Karst

Guides

Aemodogryllinae
camel crickets
Aemodogryllinae is a subfamily of Rhaphidophoridae (cave crickets or camel crickets) containing approximately sixteen genera. Members are apterous (wingless) and predominantly inhabit dark, humid microhabitats including caves, stone crevices, and karst formations. The subfamily exhibits a disjunct distribution: tribe Aemodogryllini occurs in Europe and Asia (Korea, Russia, China, Indochina), while tribe Diestramimini is restricted to India, southern China, and Indochina. The greenhouse camel cricket (Diestrammena asynamora) is cosmopolitan and invasive.
cave-crickets camel-crickets apterous karst cavernicolous invasive-species biogeography Oriental-realm Palaearctic-realm
Anthroleucosomatidae
Anthroleucosomatidae is a family of small to medium-sized millipedes in the order Chordeumatida, with approximately 19 genera and at least 40 described species. The family exhibits a core distribution centered on the Balkans and Caucasus region, extending eastward to Iran and central Siberia, with one highly disjunct North American species in Washington State. Many species are troglobionts (obligate cave-dwellers), including the world's deepest-occurring millipede, Heterocaucaseuma deprofundum, found below 2,000 meters in Krubera-Voronja Cave. The family shows exceptional diversity in the Caucasus, where 15 new genera and 36 new species were described in a single monograph.
millipede Chordeumatida cave-dwelling troglobiont Caucasus Balkans karst subterranean
Arrhopalitidae
Arrhopalitidae is a family of springtails (Collembola) in the order Symphypleona, superfamily Katiannoidea. The family includes three genera: Arrhopalites, Pygmarrhopalites, and Troglopalites. Many species are obligate cave-dwellers (troglobionts) exhibiting pronounced troglomorphy, including reduced pigmentation, elongated appendages, and modified sensory structures. The family has a sister-group relationship with Katiannidae.
springtails Collembola cave-dwelling troglobiont troglobiomorphic karst speleofauna Katiannoidea microendemic cryptic-species
Aselloidea
Waterslaters and allies
Aselloidea is a superfamily of freshwater and subterranean isopods within the suborder Asellota. Members are primarily aquatic, with many lineages adapted to life in groundwater, caves, and karst systems. The superfamily includes families such as Asellidae (common freshwater isopods), Stenasellidae, and Atlantasellidae. Some representatives exhibit remarkable morphological specializations for subterranean existence, including reduced eyes and elongated appendages.
isopod crustacean freshwater subterranean cave karst groundwater Asellota
Brackenridgia
woodlice
Brackenridgia is a genus of small terrestrial isopods (woodlice) in the family Trichoniscidae, established by Ulrich in 1902. The genus contains nine described species distributed primarily in North America, with several species exhibiting troglomorphic adaptations for cave-dwelling. Species in this genus are typically found in moist, dark microhabitats including caves, forest litter, and rocky crevices.
cave-fauna troglomorphic karst decomposer North-America isopod woodlouse Trichoniscidae
Calicina
Calicina is a genus of armored harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Phalangodidae, established by Ubick & Briggs in 1989. The genus contains more than 20 described species. Members of this genus are characterized by their heavily sclerotized body armor, a defining feature of the family Phalangodidae. These harvestmen are part of the suborder Laniatores, which includes the majority of the world's harvestman diversity.
armored-harvestmen cave-fauna karst North-America Phalangodidae Laniatores
Catopocerus
Catopocerus is a genus of small beetles in the family Leiodidae, subfamily Catopocerinae. These beetles are primarily subterranean or cave-dwelling, with reduced eyes and elongated appendages adapted to dark environments. The genus was established by Motschulsky in 1870 and contains species distributed across parts of North America and Eurasia. Members of this genus are among the most troglomorphic beetles in their family.
cave-beetle troglobite karst subterranean Leiodidae North-America Caucasus eyeless depigmented
Catopocerus appalachianus
Catopocerus appalachianus is a small beetle species in the family Leiodidae, subfamily Catopocerinae. It was described by Peck in 1975 and is endemic to the Appalachian region of the eastern United States. The species belongs to a genus characterized by reduced eyes and subterranean or cave-associated habits. Records indicate it has been collected from Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
cave-beetle troglomorphic endemic subterranean karst Appalachian
Cicurina madla
Madla Cave meshweaver, Madla's Cave Meshweaver
Cicurina madla is a federally endangered troglobitic spider endemic to karst caves in Bexar County, Texas. First described by Gertsch in 1992, it was synonymized with Cicurina venii in 2018. The species is completely eyeless and exhibits morphological adaptations to cave life, including elongated legs relative to body size. It is known from only eight to nine caves and depends on cave crickets as a food source.
