The Occurrence of Fungi in the Recently Discovered Jarkowicka Cave in the Karkonosze Mts. (Poland)

Our study is one of the very few cases of speleomycological research in recently discovered caves. The aim of this research was to assess the population size of fungal colonies and their species composition in the Jarkowicka cave, discovered in 2012. The air samples were taken from one location outside the cave and from two locations inside of it. Mycological evaluation of the rocks inside the cave was performed usingswab sampling procedure. In the Jarkowicka cave we found 22 species of fungi, including 13 isolated from air at the entrance and from the walls, and 8 species from air inside the cave. Cladosporium spp. were the fungi most frequently isolated from internal atmosphere of the Jarkowicka cave, and from the external air. On the other hand, the fungi most frequently isolated from the rocks were Mucor spp. We found several species not yet described as cave inhabitants: Hypocrea pachybasioides, Cladosporium uredinicola, and Embellisia abundans. Our study may provide a basis for comparison to other similar studies conducted in frequently visited caves by tourists.     

Photophilic behaviour in surface- and cave-dwelling Atlantic mollies Poecilia mexicana (Poeciliidae)

The phototactic behaviour of surface- and cave-dwelling Atlantic mollies Poecilia mexicana was examined. Surface-dwelling Atlantic mollies, as well as light- and dark-reared cave fish showed photophilic behaviour under all light intensities used (620, 50 and 3 lx).     

Description of Triplophysa luochengensis sp. nov. (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from a karst cave in Guangxi,China

A new cave‐dwelling fish Triplophysa luochengensis is described based on specimens collected from a karst cave in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, that is interconnected to the Hongshui River drainage. The species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: eyes degenerated, anal fin with six branched rays, caudal fin with 16–17 branched rays, pectoral‐fin length 72·4–95·8% of the distance between pectoral‐fin origin and pelvic‐fin origin, lateral head length 26·2–28·2% of standard length (L_S), eye diameter 7·5–8·6 of L_S, body covered by sparse scales, lateral line complete and 7–8 pre‐operculo‐mandibular pores. Dark pigments irregularly present on dorsum of head, dorsum and flank.     

中国洞穴蜘蛛多样性及其对洞穴环境的适应

对中国洞穴蜘蛛的多样性、地理分布信息进行了详细的闸述.初步探讨了洞穴蜘蛛对洞穴环境的适应性特征及其进化机制.我国洞穴蜘蛛目前已知16科27属80种,其巾暗蛛科、弱蛛科、泰莱蛛科和巨蟹蛛科物种最多;在属级阶元上,以弱蛛属Leptoneta14种、泰莱蛛属Telema lO种、龙角蛛属Draamar如和巾遁蛛属Sinopoda各9种,宽隙蛛属Platocoelotes 8种居多.我国洞穴蜘蛛主要集中分布在贵卅、海南、云南、北京、浙江、广西等喀斯特洞穴较为密集地区,在河北、河南、湖北和湖南也有部分报道.在不同地区分布的洞穴蜘蛛类群或优势类群及区系成分等都存在较大差异.洞穴蜘蛛中约有20%～30%的种类凶为长期生活在黑暗无光、食物匮乏以及缺乏温度和光周期的季节调节等特殊环境,出现了一些地表生境蜘蛛类群中所没有的刘洞穴环境的适应性特征,如缺乏体色素、眼退化共至无眼、附肢延长、全身牛有很多具较敏锐触觉和嗅觉功能的感觉毛、繁殖无季节性、耗氧量降低而新陈代谢缓慢、代谢率降低、产牛的后代少、单个卵粒包含更多的营养等.     

贵州屯上洞洞穴动物对5种重金属富集的研究

2009年7月对贵州施秉县屯上洞洞穴动物进行了调查.共获动物标本454号,隶属3门9纲16目19科20种.对7个动物类群(鲤鱼、泥鳅、红点齿蟾、小戴溪蟹、盲蛛、常雕囊马陆和斑灶马)、洞穴土壤和洞穴水的重金属含量进行了测定,对各动物类群重金属富集系数和洞穴土壤的污染指数进行了评价.结果显示动物体内对重金属镉(Cd)和铜(Cu)有明显的富集.各元素在3个光带(有光带、弱光带和无光带)土壤中的平均值含量中镉(Cd)和汞(Hg)超过了我国的土壤背景值,按顺序排列为:Cu>Pb>As>Hg>Cd;水体中为:As>Cu>Pb>Hg>Cd.单项污染指数显示Cd为轻污染(1.4);Hg为中污染(2.93).综合污染指数显示3个光带的污染系数平均值为1.22,属于轻污染,说明该洞虽有重金属污染但并不严重.     

