Scheda di dettaglio – i prodotti della ricerca
| Dato | Valore |
|---|---|
| Title | The ecological niche of a specialized subterranean spider |
| Abstract | Hypogean habitats offer unique opportunities for ecological studies because they are characterized by low abundance and diversity of organisms, they receive low energy inputs, they are relatively stable from a climatic point of view, and they are quite easily modeled. However, given the harsh conditions of the working environment and difficulty of access, very few studies have investigated in detail the ecology of subterranean species directly in the field. In this study, we describe the ecological niche of the subterranean spider Troglohyphantes vignai (Araneae, Linyphiidae). We monitored the population of T. vignai in a disused graphite mine in the Western Italian Alps over 1year, and recorded the main biotic and abiotic parameters characterizing each sampling plot (i.e., temperature, humidity, prey availability, illuminance, and structural complexity). The ecological niche of T. vignai was modeled through polynomial generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) and illustrated graphically by means of three-dimensional plots and GIS techniques. The environmental range in which the probability of presence of T. vignai was higher was consistent with a trade-off between climatic stability and food availability. Neither temporal nor spatial variation of the niche of T. vignai was detected through the year. The methodology used here may be easily adapted to other hypogean sites, paving the way to a novel understanding of niche partitioning in subterranean ecosystems. |
| Source | Invertebrate biology. 135 (1), pp. 20–30 |
| Keywords | Troglohyphantes vignaihypogean ecosystemcavemine |
| Journal | Invertebrate biology. |
| Editor | Allen Press,, Lawrence, Kan., Stati Uniti d'America |
| Year | 2016 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1111/ivb.12113 |
| Authors | Mammola, Stefano; Isaia, Marco |
| Text | 412047 2016 10.1111/ivb.12113 ISI Web of Science WOS 000372030400003 Troglohyphantes vignai hypogean ecosystem cave mine The ecological niche of a specialized subterranean spider Mammola, Stefano; Isaia, Marco Univ Torino Hypogean habitats offer unique opportunities for ecological studies because they are characterized by low abundance and diversity of organisms, they receive low energy inputs, they are relatively stable from a climatic point of view, and they are quite easily modeled. However, given the harsh conditions of the working environment and difficulty of access, very few studies have investigated in detail the ecology of subterranean species directly in the field. In this study, we describe the ecological niche of the subterranean spider Troglohyphantes vignai Araneae, Linyphiidae . We monitored the population of T. vignai in a disused graphite mine in the Western Italian Alps over 1year, and recorded the main biotic and abiotic parameters characterizing each sampling plot i.e., temperature, humidity, prey availability, illuminance, and structural complexity . The ecological niche of T. vignai was modeled through polynomial generalized linear mixed models GLMM and illustrated graphically by means of three dimensional plots and GIS techniques. The environmental range in which the probability of presence of T. vignai was higher was consistent with a trade off between climatic stability and food availability. Neither temporal nor spatial variation of the niche of T. vignai was detected through the year. The methodology used here may be easily adapted to other hypogean sites, paving the way to a novel understanding of niche partitioning in subterranean ecosystems. 135 Published version Articolo in rivista Allen Press, 1077 8306 Invertebrate biology. Invertebrate biology. Invertebr. biol. Invertebrate biology. stefano.mammola MAMMOLA STEFANO |