troglobite endangered karst cave-spider Bexar-County Edwards-Plateau eyeless Cicurinidae
Cirolanides texensis
Cirolanides texensis is a subterranean isopod species endemic to Texas. It belongs to the family Cirolanidae, a group of predominantly aquatic isopods that includes many cave-dwelling species. The species was described in 1896 by Benedict and is known from limited observations in karst groundwater systems.
cave-dwelling subterranean endemic karst stygobiont groundwater Texas-endemic aquatic-isopod
Clivinini
Clivinini is a tribe of ground beetles (Carabidae: Scaritinae) containing over 70 genera and more than 1,200 described species. Members are predominantly soil-dwelling or subterranean, with many species adapted to endogean (buried soil) or troglobitic (cave) habitats. The tribe includes several subtribes, most notably Ardistomina (containing Aspidoglossa, Semiardistomis, and Ardistomis) and Reicheiina. Species occur across all major biogeographic regions, with significant radiations in tropical and subtropical karst systems.
ground-beetles subterranean troglobitic endogean soil-dwelling karst cave-beetles microphtalmic Scaritinae Carabidae Adephaga Coleoptera
Coecobrya
Coecobrya is a genus of springtails (Collembola: Entomobryidae) characterized by pronounced troglomorphic adaptations in cave-dwelling species. The genus includes both surface and subterranean species, with Thai cave species exhibiting the most extreme troglomorphy known for Collembola in Southeast Asia. Many species display elongated antennae, legs and furca, reduced pigmentation, and eye loss. The genus has been recorded from caves in Thailand, South Africa, and other regions, with molecular studies supporting species discrimination using COI, 16S rDNA and 28S rDNA markers.
springtail Collembola cave-dwelling troglobitic tropical karst Thailand thermal-tolerance troglomorphy
Darlingtonea
Darlingtonea is a monotypic genus of cave-dwelling ground beetles (Carabidae) containing a single species, D. kentuckensis. This trechine beetle is endemic to eastern Kentucky's karst cave systems, where it functions as a top terrestrial predator specialized for high-humidity subterranean environments. The genus exhibits extreme physiological specialization, with narrow humidity tolerance identified as a critical vulnerability to climate change.
cave-beetle troglobiont karst monotypic-genus endemic Kentucky Trechini climate-vulnerability phylogeography
Darlingtonea kentuckensis
A troglobitic cave beetle endemic to eastern Kentucky karst systems. Adults measure 7.3–7.7 mm. The species exhibits surprisingly broad thermal tolerance (threshold ~20–24°C, mortality at 30°C within 24 hours), suggesting remnant physiological characteristics from epigean ancestors. However, it shows extreme specialization for constant high-humidity environments, with survival declining dramatically below 100% relative humidity and mortality within 3 days at 50–80% RH. Population densities can exceed 100 individuals per sand bank in suitable cave habitats.
troglobite cave-beetle karst climate-vulnerability endemic predator Kentucky thermal-tolerance humidity-specialization genetic-structure cryptic-diversity
Erythroneurini
Erythroneurini is a diverse tribe of leafhoppers in the subfamily Typhlocybinae, comprising over 180 genera. The tribe has been extensively studied in the New World and southwestern China, with major taxonomic revisions published for genera including Erythroneura, Erasmoneura, Zyginama, Eratoneura, and Erythridula. Species within this tribe exhibit complex synonymies and are associated with woody deciduous vegetation.
leafhopper Typhlocybinae Cicadellidae Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha taxonomic-revision New-World China karst woody-plants deciduous-trees high-diversity extensive-synonymies
Glomeridae
pill millipedes
Glomeridae is a family of pill millipedes in the order Glomerida, comprising over 300 species distributed among approximately 30 genera. Members are characterized by their ability to conglobate (roll into a complete sphere) as a defensive mechanism. The family has a primarily Palearctic distribution with significant diversity in Southeast Asia, and includes both surface-dwelling and cavernicolous species. Many species remain undescribed, particularly in tropical regions.
