Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
A troglobite (or, formally, troglobiont) is an animal species, or population of a species, strictly bound to underground habitats, such as caves.These are separate from species that mainly live in above-ground habitats but are also able to live underground (eutroglophiles), and species that are only cave visitors (subtroglophiles and trogloxenes). [1]
Subterranean fauna is found worldwide and includes representatives of many animal groups, mostly arthropods and other invertebrates.However, there is a number of vertebrates (such as cavefishes and cave salamanders), although they are less common.
A European mole Various moles. Moles are small, subterranean mammals.They have cylindrical bodies, velvety fur, very small, inconspicuous eyes and ears, [1] reduced hindlimbs, and short, powerful forelimbs with large paws adapted for digging.
All the species were previously known to have lived near such vents, but never underground. "We discovered vent animal life in the cavities of the ocean's crust.
Both are associated with subterranean environments – troglofauna are associated with caves and spaces above the water table and stygofauna with water. Troglofaunal species include spiders, insects, myriapods and others. Some troglofauna live permanently underground and cannot survive outside the cave environment.
Shifts towards an underground lifestyle also entail changes in metabolism and energetics, often in a weight-dependent manner. Sub-fossorial species weighing more than 80 grams (2.8 oz) have comparably lower basal rates [specify] than those weighing lower than 60 grams (2.1 oz). The average fossorial animal has a basal rate between 60% and 90%.
Mammals are perhaps most well known for burrowing. Mammal species such as Insectivora like the mole, and rodents like the gopher, great gerbil and groundhog are often found to form burrows. Some other mammals that are known to burrow are the platypus, pangolin, pygmy rabbit, armadillo, rat and weasel. [5]
Texella reddelli, the Bee Creek cave harvestman, [3] is a rare species of troglobitic harvestman that was added to the United States endangered species list in 1988, at the same time as six other species native to the karst ecosystem in Travis County and Williamson County, Texas, USA.