Are the Neglected Tipuloidea Crane Flies (Diptera) an Important Component for Subterranean Environments?
Usually, biospeleological studies focus on cave-specialist taxa showing strong adaptation to the subterranean environment, as their unusual morphological and ecological features represent intriguing case studies. On the other hand, species occurring in subterranean environments but without marked ad...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Diversity |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/9/333 |
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| author | Enrico Lunghi Gentile Francesco Ficetola Yahui Zhao Raoul Manenti |
| author_facet | Enrico Lunghi Gentile Francesco Ficetola Yahui Zhao Raoul Manenti |
| author_sort | Enrico Lunghi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Usually, biospeleological studies focus on cave-specialist taxa showing strong adaptation to the subterranean environment, as their unusual morphological and ecological features represent intriguing case studies. On the other hand, species occurring in subterranean environments but without marked adaptations have been generally overlooked, probably because they are thought to be accidental and not very important for the ecosystem. Particularly exemplificative is the case of Tipuloidea crane flies (Diptera), which although abundant, are rarely considered in biospeleological studies. Here, by analyzing the crane fly occupancy, we observed that individuals occur within the shallowest areas of subterranean environments throughout the year, with a peak of presence during hot season. Crane flies occupy dark and warm areas close to the connection with surface and with smoother walls. Furthermore, we observed that the presence of crane flies is positively related to the abundance and the richness of cave predators, highlighting their importance for the sustainment of the local community. With this study we aim to stimulate future researches on these important, but still neglected cave species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:41:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dd8df54ca4ea4b6ba09483a139ad600c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:41:15Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-dd8df54ca4ea4b6ba09483a139ad600c2023-11-20T12:00:27ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182020-08-0112933310.3390/d12090333Are the Neglected Tipuloidea Crane Flies (Diptera) an Important Component for Subterranean Environments?Enrico Lunghi0Gentile Francesco Ficetola1Yahui Zhao2Raoul Manenti3Key Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaDipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, ItalyKey Laboratory of the Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, ChinaDipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, ItalyUsually, biospeleological studies focus on cave-specialist taxa showing strong adaptation to the subterranean environment, as their unusual morphological and ecological features represent intriguing case studies. On the other hand, species occurring in subterranean environments but without marked adaptations have been generally overlooked, probably because they are thought to be accidental and not very important for the ecosystem. Particularly exemplificative is the case of Tipuloidea crane flies (Diptera), which although abundant, are rarely considered in biospeleological studies. Here, by analyzing the crane fly occupancy, we observed that individuals occur within the shallowest areas of subterranean environments throughout the year, with a peak of presence during hot season. Crane flies occupy dark and warm areas close to the connection with surface and with smoother walls. Furthermore, we observed that the presence of crane flies is positively related to the abundance and the richness of cave predators, highlighting their importance for the sustainment of the local community. With this study we aim to stimulate future researches on these important, but still neglected cave species.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/9/333Diptera<i>Limonia</i><i>Limonia nubeculosa</i><i>Neolimonia</i>Trichocerideacave community |
| spellingShingle | Enrico Lunghi Gentile Francesco Ficetola Yahui Zhao Raoul Manenti Are the Neglected Tipuloidea Crane Flies (Diptera) an Important Component for Subterranean Environments? Diversity Diptera <i>Limonia</i> <i>Limonia nubeculosa</i> <i>Neolimonia</i> Trichoceridea cave community |
| title | Are the Neglected Tipuloidea Crane Flies (Diptera) an Important Component for Subterranean Environments? |
| title_full | Are the Neglected Tipuloidea Crane Flies (Diptera) an Important Component for Subterranean Environments? |
| title_fullStr | Are the Neglected Tipuloidea Crane Flies (Diptera) an Important Component for Subterranean Environments? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Are the Neglected Tipuloidea Crane Flies (Diptera) an Important Component for Subterranean Environments? |
| title_short | Are the Neglected Tipuloidea Crane Flies (Diptera) an Important Component for Subterranean Environments? |
| title_sort | are the neglected tipuloidea crane flies diptera an important component for subterranean environments |
| topic | Diptera <i>Limonia</i> <i>Limonia nubeculosa</i> <i>Neolimonia</i> Trichoceridea cave community |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/9/333 |
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