millipede pill-millipede conglobation diplopoda detritivore cave-dwelling karst palearctic southeast-asia appalachians
Hemerodromia
dance flies
Hemerodromia is a genus of dance flies (family Empididae) comprising at least 170 described species. Species are primarily associated with lotic freshwater habitats, particularly streams and rivers. Several species show obligate associations with calcareous water systems and tufa formations in limestone karst regions. The genus exhibits high diversity in tropical Southeast Asia, with significant undescribed species richness anticipated.
aquatic karst tufa lotic Southeast-Asia DNA-barcoding Simuliidae-association
Lirceolus
Texas Caveslaters
Lirceolus is a genus of freshwater isopods in the family Asellidae, endemic to subterranean habitats in Texas, USA. These troglobitic crustaceans are adapted to life in caves and aquifers, showing reduced pigmentation and eye structures compared to surface-dwelling relatives. The genus was established by Bowman and Longley in 1976 to accommodate species previously assigned to other asellid genera. Known as "Texas Caveslaters," they represent an important component of the unique groundwater fauna of the Edwards Aquifer and related systems.
cave-adapted endemic troglobite groundwater Texas karst freshwater conservation-concern
Nesticidae
cave cobweb spiders, scaffold web spiders
Nesticidae is a family of spiders closely allied with Theridiidae (tangle web spiders), distinguished by a comb of serrated bristles on the hind tarsi used to pull silk bands from the spinnerets. The family contains approximately 15 genera and 280 species, with many species associated with caves, overhangs, and subterranean habitats. Members show varying degrees of troglomorphic adaptation, from fully cave-adapted troglobionts to surface-dwelling forms. The genus Nesticus, the type genus, has a global distribution and has undergone extensive radiation in montane regions.
cave-spiders troglobionts biospeleology endemic conservation scaffold-web karst subterranean
Nicoletiidae
Nicoletiidae is a family of primitive wingless insects in the order Zygentoma. Members are predominantly subterranean, inhabiting soil, caves, and mesovoid shallow substratum (MSS) environments. Many species exhibit troglobiotic adaptations including lack of eyes and pigmentation. The family contains at least four subfamilies (Atelurinae, Nicoletiinae, Cubacubaninae, Coletiniinae, Subnicoletiinae) with over 100 described genera. Some species are commensals in social insect nests, such as Allotrichotriura saevissima in fire ant nests.
subterranean troglobiont cave-adapted eyeless depigmented silverfish Zygentoma primitive-insect commensal karst conservation-concern
Opilioacaroidea
mite harvestmen, opilioacarid mites
Opilioacaroidea is a small superfamily of arachnids comprising the single family Opilioacaridae, with approximately 25 described species. These organisms represent a phylogenetically significant group, often considered the most primitive living mites due to their retention of ancestral chelicerate characteristics. They occupy an intermediate position between mites and harvestmen (Opiliones), exhibiting morphological features of both groups. Their restricted distribution and specialized habitat requirements make them among the least studied arachnids.
arachnid mite soil-fauna cave-fauna primitive tropical karst predator
Parobisium
Parobisium is a genus of poorly dispersing pseudoscorpions in the family Neobisiidae. The genus exhibits a disjunct distribution pattern occurring in western North America and eastern Asia (East Asia), but is absent from Europe and central Asia. Phylogenetic evidence indicates ancient vicariance between East Asian and North American lineages rather than recent dispersal events. Many species are troglomorphic and restricted to karst cave systems.
pseudoscorpion cave-dwelling troglobitic troglomorphic karst biogeography vicariance subterranean
Phalangodidae
Phalangodid Harvestmen
Phalangodidae is a family of small harvestmen in the suborder Laniatores, containing approximately 30 genera and more than 100 described species. Members are characterized by pedipalps armed with prominent spines and body lengths generally under 3 mm. The family is primarily distributed in the Holarctic region, with exceptional diversity in the western Nearctic, particularly California. Several species, especially in the genus Texella, are obligate cave-dwellers exhibiting troglomorphic traits such as depigmentation and reduced eyes.
harvestmen Opiliones Laniatores cave-dwelling troglobitic endangered karst Holarctic California Texas
Pseudanophthalmus
Pseudanophthalmus is a genus of small carabid beetles comprising over 200 described species, all obligate cave dwellers restricted to karst regions of the eastern United States. Species exhibit extreme short-range endemism, often confined to single caves or cave systems. The genus forms part of the Trechoblemus complex within the tribe Trechini. Many species are rare or potentially extinct due to habitat restriction and anthropogenic threats.
