| Title | Ecology and sampling techniques of an understudied subterranean habitat: the Milieu Souterrain Superficiel (MSS) |
| Abstract | The term Milieu Souterrain Superficiel (MSS) has been used since the early 1980s in subterranean biology to categorize an array of different hypogean habitats. In general terms, a MSS habitat represents the underground network of empty air-filled voids and cracks developing within multiple layers of rock fragments. Its origins can be diverse and is generally covered by topsoil. The MSS habitat is often connected both with the deep hypogean domain-caves and deep rock cracks-and the superficial soil horizon. A MSS is usually characterized by peculiar microclimatic conditions, and it can harbor specialized hypogean, endogean, and surface-dwelling species. In light of the many interpretations given by different authors, we reviewed 235 papers regarding the MSS in order to provide a state-of-the-art description of these habitats and facilitate their study. We have briefly described the different types of MSS mentioned in the scientific literature (alluvial, bedrock, colluvial, volcanic, and other types) and synthesized the advances in the study of the physical and ecological factors affecting this habitat-i.e., microclimate, energy flows, animal communities, and trophic interactions. We finally described and reviewed the available sampling methods used to investigate MSS fauna. |
| Source | Naturwissenschaften 103 (11-12) |
| Keywords | Mesovoid shallow substratumArthropodsCave ecologyTroglobiontsSuperficial subterranean habitatUpper hypogean zone |
| Journal | Naturwissenschaften |
| Editor | Springer, Berlin, Germania |
| Year | 2016 |
| Type | Rassegna della letteratura scientifica in rivista (Literature review) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s00114-016-1413-9 |
| Authors | Mammola, Stefano; Giachino, Pier Mauro; Piano, Elena; Jones, Alexandra; Barberis, Marcel; Badino, Giovanni; Isaia, Marco |
| Text | 412043 2016 10.1007/s00114 016 1413 9 ISI Web of Science WOS 000389806200001 Mesovoid shallow substratum Arthropods Cave ecology Troglobionts Superficial subterranean habitat Upper hypogean zone Ecology and sampling techniques of an understudied subterranean habitat the Milieu Souterrain Superficiel MSS Mammola, Stefano; Giachino, Pier Mauro; Piano, Elena; Jones, Alexandra; Barberis, Marcel; Badino, Giovanni; Isaia, Marco Univ Turin; Settore Fitosanitario Reg; Univ Turin The term Milieu Souterrain Superficiel MSS has been used since the early 1980s in subterranean biology to categorize an array of different hypogean habitats. In general terms, a MSS habitat represents the underground network of empty air filled voids and cracks developing within multiple layers of rock fragments. Its origins can be diverse and is generally covered by topsoil. The MSS habitat is often connected both with the deep hypogean domain caves and deep rock cracks and the superficial soil horizon. A MSS is usually characterized by peculiar microclimatic conditions, and it can harbor specialized hypogean, endogean, and surface dwelling species. In light of the many interpretations given by different authors, we reviewed 235 papers regarding the MSS in order to provide a state of the art description of these habitats and facilitate their study. We have briefly described the different types of MSS mentioned in the scientific literature alluvial, bedrock, colluvial, volcanic, and other types and synthesized the advances in the study of the physical and ecological factors affecting this habitat i.e., microclimate, energy flows, animal communities, and trophic interactions. We finally described and reviewed the available sampling methods used to investigate MSS fauna. 103 Published version Rassegna della letteratura scientifica in rivista Literature review Springer 0028 1042 Naturwissenschaften Naturwissenschaften Naturwissenschaften Naturwissenschaften. Naturwissenschaften Berlin. Print stefano.mammola MAMMOLA STEFANO |
