μm.

FIGURE 5 in Three new cave-dwelling Eukoenenia (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae) from limestone caves in Northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil

FIGURE 5. Eukoenenia magna sp. nov., leg I, right side of female II. A, trochanter and femur; B, patella and tibia; C, basitarsi 1– 4; D, tarsi 1–3. Scale bars 150 μm.

FIGURE 4 in Three new cave-dwelling Eukoenenia (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae) from limestone caves in Northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil

FIGURE 4. Eukoenenia magna sp. nov., pedipalp, right side. A, trochanter-femur, male II; B, tibia-basitarsus 2, female II; C, tarsi 1–3, female II. Scale bars: 150 μm (Figs. A–B) and (100 μm Fig. C).

FIGURE 8 in Three new cave-dwelling Eukoenenia (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae) from limestone caves in Northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil

FIGURE 8. Eukoenenia magna sp. nov., flagellar articles, male II. A, articles I–IV; B, articles V–VIII; C, articles IX–XIII. Scale bars 500 μm.

FIGURE 3 in Three new cave-dwelling Eukoenenia (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae) from limestone caves in Northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil

FIGURE 3. Eukoenenia magna sp. nov. A, propeltidial chaetotaxy (holotype); B, metapeltidial setae, female I; C, coxa of right pedipalp, female II; D, coxa of right leg I, female II; E, coxa of right leg II, female II; F, coxa of left leg III, female II; G, seta with reduced size and unusual shape replacing a thick seta on right coxa III, male II; H, coxa of left leg IV, female I. Thickened setae on coxae II, III and IV indicated by arrows. Scale bars: 200 μm (Fig. A), 5 μm (Fig. G) and 75 μm (Figs. B–F, H).

FIGURE 6 in Three new cave-dwelling Eukoenenia (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae) from limestone caves in Northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil

FIGURE 6. Eukoenenia magna sp. nov. A, chaetotaxy of opisthosomal tergite V, holotype; B, chaetotaxy of opisthosomal sternite VI, holotype; C, chaetotaxy of opisthosomal sternite V, female II; D, cuticular orifices (pointed by arrows) on first (flipped upwards) and second genital lobes, female I. The arrows in Figs. B and C indicate two pores between a1 setae. Scale bars 20 μm.

FIGURE 11 in Three new cave-dwelling Eukoenenia (Palpigradi: Eukoeneniidae) from limestone caves in Northern Minas Gerais state, Brazil

FIGURE 11. Eukoenenia lundi sp. nov., female holotype. A, propeltidial chaetotaxy; B, metapeltidial setae; C, coxa of left pedipalp; D, coxa of left leg I; E, coxa of right leg II; F, coxa of right leg III; G, coxa of right leg IV. The thickened setae on coxae II, III and IV are indicated by arrows. Scale bars: 100 μm (Fig. A), 40 μm (Fig. B) and 60 μm (Figs. C–G).

opencc-by-sa-4.0Jul 2020View details →

Cave lynx Osteometrical Datasets from L'Escale Palaeontological site (South-East France)