cave-beetle troglobite karst endemic conservation Trechini
Pseudanophthalmus tenuis
Blue River cave beetle
Pseudanophthalmus tenuis is a small, eyeless ground beetle endemic to karst cave systems in Indiana, United States. Formerly considered to contain multiple subspecies, these have been elevated to full species status under Pseudanophthalmus stricticollis. The species is part of a genus specialized for subterranean life, with reduced visual structures and elongated appendages adapted to darkness.
cave-beetle subterranean endemic karst troglomorphic Indiana eyeless ground-beetle Carabidae Pseudanophthalmus
Pseudouroctonus reddelli
Texas Cave Scorpion
Pseudouroctonus reddelli, commonly known as the Texas Cave Scorpion, is a troglobitic scorpion species first described in 1972. It belongs to the family Vaejovidae and is endemic to cave systems in Texas. The species exhibits classic cave-adapted traits including reduced pigmentation and elongated appendages. As a specialized cave dweller, it represents an important component of subterranean biodiversity in the karst regions of central Texas.
cave-adapted troglobite karst Texas-endemic subterranean scorpion arachnid
Pygmarrhopalites
A genus of springtails (Collembola: Symphypleona) in the family Arrhopalitidae. The genus was established by Vargovitsh in 2009. Multiple species have been described, including both epigean and troglobiont (cave-dwelling) forms. Some species exhibit troglomorphies including reduced pigmentation, elongated appendages, and modified foot complex.
Collembola springtails Arrhopalitidae Symphypleona troglobiont cave-fauna karst Europe North-America Caucasus endemic subterranean
Rhadine
Rhadine is a genus of ground beetles (Carabidae: Platyninae) described by LeConte in 1846. Many species are troglobitic, restricted to cave habitats in North America, particularly in Texas. Several species, including R. exilis and R. infernalis, are federally listed as endangered due to their restricted ranges and vulnerability to habitat disturbance. The genus is named after a figure from Greek mythology.
cave-beetle troglobite endangered Texas karst ground-beetle Platyninae
Scoterpes sollmani
Scoterpes sollmani is a troglobiotic millipede described by Lewis in 2000 from cave systems in southern Indiana. As a member of genus Scoterpes, it is one of multiple cave-adapted species in this exclusively troglobiotic group. The species belongs to the small family Trichopetalidae within the order Chordeumatida, a group of small-bodied millipedes. No specific morphological details distinguishing S. sollmani from congeners are provided in available sources.
troglobiont cave-dwelling karst millipede chordeumatida indiana-endemic blue-river-basin
Siro
harvestmen
Siro is a genus of cyphophthalmid harvestmen (Opiliones) in the family Sironidae. These small arachnids are characterized by their eyeless condition, elongated bodies, and association with moist microhabitats. The genus was established by Latreille in 1795 and represents one of the early-recognized lineages of the suborder Cyphophthalmi, which diverged from other harvestmen early in the evolutionary history of the order. Species in this genus are distributed primarily in the Mediterranean region and parts of Europe.
harvestmen Opiliones Cyphophthalmi eyeless cave-dwelling soil-fauna Mediterranean karst Sironidae
Speleonychia sengeri
Speleonychia sengeri is a troglobitic harvestman (order Opiliones) described by Briggs in 1974. The genus Speleonychia is endemic to cave systems in western North America. As a member of the family Cladonychiidae, this species belongs to a group of small, eyeless, pale-colored arachnids adapted to subterranean environments. Very few observations exist—only five records on iNaturalist—reflecting its restricted habitat and cryptic lifestyle.
troglobite cave-dwelling karst western-North-America rare eyeless palearachnid endemic
Styloniscidae
Styloniscidae is a family of terrestrial isopods (woodlice) within the suborder Oniscidea. The family comprises at least twelve genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, with exceptional diversity documented in Brazilian karst systems. Multiple genera contain troglobitic (exclusively cave-dwelling) species, including Xangoniscus, Cylindroniscus, Pectenoniscus, and Chaimowiczia. These cave-dwelling representatives exhibit classic troglomorphic traits: anophthalmy (eye loss), depigmentation, and elongated appendages.
woodlice terrestrial-isopods troglobitic cave-dwelling karst Brazil amphibious troglobite endemic conservation
Tetramesa
Tetramesa is a genus of minute phytophagous wasps in the family Eurytomidae comprising over 200 described species. Members are exclusively associated with grasses (Poaceae), where they typically induce stem or inflorescence galls. The genus exhibits pronounced host specificity, with most species restricted to a single grass species or closely related congeners. Several species have been deployed as biological control agents against invasive grasses, including T. romana for giant reed (Arundo donax) and candidate agents for medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula). Adults feed on nectar. Recent phylogenomic studies have synonymized the genera Aiolomorphus and Cathilaria within Tetramesa.