Troglomorphic Sculpins of the Cottus Carolinae Species Group in Perry County, Missouri: Distribution, External Morphology, and Conservation Status

The existence of cavernicolous sculpin (here allocated to Cottus carolinae, banded sculpin, and referred to as grotto sculpin), in the karst regions of Perry County, Missouri, first came to our attention in 1991. Examination of 35 caves in Missouri, 96 in Illinois, 17 in Tennessee, two in Indiana, and 11 in Arkansas revealed that banded sculpin are common in cave habitats; however, grotto sculpin are limited to two karst areas of Perry County, Missouri, where they are known from only six cave systems. These caves and their streams are extensive and apparently provide a unique habitat compared to other karst systems; this may be a critical factor in the present restricted distribution of the grotto sculpin. Grotto sculpin occupy pools and riffles of cave streams, and occur over a variety of substrates, from sediment to breakdown. Density estimates in Mystery and Running Bull caves were 0.29 and 0.63 individuals m^-2, respectively. Grotto sculpin have small eyes (1–6% SL vs. 6–10% SL in epigean samples), significantly reduced pigmentation (including nearly complete loss of dorsal saddles), a reduction in pelvic fin ray number (from 4+4 elements to often 4+3 , or 3+3), and enlarged cephalic lateralis pores (e.g., mandibular pores of cavernicolous samples are 2–3 times those of epigean stream samples). Multivariate analyses of body shape revealed statistically significant separation of epigean and hypogean samples, with eye size highly variable, but smallest in the Running Bull Cave population. We interpret these results as representative of losses associated with long-term cave habitation. Caves of Perry County provide ample habitat for grotto sculpin, but because the caves are located downgradient of the city of Perryville and an intensively farmed landscape, point and non-point source pollution threaten their continued existence. Escape of farm-pond fishes through the extensive sinkhole network in Perry County has increased potential predation pressure on grotto sculpin by channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and other species normally excluded from cave environments.     

Prey attraction by larvae of the New Zealand glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa (Diptera: Mycetophilidae)

Abstract. The hypothesis that bioluminescence produced by larvae of the New Zealand glow-worm, Arachnocampa luminosa , attracts prey was tested experimentally in Reserve Cave, Waitomo, New Zealand, and in its bush-clad entrance over a total of 200 days during winter, spring, and summer. We compared catches on transparent adhesive traps placed either over glowworms or over areas from which glowworms had been removed. Adhesive traps over glowworms caught significantly more invertebrates per trap per day than did control traps. Glowworms in bush attracted greater numbers and types of invertebrates than did glowworms in the cave. Diptera predominated in both bush (86% of the total catch) and cave (89%). Also caught were small numbers of Araneae, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Trichoptera, Gastropoda, Acarina, and Neuroptera—listed in order of abundance—but no adults of A. luminosa were caught. Glowworms under adhesive traps survived with little or no food for up to 78 days.     

Correlation between the animal community structure and environmental factors in Jialiang and Boduo caves of Guizhou Province, China

1045 samples collected in Boduo cave belong to 3 phyla, 6 classes, 13 orders, 27 families and 45 species or groups. 469 samples collected in Jialiang cave were subordinated to 3 phyla, 6 classes, 9 orders, 24 families and 52 species or groups. According to the analysis of the community diversity, the communities that have the highest values of richness, diversity, maximum diversity, evenness, dominance and community similarity are D (8.3223), D (3.4677), D (3.8286), D (0.9057), C (0.0404) and D-E (0.6611), respectively. According to the analysis of Pearson correlation, the content of organic matter in soil is strongly positively related to species number, species richness, community diversity and maximum community diversity, and is significantly positively related to the evenness. The content of CO2 in air is opposite to the above result and is negatively related to species number, species richness, community diversity, maximum community diversity and evenness. The results indicate that the contents of organic matter and CO2 are the important factors influencing the community structure of cave animals.     

