A trait database and updated checklist for European subterranean spiders

Scientific Data, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 9(1)

Опубликована: Май 26, 2022

Abstract Species traits are an essential currency in ecology, evolution, biogeography, and conservation biology. However, trait databases unavailable for most organisms, especially those living difficult-to-access habitats such as caves other subterranean ecosystems. We compiled expert-curated database spiders Europe using both literature data (including grey published many different languages) direct morphological measurements whenever specimens were available to us. started by updating the checklist of European spiders, now including 512 species across 20 families, which at least 192 have been found uniquely habitats. For each these species, we 64 traits. The encompasses measures, several related adaptation, ecological referring habitat preference, dispersal, feeding strategies. By making freely available, open up opportunities exploring research questions, from quantification functional dimensions adaptation study spatial patterns diversity caves.

Язык: Английский

---

EGCop: An Expert‐Curated Occurrence Dataset of European Groundwater‐Dwelling Copepods (Crustacea: Copepoda)

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 34(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Motivation Subterranean biodiversity is increasingly threatened by multiple intertwined anthropogenic impacts, including habitat loss, pollution, overexploitation of resources, biological invasions and climate change. Worryingly, subterranean still poorly represented in conservation agendas, also due to persisting gaps our knowledge the organisms thriving often‐secluded difficult‐to‐access ecosystems. This even more apparent for small‐sized (body size < 1 mm) groundwater‐dwelling metazoans, among which copepods (Crustacea: Copepoda) represent dominant group terms both species richness biomass. We present a dataset 6986 occurrence records 588 species/subspecies European obligate copepods. curated all make their taxonomy consistent with current systematics Copepoda, while assessing uncertainty geographic coordinates coupling in‐depth web literature searches GIS analyses. suggest data provided can be used explore range eco‐evolutionary questions—from drivers distribution groundwater fauna assembly communities—as well as prompt more. Main Types Variables Contained Occurrence copepods, details about specimen taxonomy, source record, locality type. Spatial Location Grain Geographical Europe (including western Russian Federation), along Turkey Georgia. were assigned projected (EPSG:3035) at 100 m resolution but varying spatial uncertainty. Time Period 1907–2017. Major Taxa Level Measurement Crustacea: Copepoda. Most have species‐level identification, some them are identified subspecies level. Software Format Comma‐separated values file (.csv) Excel (.xlsx), UTF‐8 encoding meta‐data following Darwin Core standard.

Язык: Английский

---

Exploring the Factors Driving the Success of Urban-Exploiting Spiders

The Quarterly Review of Biology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 100(1), С. 5 - 28

Опубликована: Фев. 11, 2025

Язык: Английский

---

The genome sequence of a cave spider, Troglohyphantes excavatus Fage, 1919

Wellcome Open Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 10, С. 177 - 177

Опубликована: Апрель 8, 2025

We present a genome assembly from female Troglohyphantes excavatus (cave spider; Arthropoda; Arachnida; Araneae; Linyphiidae). The sequence has total length of 1,028.29 megabases. Most the (94.43%) is scaffolded into 13 chromosomal pseudomolecules. mitochondrial also been assembled, with 14.82 kilobases.

Язык: Английский

---

A collaborative backbone resource for comparative studies of subterranean evolution: The World Asellidae database

Molecular Ecology Resources, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 24(1)

Опубликована: Окт. 21, 2023

Abstract Transition to novel environments, such as groundwater colonization by surface organisms, provides an excellent research ground study phenotypic evolution. However, interspecific comparative studies on evolution life are few because of the challenge in assembling large ecological and molecular resources for species‐rich taxa comprised subterranean species. Here, we make available scientific community operational set working tools Asellidae, a family freshwater isopods containing hundreds First, release World Asellidae database (WAD) its web application, sustainable FAIR solution producing sharing data biological material. WAD access thousands species occurrences, specimens, DNA extracts sequences with rich metadata ensuring full traceability. Second, perform large‐scale dated phylogenetic reconstruction support analyses. Of 424 terminal branches, identify 34 pairs representing independent replicates transition from water groundwater. Third, exemplify usefulness documenting shifts associated habitats. We provide first phylogenetically controlled evidence that body size males decreases relative females upon colonization, suggesting competition rare receptive selects smaller, more agile By making these widely accessible, open up new opportunities exploring how traits evolve response changes selective pressures trade‐offs during colonization.