biological-control gall-wasp grassland invasive-species-management host-specificity cryptic-species phylogenomics Eurytomidae Chalcidoidea Hymenoptera phytophagy Poaceae stem-gall inflorescence-gall integrated-pest-management riparian-restoration molecular-systematics species-delimitation GMYC COI 28S biocontrol-agent Arundo-donax giant-reed medusahead African-lovegrass Eragrostis Sporobolus barley-jointworm integrated-taxonomy Southern-Hemisphere-diversity grassland-expansion Miocene-diversification monophagy host-range-testing non-target-effects tick-habitat cattle-fever-tick Rio-Grande Big-Bend-National-Park greenhouse-rearing oviposition-behavior water-deficit-stress generation-time parasitoid Eurytoma-amicophaga Eurytominae Walker-1848 Terebrantes Apocrita microhymenoptera minute-wasp reduced-wing-venation antennal-segmentation mesosoma-sculpture ovipositor molecular-operational-taxonomic-units MOTU species-boundaries cryptic-diversity sampling-effects SPEDE-sampler 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variety breeding selection genetic-improvement yield quality stress-tolerance nutrient-use-efficiency water-use-efficiency photosynthetic-efficiency harvest-index grain-filling source-limitation sink-limitation assimilate-transport phloem-loading phloem-unloading remobilization senescence stay-green antioxidant reactive-oxygen-species oxidative-stress heat-stress cold-stress drought-stress salinity-stress metal-stress nutrient-deficiency nutrient-toxicity soil-pH soil-texture soil-structure soil-organic-matter soil-microbial-community rhizosphere mycorrhiza nitrogen-fixation phosphorus-solubilization potassium-mobilization micronutrient-uptake allelopathy competition facilitation niche-differentiation resource-partitioning temporal-partitioning spatial-partitioning morphological-partitioning physiological-partitioning phenological-partitioning competitive-exclusion competitive-displacement priority-effect founder-effect mass-effect species-sorting neutral-theory ecological-drift dispersal-limitation environmental-filtering biotic-filtering abiotic-filtering trait-based-approach functional-trait response-trait effect-trait community-assembly community-disassembly community-reassembly succession primary-succession secondary-succession pioneer-species climax-species keystone-species ecosystem-engineer foundation-species dominant-species subordinate-species transient-species resident-species migrant-species nomadic-species irruptive-species invasive-species naturalized-species casual-species established-species spreading-species widespread-species restricted-species endemic-species cosmopolitan-species disjunct-distribution relict-distribution refugium glacial-refugium interglacial-refugium postglacial-colonization range-shift range-expansion range-contraction range-fragmentation source-population sink-population metapopulation population-viability minimum-viable-population effective-population-size genetic-rescue demographic-rescue assisted-migration managed-relocation ex-situ-conservation in-situ-conservation cryopreservation seed-bank gene-bank botanic-garden arboretum zoo aquarium microbial-culture-collection DNA-bank tissue-bank sperm-bank oocyte-bank embryo-bank reintroduction translocation reinforcement supplementation headstarting captive-breeding propagation nucleus-population release-program soft-release hard-release acclimatization habitat-preparation predator-control competitor-control disease-control parasite-control health-screening quarantine veterinary-care nutrition-management environmental-enrichment behavioral-training imprinting fostering cross-fostering hand-rearing parent-rearing semi-natural-enclosure pre-release-conditioning survival-rate reproduction-rate dispersal-rate site-fidelity homeward-orientation migration navigation orientation magnetic-sense olfactory-sense visual-sense auditory-sense mechanosensory-sense thermosensory-sense hygrosensory-sense electrosensory-sense polarized-light celestial-cues landmark-cues odor-plume wind-direction sun-compass star-compass moon-compass magnetic-compass inertial-navigation path-integration cognitive-map spatial-memory temporal-memory episodic-memory procedural-memory associative-learning operant-conditioning classical-conditioning habituation sensitization song-learning tool-use problem-solving innovation social-learning cultural-transmission teaching cooperation altruism kin-selection reciprocal-altruism group-selection multilevel-selection selfish-gene inclusive-fitness reproductive-skew dominance-hierarchy territoriality home-range activity-center den-site nest-site roost-site singing-post