Journal Article
Explaining diversity patterns in dark waters – a study of aquatic caves in Yucatán, Mexico
Hendus, B., Medina-González, R., Sélem-Salas, C. and Vanschoenwinkel, B.
Record Number:
4381
Year:
2019
Journal:
Journal of Tropical Ecology
Abstract:
In the tropics, limestone caves in karstic areas are known for their unique biodiversity.
However, many caves remain unstudied and little is known about underlying gradients that
determine diversity and biomass in aquatic microhabitats. Here, we sampled zooplankton
and benthos in a set of 12 aquatic caves, locally called closed cenotes in Yucatán, Mexico.
Our aim was to explain diversity patterns and differences in biomass with particular attention
for correlations between bat colony characteristics and other biota. Compared with caves that
support photosynthesis, diversity was low with an average of four planktonic and two benthic
species in these dark caves. Undetectable phosphorus concentrations in the water suggest this
nutrient is limiting. Several associations hint at a potential link between bat abundance and
functional guild composition, water quality and aquatic biota. As such, more bats were linked
to higher nitrate concentrations. Yet this was not translated to higher invertebrate biomass,
probably since phosphorus is limiting. Overall, the trends found in this survey suggest that bats
could be important as fertilizers of the caves although mechanistic links that mediate the flux of
nutrients need to be confirmed experimentally.
Times Cited:
2