Язык: Английский

---

A dark side of conservation biology: Protected areas fail in representing subterranean biodiversity

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 16(5), С. 674 - 683

Опубликована: Июль 14, 2023

Abstract Biodiversity conservation is a central imperative of the 21st century. Subterranean ecosystems deliver critical nature's contributions to people and harbour broad diversity poorly understood specialised organisms. However, subterranean biome still largely overlooked in global biodiversity targets. We assessed how well represented protected areas (Natura 2000 Emerald networks) two hotspots (the Pyrenees Alps). For this, we used comprehensive databases terrestrial taxa, that is, leiodids (beetles) from spiders Alps, identified priority each region using both species richness geographic rarity patterns. Our results show incapacity surface‐protected area networks represent biodiversity, as more than 70% 90% (and 40% 22% species) are not effectively covered by respectively. These findings call for developing an urgent plan within European Strategy 2030.

Язык: Английский

---

Behavioural adjustments enable the colonization of subterranean environments

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 201(2), С. 549 - 559

Опубликована: Окт. 3, 2023

Abstract Specialized subterranean species are iconic examples of convergent evolution driven by environmental constraints, representing an ideal model system for eco-evolutionary studies. However, scientific research on the behavioural adaptations organisms has lagged and is biased mostly towards a few species. Through systematic literature review, we aimed to assess quantitatively whether congruent traits among exists. We considered four types behaviours (exploratory, feeding, social anti-predator) tested predictions about their occurrence with different degrees adaptation environments. argue that these constitute earliest three main ecological factors characterizing habitats, namely constant darkness, limited food resources reduced predator pressure. Darkness selects individuals rely non-visual cues explore surroundings, track locate potential sexual partners. The availability promotes high foraging plasticity deters from adopting aggressive conspecifics. pressure allows abandon specific anti-predator permits safer execution biological activities. Our analyses show likely represent result early realm.

Язык: Английский

---

Functional convergence underground? The scale‐dependency of community assembly processes in European cave spiders

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 33(6)

Опубликована: Март 29, 2024

Abstract Aim Quantifying the relative contribution of environmental filtering versus limiting similarity in shaping communities is challenging because these processes often act simultaneously and their effect scale‐dependent. Focusing on caves, island‐like natural laboratories with limited variability species diversity, we tested: (i) determining community assembly caves; (ii) how driving forces changes along gradients. Location Europe. Time period Present. Major taxa studied Subterranean spiders. Methods We used data distribution traits for European cave spiders ( n = 475 communities). estimated trait space each using probabilistic hypervolumes, obtained estimations functional richness independent via null modelling. model diversity change gradients generalized dissimilarity Results Sixty‐three percent subterranean spider exhibited a prevalence underdispersion. However, most displayed dispersion that did not depart significantly from random, suggesting were both exerting equally weak or strong, yet opposing influences. Overdispersed primarily concentrated southern latitudes, particularly Dinaric karst, where there greater habitat availability. Pairwise comparisons across caves revealed effects to be strongly scale‐dependent, largely varying development, elevation, precipitation, entrance size annual temperature range. Conversely, geographical distance weakly affected composition, convergence among are far apart. Main conclusions Even systems stringent conditions maintain potential differentiation, especially areas Yet, influence scale, clear The interplay may explain species‐poor displaying high specialization.

Язык: Английский

---

In the land of the blind: Exceptional subterranean speciation of cryptic troglobitic spiders of the genus Tegenaria (Araneae: Agelenidae) in Israel

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 183, С. 107705 - 107705

Опубликована: Янв. 25, 2023

Язык: Английский

---

From caves to continents: phylogeography and niche shift of an invasive subterranean spider

Опубликована: Март 1, 2024

Invasive non-native species are recognized as a serious threat to the native biodiversity of areas they colonize. The subterranean spider Howaia mogera (Yaginuma 1972) (syn. Nesticella ) is considered highly invasive rapidly expanding its geographical range from Asia across European continent and remote oceanic islands. Due preference for moist, dark, climatically stable habitats, including caves, this represents potential endemic fauna living in forest litter environments. Nevertheless, origin, biogeography, patterns colonization, niche H. remain unexplored. In study, we reconstructed phylogeography combining multi-locus phylogenetic analysis modeling approach. Our results confirm center origin southern China, where naturally spread diversified eastern during Pleistocene Epoch. Its expansion into occurred only recently, possibly consequence human-mediated passive transportation conjunction with shift habitat species. Non-native populations have shifted an original lifestyle more generalist conditions. This change has allowed them exploit wider breadth habitats facilitated their Europe Yet, retention preferences these poses conservation specialized fragile ecosystems, which can efficiently invaded areas. study underscores importance comprehending dynamics predict manage future expansions. We further highlight urgency monitoring 's worldwide, particularly Southern Europe, protect ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

---