display-site lek arena scrape burrow cavity crevice hole tunnel gallery chamber cell comb paper-nest mud-nest silk-nest spun-cocoon pupal-case ootheca egg-mass clutch brood litter covey pack herd flock colony society superorganism eusociality cooperative-breeding communal-breeding polygyny polyandry promiscuity monogamy serial-monogamy genetic-monogamy social-monogamy extra-pair-copulation sperm-competition cryptic-female-choice sexual-selection intersexual-selection intrasexual-selection mate-choice mate-guarding mate-switching divorce widowhood mate-replacement breeding-season breeding-cycle breeding-attempt breeding-success fledging-success recruitment juvenile-survival adult-survival longevity life-expectancy maximum-lifespan aging telomere oxidative-damage mitochondrial-dysfunction cellular-senescence apoptosis necrosis autophagy proteostasis DNA-repair epigenetic-modification transgenerational-effect maternal-effect paternal-effect parental-care maternal-care paternal-care biparental-care alloparental-care brood-care egg-care larval-care pupal-care food-provisioning nest-defense territory-defense predator-defense disease-defense parasite-defense hygiene-behavior grooming nest-cleaning cannibalism siblicide infanticide filial-cannibalism sexual-cannibalism cannibalistic-oophagy trophic-egg regurgitation trophallaxis food-sharing information-sharing alarm-call mobbing distraction-display broken-wing-display tailing persecution attack escape flight fight freeze faint death-feigning tonic-immobility startle-response withdrawal avoidance dishabituation latent-inhibition blocking overshadowing relative-validity conditioned-inhibition spontaneous-recovery renewal reinstatement rapid-reacquisition latent-learning insight-learning observational-learning vicarious-learning emulation imitation social-facilitation social-inhibition audience-effect bystander-effect conformity obedience compliance commitment consistency foot-in-the-door door-in-the-face low-ball that's-not-all sunk-cost endowment-effect loss-aversion risk-aversion risk-seeking probability-weighting hyperbolic-discounting temporal-discounting intertemporal-choice optimal-foraging marginal-value-theorem prey-choice patch-choice diet-breadth central-place-foraging load-size travel-time handling-time search-time encounter-rate prey-density prey-profitability prey-handling prey-detection prey-pursuit prey-capture prey-consumption prey-rejection ingestion-rate digestion-rate assimilation-efficiency production-efficiency ecological-efficiency trophic-transfer-efficiency Lindeman-efficiency ten-percent-rule pyramid-of-numbers pyramid-of-biomass pyramid-of-energy food-chain trophic-network energy-flow material-cycling biogeochemical-cycle carbon-cycle nitrogen-cycle phosphorus-cycle sulfur-cycle water-cycle hydrological-cycle atmospheric-circulation ocean-circulation thermohaline-circulation El-Niño La-Niña ENSO NAO AO PDO AMO climate-oscillation climate-anomaly weather-extreme drought flood heat-wave cold-snap storm hurricane typhoon cyclone tornado thunderstorm lightning wildfire volcanic-eruption earthquake tsunami landslide avalanche meteor-impact mass-extinction background-extinction speciation-rate extinction-rate net-diversification turnover standing-diversity fossil-record taphonomy preservation-bias sampling-bias collection-bias publication-bias citation-bias language-bias geographic-bias temporal-bias taxonomic-bias size-bias abundance-bias habitat-bias facies-bias Lagerstätte Konservat-Lagerstätte Konzentrat-Lagerstätte trace-fossil body-fossil chemical-fossil molecular-fossil biomarker isotope-signature paleoclimate-proxy paleoecology paleobiogeography paleoecosystem paleocommunity paleoenvironment paleogeography paleolatitude paleolongitude continental-drift plate-tectonics seafloor-spreading subduction orogeny mountain-building basin-formation sedimentation erosion weathering soil-formation pedogenesis horizon-development profile-development chronosequence toposequence biosequence climosequence landform geomorphology topography relief elevation slope aspect curvature roughness drainage watershed catchment basin subbasin reach segment zone riffle pool run glide cascade waterfall wetland marsh swamp bog fen mire peatland tundra taiga boreal-forest temperate-forest temperate-rainforest temperate-grassland tropical-forest tropical-rainforest tropical-dry-forest tropical-savanna tropical-grassland desert hot-desert cold-desert semiarid steppe prairie pampas veld savanna woodland shrubland chaparral maquis garigue fynbos kwongan mallee mulga mogote karst cave sinkhole doline polje uvala ponor spring seep oasis