贵州龙洞和万家洞内部分环境因子与动物群落结构的相关性

分别在2005年的10月和2006年的2月赴遵义龙洞和万家洞对肉眼见到的软体动物、节肢动物和脊索动物进行了观察和采集,在龙洞共获标本454号,隶属3门6纲13目20科29种或类群;在万家洞共获标本1726号,隶属3门7纲11目18科22种或类群。根据两洞内各光带中动物种类和数量组成不同,将其划分为6个动物群落,经群落多样性分析,物种丰富度、群落多样性、最大多样性、均匀度、优势度和相似性指数最高的分别是群落A(3.1932)、C(2.0788)、A(2.8332)、B(0.7828)、E(0.3789)和B-E(1.7854)。此外还研究了部分环境因子与群落多样性的相关性。结果显示,土壤中有机质的含量与群落多样性指数呈极显著正相关,相关系数为0.828(双尾显著性检验≤0.05);空气中CO2的含量与物种数、物种丰富度指数、群落多样性指数、群落最大多样性指数和群落优势度指数都成不显著负相关,相关系数分别为-0.160、-0.263、-0.072、-0.117和-0.031。由此证明土壤有机质的含量和空气中CO2的含量是影响洞穴动物群落变化的重要因子。     

Correlation between the animal community structure and environmental factors in Jialiang and Boduo caves of Guizhou Province, China

1045 samples collected in Boduo cave belong to 3 phyla, 6 classes, 13 orders, 27 families and 45 species or groups. 469 samples collected in Jialiang cave were subordinated to 3 phyla, 6 classes, 9 orders, 24 families and 52 species or groups. According to the analysis of the community diversity, the communities that have the highest values of richness, diversity, maximum diversity, evenness, dominance and community similarity are D (8.3223), D (3.4677), D (3.8286), D (0.9057), C (0.0404) and D-E (0.6611), respectively. According to the analysis of Pearson correlation, the content of organic matter in soil is strongly positively related to species number, species richness, community diversity and maximum community diversity, and is significantly positively related to the evenness. The content of CO2 in air is opposite to the above result and is negatively related to species number, species richness, community diversity, maximum community diversity and evenness. The results indicate that the contents of organic matter and CO2 are the important factors influencing the community structure of cave animals.     

贵州紫烟洞和莲花洞动物群落结构及环境因子的影响

2006年7月对贵州省织金县紫烟洞和莲花洞内肉眼可见的软体动物、节肢动物和脊索动物进行了观察和标本的采集,紫烟洞共获标本661个,隶属3门5纲32科68种或类群。莲花洞共获标本265个,隶属3门5纲18科25种或类群。根据2洞内各光带中动物种类组成和数量不同,将其划分为6个动物群落：紫烟洞有光带（ZY1）、紫烟洞弱光带（ZY2）、紫烟洞黑暗带（ZY3）、莲花洞有光带（LH1）、莲花洞弱光带（LH2）和莲花洞黑暗带（LH3）。群落多样性分析表明,丰富度、多样性、最大多样性、均匀度、优势度指数最高的群落分别是ZY1、ZY1、ZY1、LH1、ZY1。通过主成分分析,研究了环境因子对2洞穴内动物群落结构的影响,结果表明,影响程度由大到小依次为土壤中Ca含量、温度、湿度、N2、O2、水中Ca含量、CO2、pH值和土壤中有机质含量。其中湿度和CO2为负影响。     

Biomineralization Potential of Bacillus subtilis,Rummeliibacillus Stabekisii and Staphylococcus Epidermidis Strains In Vitro Isolated from Speleothems,Khasi Hill Caves,Meghalaya, India

