Contribution of non-troglobiotic terrestrial invertebrates to carbon input in hypogean habitats

Authors

  • Tone Novak Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška cesta 160, SI-2000 Maribor
  • Franc Janžekovič Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška cesta 160, SI-2000 Maribor
  • Saška Lipovšček Medical Faculty, University of Maribor, Slomškov trg 15, SI-2000 Maribor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v42i2-3.669

Keywords:

biomass, carbon flux, caves, non-troglobiotic species, organic carbon, respiration

Abstract

Eleven of the most important terrestrial invertebrate species in Slovenian caves were analyzed for differences in their fresh and dry biomass, energy content and carbon bulk during winter. These data were combined with the species abundance in 54 caves and adits in order to estimate their organic carbon bulk and carbon input into these habitats. In Central European caves, Troglophilus cavicola, T. neglectus, Faustina illyrica, Amilenus aurantiacus and Scoliopteryx libatrix are the most important vectors of carbon between the epigean and hypogean habitats. In contrast to the general assumption, carbon total contribution to caves via dead bodies is only 0.15% of total migratory biomass, and it is not directly available to troglobionts because of infection with entomopathogenic fungi. In winter, together with predated migratory specimens, carbon input does not exceed 0.3% of the total migratory biomass. This situation should be carefully examined in every karstic region inhabited by distinctive fauna.

Keywords: biomass, carbon flux, caves, non-troglobiotic species, organic carbon, respiration.

DOI: 10.3986/ac.v42i2-3.669

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Published

2013-12-10

How to Cite

Novak, T., Janžekovič, F., & Lipovšček, S. (2013). Contribution of non-troglobiotic terrestrial invertebrates to carbon input in hypogean habitats. Acta Carsologica, 42(2-3). https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v42i2-3.669

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 2-3 (2013)

Section

Original papers

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