wadi arroyo gully ravine canyon gorge valley dale glen strath rift graben horst fault fold anticline syncline monocline dome plateau mesa butte escarpment bluff cliff crag tor inselberg bornhardt kopje hill knoll mound ridge spur saddle pass col gap notch cleft fissure joint bedding-plane foliation lineation cleavage schistosity gneissic-banding magma lava igneous-rock sedimentary-rock metamorphic-rock mineral crystal grain texture structure fabric composition chemistry mineralogy petrology geochemistry geophysics geochronology radiometric-dating isotopic-dating dendrochronology varve-chronology lichenometry archaeomagnetism paleomagnetism thermoluminescence optically-stimulated-luminescence electron-spin-resonance cosmogenic-nuclide exposure-dating burial-dating terrestrial-cosmogenic-nuclide in-situ-cosmogenic-nuclide meteoric-cosmogenic-nuclide fallout-radionuclide lead-210 cesium-137 plutonium americium radiocarbon carbon-14 calibration-curve intcal marine-reservoir-effect terrestrial-reservoir-effect hard-water-effect contamination pretreatment combustion graphitization accelerator-mass-spectrometry liquid-scintillation-counting gas-proportional-counting beta-counting gamma-spectrometry alpha-spectrometry mass-spectrometry inductively-coupled-plasma-mass-spectrometry thermal-ionization-mass-spectrometry secondary-ion-mass-spectrometry laser-ablation-inductively-coupled-plasma-mass-spectrometry electron-microprobe scanning-electron-microscopy transmission-electron-microscopy light-microscopy confocal-microscopy fluorescence-microscopy polarizing-microscopy phase-contrast-microscopy differential-interference-contrast-microscopy dark-field-microscopy bright-field-microscopy stereomicroscopy dissecting-microscopy microtomy sectioning staining mounting embedding fixation preservation collection curation vouchering repository herbarium museum archive database registry catalogue checklist inventory survey monitoring assessment evaluation appraisal audit review synthesis rapid-review scoping-review narrative-review critical-review state-of-the-art-review literature-review bibliometric-analysis citation-analysis co-citation-analysis bibliographic-coupling co-authorship-analysis collaboration-network knowledge-map concept-map ontology taxonomy classification nomenclature typification designation description diagnosis illustration measurement morphometry meristics count ratio index score rank grade scale level category class group set subset cluster clade lineage branch stem crown root node tip terminal internal basal derived ancestral plesiomorphic apomorphic synapomorphic autapomorphic homologous homoplastic convergent parallel reversal gain loss duplication deletion insertion inversion fusion fission polyploidy aneuploidy chromosome-number genome-size gene-number transcriptome proteome metabolome lipidome glycome interactome phenome connectome epigenome microbiome virome mycobiome bacteriome phytobiome rhizobiome endobiome ectobiome parasitome pathobiome diseasome toxome exposome foodome nutriome pharmacome toxicome adverse-outcome-pathway mode-of-action mechanism-of-action target-site receptor-binding enzyme-inhibition ion-channel-blockade membrane-disruption DNA-intercalation inflammation cell-differentiation cell-migration cell-adhesion cell-signaling signal-transduction gene-expression transcription translation post-translational-modification protein-folding protein-degradation protein-trafficking vesicle-transport exocytosis endocytosis phagocytosis pinocytosis mitophagy pexophagy ribophagy ER-phagy lysophagy lipophagy glycophagy ferritinophagy aggrephagy xenophagy entosis cytosis syncytium plasmodesmata gap-junction tight-junction adherens-junction desmosome hemidesmosome focal-adhesion cell-polarity cell-asymmetry cell-division mitosis meiosis cytokinesis karyokinesis chromosome-segregation spindle-assembly checkpoint DNA-replication DNA-recombination transposition retrotransposition horizontal-gene-transfer vertical-gene-transfer endosymbiosis symbiogenesis holobiont hologenome extended-phenotype niche-construction ecosystem-engineering keystone-process ecological-function ecosystem-function ecosystem-good natural-capital natural-resource renewable-resource non-renewable-resource common-pool-resource public-good private-good club-good externality market-failure government-failure policy-failure institutional-failure tragedy-of-the-commons free-rider collective-action social-dilemma prisoner's-dilemma chicken-game assurance-game coordination-game zero-sum-game positive-sum-game negative-sum-game win-win lose-lose win-lose Pareto-optimal Pareto-improvement Kaldor-Hicks-improvement