Microorganisms were isolated and identified from speleothems at Khasi hill caves, Meghalaya. The aim was to understand their biomineralization potential. Analyses of the speleothems from Krem Soitan, Krem Mawpun, and Krem Lawbah using scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed evidences for microbe–mineral interactions. SEM showed microbial reticulate and beaded filaments, cells, fiber calcites, and clusters of coccoid-like structures. A total of 113 bacterial strains were isolated and identified by a combination of conventional and molecular based tools. 105 strains that were sequenced belonged to the genus: Bacillus, Rummeliibacillus, Staphylococcus, and Brevibacterium. The BLASTn sequence search of 16S rRNA sequences with the National Centre for Biotechnology Information database to establish the identity of the strains yielded similarity scores of ≥99% with the respective organisms. The strains were identified as Bacillus simplex, Bacillus gaemokensis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus albus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus weihenstephanensis, Rummeliibacillus stabekisii, Bacillus wiedmannii, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Rummeliibacillus pycnus, Kurthia zopfii, and Brevibacterium frigoritolerans. These strains were tested for biomineralization on B-4 medium. Five strains (B. subtilis, R. stabekisii, Staphylococcus epiderdimis, B. cereus, and B. wiedmannii) had the capability to precipitate biominerals in vitro. B. subtilis, R. stabekisii, and S. epidermidis precipitated 0.24, 0.36, and 0.35 g/L of biominerals at 22°C at the end of the four week experiment period. These strains increased the pH of the medium from 7 to 8.95. The precipitated biominerals were imaged using an ultra-high resolution field emission SEM. X-ray diffraction of the biomineral precipitated by R. stabekisii showed that it was composed of vaterite and jungite. Whereas S. epidermidis showed that it was composed of calcite, vaterite, and jungite. B. subtilis produced small, circular calcite crystals. This is the first comprehensive report on the possible evidences about the role of R. stabekisii and S. epidermidis in calcite precipitation isolated from speleothems in the Indian caves. These results allow us to postulate that the identified strains have biomineralization potential. Further evidences of the coexistence of exopolysaccharides, whisker fiber calcites, microbial filaments, and coccoid-like forms point to biogenic inputs in the cave mineral formations.     

Anostracans in dark sections of Saudi Arabian caves

Anostracans were found living in ephemeral pools in the dark sections of three caves on the As Summan Plateau in Saudi Arabia. Branchipus schaefferi Fischer, 1834 occurred alone in one while it cohabited with Streptocephalus torvicornisbucheti Daday, 1910 in a second cave; fairy shrimps were observed but not collected from the third. None of the specimens demonstrated any of the types of morphological changes typically associated with cave adapted species. This is likely due to continuing colonization of the pools during flooding events. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Isolation and characterization of five microsatellite loci in Dolichopoda cave crickets (Orthoptera Rhaphidophoridae)

Five microsatellite loci are described for the cave cricket genus Dolichopoda. Preliminary data on allelic variation of these loci are presented for one population of D. schiavazzii and one population of D. laetitiae to test their usefulness in fine‐scale studies of the genetic aspect of cave colonization. Cross‐species amplifications were carried out in four other Dolichopoda species and in two species belonging to another cave cricket genus (Troglophilus) to test the potential use of these microsatellite markers in studies of both congeneric species and species belonging to the same family.     

Two new species of harvestmen (Opiliones,Eupnoi, Neopilionidae) from Waitomo,New Zealand

Two new species of harvestman (Opiliones: Neopilionidae: Enantiobuninae) are described from the Waitomo region of the North Island, New Zealand, Forsteropsalis bona sp. n. and F. photophaga sp. n. Both have been collected within caves in the region, where predation on glow-worms Arachnocampa luminosa has been previously recorded for one or both species (misidentified as ‘Megalopsalis tumida’). However, both are regarded as troglophiles rather than strict troglobites due to the presence of specimens outside the cave systems, and the absence of troglobitic adaptations. Megalopsalis tumida (Forster, 1944) is identified as a junior synonym of Forsteropsalis fabulosa (Phillipps & Grimmett, 1932).     