Background These datasets provide osteometrical measurements for dental and postcranial remains in cave lynx from the Middle Pleistocene site of L’Escale (South-East France).  The cave lynx sample from L’Escale is probably one of the richest and most important population for the European (Middle) Pleistocene. L’Escale Cave, located about 30 km north to Aix-en-Provence, has been excavated during the 1960’s under the direction of Eugène and Marie-Françoise Bonifay. This site, dated to the first half of the Middle Pleistocene, yielded remarkable faunal associations, including abundant thar – Hemitragus bonali – remains as well as numerous and highly diverse carnivores such as the wolverine Gulo schlosseri, the « european » jaguar Panthera gombaszoegensis, the cave lynx Lynx spelaeus as well as the fossil striped hyena Hyaena prisca (Bonifay, 1971 ; Bonifay, 1974-75). L’Escale presents a unique palaeobiological record mixing phases of carnivore occupations (bears, striped hyenas?, jaguars?, wolves?, foxes) and natural trapping events (thar) (Coumont, 2006).   Method All the specimens have been described and measured (in millimeters with callipers to 0.1mm) by the authors. They are stored and curated in the MNP – Musée National de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies, Dordogne, France. Data description File title: Each file is named according to the following pattern:     • First part: abreviation of considered species (i.e., Lps = Lynx pardinus spelaeus);      • Second part: anatomical part codification:          ◦ MAND: Mandible          ◦ U: Upper / L: Lower         ◦ C: Canine / P: Premolar / M: Molar          ◦ 1 to 5: tooth or metapodials (metacarpals/metatarsals/phalanges) rank          ◦ HUM: Humerus / RAD: Radius / ULN: Ulna         ◦ FEM: Femur / TIB: Tibia         ◦ SCAPHL: Scapholunar (Carpal)         ◦ CALCA: Calcaneus (Tarsal)         ◦ TAL: Talus (Tarsal)         ◦ MTC: Metacarpals / MTT: Metatarsals File content:     • chrono: Chronology (i.e., Middle or Late Pleistocene);      • MIS: Marine Isotopic Stage (if applicable);      • species: specific (or sub-specific) identification (i.e., Lynx spelaea);      • country: Site location (i.e., France);      • site: Site name;      • label: Specimen label such as archaeological number or museum inventory number;      • side: Specimen laterality, it could be left (sin) or right (dext);      • L_cond_infra (in mm): length from the condyle process to infradental (in mm), applicable only for the mandible;     • L_angul_infra: length from the angular process to infradental (in mm), applicable only for the mandible;     • L_coron_infra: length from coronion to infradental (in mm), applicable only for the mandible;     • L_diast: Diastema length (in mm),  applicable only for the mandible;     • L_rawtth: Raw teeth length (in mm);     • H_p3: Horizontal ramus height before p3 (in mm), applicable only for the mandible;     • H_m1: Horizontal ramus height behind m1 (in mm), applicable only for the mandible;     • B_c: Horizontal ramus breadth at lower canine (in mm), applicable only for the mandible;     • B_p3: Horizontal ramus breadth before p3 (in mm), applicable only for the mandible;     • B_m1: Horizontal ramus breadth behind m1 (in mm), applicable only for the mandible;     • B: Breadth (in mm);      • L: Breadth (in mm);      • GL: Greatest length (in mm);     • Dp: Depth of the proximal end (in mm), applicable only for long bones and metapodials;     • Bp: Greatest breadth of the proximal end (in mm), applicable only for long bones and metapodials;     • Ds: Depth of the diaphysis (in mm), applicable only for long bones and metapodials;     • SD: Smallest breadth of the diaphysis (in mm), applicable only for long bones and metapodials;     • Dd: Depth of the distal end (in mm), applicable only for long bones and metapodials;     • Bd: Greatest breadth of the distal end (in mm), applicable only for long bones and metapodials;     • B_troch: Breadth of the trochlea (in mm), applicable only for the humerus;     • DPA: Depth across the processus anconaeus (in mm), applicable only for the ulna;     • SDO: Smallet depth of the olceranon (in mm), applicable only for the ulna;     • BPC: Greatest breadth across the coronoid process (in mm), applicable only for the ulna;     • GB: Greatest breadth (in mm), applicable only for carpals/tarsals;      • H: Greatest height (in mm), applicable only for carpals/tarsals;      • GD: Greatest depth (in mm), applicable only for carpals/tarsals;      • location: Curation place.  References • Bonifay, M.-F., 1974-1975. "Hemitragus bonali" Harlé et Stehlin, "Caprinae" de la grotte de l’Escale (Saint-Estève-Janson, Bouhes-du-Rhône). Quaternaria XVIII, 215–301. • Bonifay, M.-F., 1971. Carnivores quaternaires du Sud-Est de la France. Mémoires du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Sér. C – Sciences de la Terre 21, 1–334. • Coumont, M.-P., 2006. Taphonomie préhistorique : mammifères fossiles en contexte naturel, les avens-pièges, apport pour l’étude des archéofaunes. Thèse de Doctorat. Université Aix-Marseille 1, Aix-en-Provence.

FIGURES 75–86 in New troglobitic and troglophilic syntopic species of Endecous (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from a Brazilian cave: a case of sympatric speciation?