cost-benefit-analysis cost-effectiveness-analysis multi-criteria-decision-analysis decision-support-system expert-system knowledge-based-system rule-based-system case-based-reasoning machine-learning deep-learning neural-network random-forest support-vector-machine decision-tree regression-tree classification-tree clustering-algorithm dimensionality-reduction feature-selection feature-extraction pattern-recognition image-analysis signal-processing time-series-analysis spatial-analysis geographic-information-system remote-sensing satellite-imagery aerial-photography drone-imagery LiDAR radar sonar seismic geophysical geochemical biogeochemical ecoinformatics bioinformatics computational-biology systems-biology synthetic-biology biotechnology nanotechnology genetic-engineering genome-editing CRISPR TALEN zinc-finger-nuclease transgenic cisgenic intragenic subgenic agrobacterium-mediated-transformation biolistics electroporation microinjection protoplast-fusion somatic-hybridization cybrid asymmetric-hybrid synthetic-polyploid doubled-haploid haploid-induction anther-culture microspore-culture ovule-culture embryo-culture endosperm-culture protoplast-culture cell-culture tissue-culture organ-culture shoot-culture root-culture callus-culture suspension-culture bioreactor hairy-root-culture transformation hardening micropropagation clonal-propagation meristem-culture shoot-tip-culture axillary-bud-culture nodal-culture leaf-culture petiole-culture stem-culture internode-culture rhizome-culture bulb-culture corm-culture tuber-culture seed-culture zygotic-embryo-culture somatic-embryo-culture somatic-embryogenesis organogenesis caulogenesis rhizogenesis adventitious-shoot-formation direct-regeneration indirect-regeneration primary-metabolism secondary-metabolism biosynthesis biotransformation bioconversion biodegradation bioremediation phytoremediation mycoremediation zooremediation bioaugmentation biostimulation natural-attenuation monitored-natural-attenuation engineered-natural-attenuation permeable-reactive-barrier pump-and-treat soil-vapor-extraction air-sparging thermal-desorption incineration landfilling containment capping slurry-wall grout-curtain sheet-piling clay-liner geomembrane geotextile geogrid geocomposite geosynthetic geofabric geonet geocell geopipe geostrip geofoam geobag geotube geocontainer geomat geoblanket geospacer geodrain geoinjection geogrout geopier geocolumn geopile geowall geoberm geotrench geocut geofill geolift geoslab geopanel geoblock geobrick geotile geopaver geoweb geomattress geocushion
Texella
cave harvestmen, Texella harvesters
Texella is a genus of armored harvestmen (Opiliones: Phalangodidae) containing more than 20 described species. The genus is endemic to cave and karst systems of central Texas, where species exhibit varying degrees of troglomorphy. Several species, including T. reyesi and T. reddelli, are federally endangered due to extreme habitat restriction. Genetic studies reveal strong population structuring aligned with geologic karst fauna regions.
cave-dwelling troglomorphic endemic endangered karst central-Texas conservation-genetics
Trechini
Trechini is a large and diverse tribe of small ground beetles in the family Carabidae, comprising over 270 genera and more than 2,400 described species worldwide. Members are typically diminutive, often less than 5 mm in length, with many species measuring 1 mm or less. The tribe exhibits remarkable habitat breadth, occurring in terrestrial, subterranean, and high-altitude mountain environments across all continents except Antarctica, though fossil evidence indicates former presence there. Trechini includes numerous cave-adapted lineages, making it the most diverse and cave-specialized group among Carabidae tribes in subterranean habitats.
Carabidae ground-beetles cave-beetles troglobites subterranean high-altitude endemic Gondwanan karst alpine
Trichoniscidae
Trichoniscidae is a family of terrestrial isopods (woodlice) notable for containing the most abundant British woodlouse, *Trichoniscus pusillus*. The family exhibits exceptional ecological diversity, with many species occupying subterranean habitats in karst regions across Europe, while others have secondarily adapted to aquatic or amphibious lifestyles. Multiple genera contain troglobiotic (obligate cave-dwelling) species, particularly in the Dinaric Karst, which harbors significant diversity of this family. Some species demonstrate unique morphological adaptations for cave life, including elongated appendages and modified mouthparts.
isopod woodlouse cave-dwelling troglobite karst detritivore European-fauna subterranean