Microbial Characteristics of a Submerged Karst Cave System in Northern Florida

Karst aquifer systems contain submerged caves that act as conduits for subterranean water flow and are subject to rapid surface recharge at points such as sink holes and submerging streams. We examined the microbial communities in six conduits of the Northern Florida Wakulla Springs cave system and in several hydrologically connected surface sinks. Culturable bacteria were assessed using both oligotrophic and copiotrophic media, and specific media for Enterococcus and Escherichia coli. Culture independent methods included using 16S rRNA PCR amplified DNA for T-RFLP analysis and development of clone libraries for sequencing. Pronounced seasonality was found in all microbiological parameters suggesting responsiveness to surface conditions from recharge of the groundwater despite near constant groundwater temperature. Other differences may reflect the character of the drainage areas feeding different conduits and flow rates and flow reversals that affected residence time in cave conduits. In a region of groundwater flow divide, elevated numbers of a plate counts, flocculent material, and a sulfide smell were reflected in T-RFLP pattern differences. Sequence data from five selected sampling locations revealed the presence of Enterobacter and Klebsiella sequences in surface waters, but not in conduits. One conduit contained a high percentage of sequences with close homology to the archaeal species Thermococcalles archaeon. Other cave-specific sequences were found that do not match previously characterized bacteria. Overall, the data suggest both temporal and spatial differences in the microbial communities within the extensive cave system conduits feeding the spring vent, reflecting both drainage area influences and undocumented subterranean microbial diversity.     

浙江西天目山华严洞的动物化石

1983年5至6月间,在浙江临安县西天目山华严洞堆积中,采集到15种动物化石,其中14种是哺乳动物。动物化石的组合性质是属于华南大熊猫-剑齿象动物群,而时代当为晚更新世早期。     

中国西南安拉蛛属两新种记述(蛛形纲,愈螯蛛科)

记述了采自贵州洞穴和云南西双版纳雨林的愈螯蛛科安拉蛛属2新种,盘县安拉蛛Anapistula panensis sp.nov.和郑氏安拉蛛Anapistula zhengi sp.nov.,模式标本保存在中国科学院动物研究所(IZCAS).盘县安拉蛛,新种Anapistula panensis sp.nov.(图1～5)新种与A.bifurcate Harvey,1998相似.它们的区别为:前者触肢引导器呈不对称分叉,后者为对称分叉;前者跗舟具2根长背刺,后者缺失;前者生殖板中管成“Y”形,后者为“T”形;前者生殖板后缘直,后者呈弧形.正模♂,产自中国贵州省盘县珠东乡十里坪村神仙洞(25°37′N,104°45′E;海拔1 687 m),2007年3月15日.副模:1 ♂,50♀♀,采集信息同正模,刘杰、林玉成采.词源:新种种名源自模式产地地名;形容词.郑氏安拉蛛,新种Anapistula zhengi sp.nov.(图6～ 10)新种与A.secreta Gertsch,1941相似.它们区别为:前者跗舟具2根明显的长背刺,后者仅1根;前者触肢引导器呈三分叉,后者为二分叉;前者生殖板中管宽且短,后者窄且长;前者纳精囊较小,后者稍大.正模♂,产自中国云南省勐腊县勐仑镇西双版纳自然保护区雨林冠层(21°56′N,101°17′E;海拔876m),2006-09-19～ 2007-03-15.副模:48♂♂,156♀♀,采集信息同正模,郑国采.词源:新种种名源自采集人沈阳师范大学郑国博士的名字;词性为名词性同位语.     

Ultrastructure of the peduncular aesthetascs of Speleonectes tanumekes (Crustacea, Remipedia) in comparison with crustaceans from stressful environments

Abstract. Osmotic stress associated with the freshwater environment and desiccation stress associated with the terrestrial environment may have a shortening effect on the length of the innervation of crustacean aesthetascs. Physical stress of the littoral environment may have a similar effect on the length of the cuticular portion of aesthetascs. The aesthetascs of crustaceans that inhabit these environments share a similar ultrastructural feature, which may help animals cope with these environmental stresses. This ultrastructural feature, the position of the basal bodies proximal to the lumen of the aesthetasc, is absent from the aesthetascs of crustaceans that occur in the typical marine environment. Interestingly, the ultrastructural feature associated with these stressful habitats is present in the peduncular aesthetascs of the remipede Speleonectes tanumekes , even though the environmental stresses that may invoke the reduction of aesthetascs are absent in the marine-cave environment where this animal occurs. The importance of the sensitivity of aesthetascs for survival in this lightless environment may result in a selective pressure that favors basal bodies to be positioned proximal to the lumen of the aesthetasc.     

吉林桦甸仙人洞旧石器遗址1993年发掘报告

1993年5—6月,仙人洞旧石器遗址发掘获得石制品197件,打制骨器18件,磨制骨器1件以及大量的动物骨骼化石。遗址分为上、下两个文化层,时代属旧石器时代早期之末或中期至晚期。石制品具有以小石制品为主的中国北方主工业的特点。