FIGURES 75–86. Morphological variations in phallic sclerites of new species of Endecous. 75–77, 81–83. Endecous (Pedroecous) didymus n. sp. (ISLA 43329, 43336* and 43338) in dorsal and dorsal view tilted posteriorly, respectively. 78–80, 84–86. Endecous (Pedroecous) troglobius n. sp. (ISLA 77745; 43342* and 77746) in dorsal and dorsal view tilted posteriorly, respectively. Legend: dashed red line indicates the internal angle average of the pseudepiphallic dorsal branch; the angle was calculate in ventral view, from the basal distance of the extension of the Ps.db with respect to the apical portion; blue slice indicate the area (mm²) of pseudepiphallic arm "field", calculated in dorsal view, inclined posteriorly; *phallic complex used in description of new species.

FIGURES 35–40 in New troglobitic and troglophilic syntopic species of Endecous (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from a Brazilian cave: a case of sympatric speciation?

FIGURES 35–40. Chromosomes of Endecous (Pedroecous) didymus n. sp. and Endecous (Pedroecous) troglobius n. sp. 35–Karyotype of E. (P.) didymus n. sp.; 36–Karyotype of E. (P.) troglobius n. sp.; 37–40. E. (P.) didymus n. sp. cell meiosis, 37–Initial Diplotene; 38–Diplotene; 39–Metaphase I; 40–Spermatogonial metaphase (polar view). Conventions: arrow indicate secondary constriction in bivalent pair 1; X=sexual chromosome; bar beside chromosome 6 indicates that the homologue was not found.

FIGURES 56–59 in New troglobitic and troglophilic syntopic species of Endecous (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from a Brazilian cave: a case of sympatric speciation?

FIGURES 56–59. Endecous (Pedroecous) troglobius n. sp. holotype's legs morphology. 56–leg III, subapical and apical spurs, outer view; 57–leg III, subapical and apical spurs, inner view; 58–leg I (outer view) and leg II (outer view, little spur (λ) apex of the tibia); 59–leg I (inner view and tympanum), and leg II (inner view, little spur (μ) apex of the tibia).

FIGURES 16-19 in New troglobitic and troglophilic syntopic species of Endecous (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from a Brazilian cave: a case of sympatric speciation?

FIGURES 16-19. Endecous (Pedroecous) didymus n. sp. holotype's legs morphology. 16–leg III, subapical and apical spurs, outer view; 17–leg III, subapical and apical spurs, inner view; 18–leg I (outer view) and leg II (outer view, little spur (λ) apex of the tibia); 19–leg I (inner view and tympanum) and leg II (inner view, little spur (μ) apex of the tibia).

FIGURES 8-15 in New troglobitic and troglophilic syntopic species of Endecous (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from a Brazilian cave: a case of sympatric speciation?

FIGURES 8-15. Endecous (Pedroecous) didymus n. sp. holotype morphology. 8–9, head in front, lateral and dorsal view, respectively; 10–pronotum, dorsal view; 11–right tegmen, dorsal view; 12–right tegmen and pronotum, lateral view; 13–subgenital and supranal plate, phallic sclerite, lateral view; 14–subgenital plate, ventral view; 15–supranal plate, dorsal view. Conventions: m., mirror; h., harp; b.f., basal field; l.f., lateral field.

FIGURE 1 in New troglobitic and troglophilic syntopic species of Endecous (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from a Brazilian cave: a case of sympatric speciation?

FIGURE 1 (A and B). (A) Type locality of Endecous species from South America (excepting Minas Gerais State); (B) Type locality of Endecous species from Minas Gerais State. (*) Uncertain locality, possibly between the border between the States of Minas Gerais and Bahia, described for the first time as "Sierra Geral".

FIGURES 20–25 in New troglobitic and troglophilic syntopic species of Endecous (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from a Brazilian cave: a case of sympatric speciation?

