Scheda di dettaglio – i prodotti della ricerca
| Dato | Valore |
|---|---|
| Title | Collecting eco-evolutionary data in the dark: Impediments to subterranean research and how to overcome them |
| Abstract | Caves and other subterranean habitats fulfill the requirements of experimental model systems to address general questions in ecology and evolution. Yet, the harsh working conditions of these environments and the uniqueness of the subterranean organisms have challenged most attempts to pursuit standardized research. Two main obstacles have synergistically hampered previous attempts. First, there is a habitat impediment related to the objective difficulties of exploring subterranean habitats and our inability to access the network of fissures that represents the elective habitat for the so-called "cave species." Second, there is a biological impediment illustrated by the rarity of most subterranean species and their low physiological tolerance, often limiting sample size and complicating laboratory experiments. We explore the advantages and disadvantages of four general experimental setups (in situ, quasi in situ, ex situ, and in silico) in the light of habitat and biological impediments. We also discuss the potential of indirect approaches to research. Furthermore, using bibliometric data, we provide a quantitative overview of the model organisms that scientists have exploited in the study of subterranean life. Our over-arching goal is to promote caves as model systems where one can perform standardized scientific research. This is important not only to achieve an in-depth understanding of the functioning of subterranean ecosystems but also to fully exploit their long-discussed potential in addressing general scientific questions with implications beyond the boundaries of this discipline. |
| Source | Ecology and evolution |
| Keywords | anchialineAsellus aquaticusAstyanaxcave laboratorycomputer simulationsexperimental designgroundwatermodel systemnatural laboratorynonmodel organismssampling strategystygobitetroglobite |
| Journal | Ecology and evolution |
| Editor | Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, Regno Unito |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Rassegna della letteratura scientifica in rivista (Literature review) |
| DOI | 10.1002/ece3.7556 |
| Authors | Mammola, Stefano; Lunghi, Enrico; Biland?ija, Helena; Cardoso, Pedro; Grimm, Volker; Schmidt, Susanne I.; Hesselberg, Thomas; Martínez, Alejandro |
| Text | 453964 2021 10.1002/ece3.7556 Scopus 2 s2.0 85105158453 anchialine Asellus aquaticus Astyanax cave laboratory computer simulations experimental design groundwater model system natural laboratory nonmodel organisms sampling strategy stygobite troglobite Collecting eco evolutionary data in the dark Impediments to subterranean research and how to overcome them Mammola, Stefano; Lunghi, Enrico; Biland ija, Helena; Cardoso, Pedro; Grimm, Volker; Schmidt, Susanne I.; Hesselberg, Thomas; Martinez, Alejandro German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research iDiv Halle Jena Leipzig; Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque, Italy; Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Oxford; Finnish Museum of Natural History; Universita degli Studi di Firenze; Universitat Potsdam; Helmholtz Zentrum fur Umweltforschung; Institute Ruder Boskovic Caves and other subterranean habitats fulfill the requirements of experimental model systems to address general questions in ecology and evolution. Yet, the harsh working conditions of these environments and the uniqueness of the subterranean organisms have challenged most attempts to pursuit standardized research. Two main obstacles have synergistically hampered previous attempts. First, there is a habitat impediment related to the objective difficulties of exploring subterranean habitats and our inability to access the network of fissures that represents the elective habitat for the so called cave species. Second, there is a biological impediment illustrated by the rarity of most subterranean species and their low physiological tolerance, often limiting sample size and complicating laboratory experiments. We explore the advantages and disadvantages of four general experimental setups in situ, quasi in situ, ex situ, and in silico in the light of habitat and biological impediments. We also discuss the potential of indirect approaches to research. Furthermore, using bibliometric data, we provide a quantitative overview of the model organisms that scientists have exploited in the study of subterranean life. Our over arching goal is to promote caves as model systems where one can perform standardized scientific research. This is important not only to achieve an in depth understanding of the functioning of subterranean ecosystems but also to fully exploit their long discussed potential in addressing general scientific questions with implications beyond the boundaries of this discipline. Published version http //www.scopus.com/record/display.url eid=2 s2.0 85105158453 origin=inward Main text 2021_MAMMOLA ET AL. ECOEVO.pdf Rassegna della letteratura scientifica in rivista Literature review Wiley Blackwell 2045 7758 Ecology and evolution Ecology and evolution Ecology and evolution stefano.mammola MAMMOLA STEFANO alejandro.martinezgarcia MARTINEZ GARCIA ALEJANDRO |