FIGURES 20–25. Right tegmen of Endecous (Pedroecous) didymus n. sp. in dorsal and lateral view. 20–holotype (ISLA 43330); 21–paratype (ISLA 15696); 22–paratype (ISLA 15697); 23–paratype (ISLA 43329); 24–paratype (ISLA 43336) and 25–paratype (ISLA 43338).

opencc-zeroJul 2020View details →

Data from: High detectability with low impact: Optimising large PIT tracking systems for cave-dwelling bats

Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag technology permits the 'resighting' of animals tagged for ecological research without the need for physical re-trapping. While this is effective if animals pass within centimetres of tag readers, short-distance detection capabilities have prevented the use of this technology with many species. To address this problem, we optimised a large (15 m-long) flexible antenna system to provide a c. 8 m2 vertical detection plane for detecting animals in flight. We installed antennas at two roosting caves, including the primary maternity cave, of the critically endangered southern bent-winged bat (Miniopterus orianae bassanii) in south-eastern Australia. Testing of these systems indicated PIT-tags could be detected up to 105 cm either side of the antenna plane. Over the course of a three-year study, we subcutaneously PIT-tagged 2966 bats and logged over 1.4 million unique detections, with 97% of tagged bats detected at least once. The probability of encountering a tagged bat decreased with increasing environmental 'noise' (unwanted signal) perceived by the system. During the study we mitigated initial high noise levels by earthing both systems, which contributed to an increase in daily detection probability (based on the proportion of individuals known to be alive that were detected each day) from <0.2 (noise level ≥30%) to 0.7-0.8 (noise level 5-15%). Conditional on a low (5%) noise level, model-based estimates of daily encounter probability were highest (>0.8) during peak breeding season when both female and male southern bent-winged bats congregate at the maternity cave. In this paper we detail the methods employed and make methodological recommendations for future wildlife research using large antennas, including earthing systems as standard protocol and quantifying noise metrics as a covariate influencing the probability of detection in subsequent analyses. Our results demonstrate that large PIT antennas can be used successfully to detect small volant species, extending the scope of PIT technology and enabling a much broader range of wildlife species to be studied using this approach.

opencc-zeroAug 2020View details →

Under the karst: detecting hidden subterranean assemblages using eDNA metabarcoding in the caves of Christmas Island, Australia

Subterranean ecosystems are understudied and challenging to conventionally survey given the inaccessibility of underground voids and networks. In this study, we conducted a eukaryotic environmental (eDNA) metabarcoding survey across the karst landscape of Christmas Island, (Indian Ocean, Australia) to evaluate the utility of this non-invasive technique to detect subterranean aquatic 'stygofauna' assemblages. Three metabarcoding assays targeting the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and nuclear 18S genes were applied to 159 water and sediment samples collected from 23 caves and springs across the island. Taken together, our assays detected a wide diversity of chordates, cnidarians, porifera, arthropods, molluscs, annelids and bryozoans from 71 families across 60 orders. We report a high level of variation between cave and spring subterranean community compositions which are significantly influenced by varying levels of salinity. Additionally, we show that dissolved oxygen and longitudinal gradients significantly affect biotic assemblages within cave communities. Lastly, we combined eDNA-derived community composition and environmental (water quality) data to predict potential underground interconnectivity across Christmas Island. We identified three cave and spring groups that showed a high degree of biotic and abiotic similarity indicating likely local connectivity. This study demonstrates the applicability of eDNA metabarcoding to detect subterranean eukaryotic communities and explore underground interconnectivity.

opencc-zeroAug 2020View details →

Analytic dataset informing prediction of subterranean cave and mine ambient temperatures

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.

opencc-zeroOct 2020View details →

Dental molds from: Three-dimensional dental topography and feeding ecology in the extinct cave bear

The cave bear (Ursus spelaeus s.l.) is an iconic extinct bear that inhabited the Pleistocene of Eurasia whose extinction causes are controversial. To identify the actual causes of the cave bear extinction, it is crucial to understand their feeding preferences. Here, we quantify shape descriptor metrics (DNE, RFI and OPCR) in three dimensional (3D) models of cave bear upper teeth (P4-M2) to make inferences on its controversial feeding behaviour. We use a comparative sample including representatives of all living bear species with known diets as a template. Our topographic analyses evidence that the complexity of upper tooth rows in living bears is more associated with the mechanical properties of the items consumed than with the type of food. Cave bears exhibit intermediate values on topographic metrics between those exhibited by the bamboo-feeder giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and those taken by specialists in hard-mast consumption (Ursus arctos and Ursus thibetanus). The crown topography of cave bear upper teeth suggests a high efficiency to chew on tough vegetal resources of lower-quality, and no living bear is currently exploiting it. Our results align with a climatic-driven hypothesis to explain demise in cave bear populations during the late Pleistocene.