The Biology of Caves and Other Subterranean Habitats

The Biology of Caves and Other Subterranean Habitats

Author: David C. Culver

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2019-04-01

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 0192552767

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The second edition of this widely cited textbook continues to provide a concise but comprehensive introduction to cave and subterranean biology, describing this fascinating habitat and its biodiversity. It covers a range of biological processes including ecosystem function, evolution and adaptation, community ecology, biogeography, and conservation. The authors draw on a global range of examples and case studies from both caves and non-cave subterranean habitats. One of the barriers to the study of subterranean biology has been the extraordinarily large number of specialized terms used by researchers; the authors explain these terms clearly and minimize the number that they use. This new edition retains the same 10 chapter structure of the original, but the content has been thoroughly revised and updated throughout to reflect the huge increase in publications concerning subterranean biology over the last decade.


Cave Biology

Cave Biology

Author: Aldemaro Romero Díaz

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2009-07-23

Total Pages: 318

ISBN-13: 0521828465

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A critical examination of current knowledge and ideas on cave biology, with emphasis on evolution, ecology, and conservation.


Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish

Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish

Author: Alex Keene

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2015-10-12

Total Pages: 419

ISBN-13: 0128023651

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Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish features contributions by leading researchers in a comprehensive, unique work that examines a number of distinct areas of biology—evolution, development, ecology, and behavior—using the Mexican cavefish as a powerful model system to further understanding of basic biological processes such as eye degeneration, hearing, craniofacial development, sleep, and metabolic function. These fish are currently being used to better understand a number of issues related to human health, including age-related blindness, sleep, obesity, mood-related disorders, and aging. The recent sequencing of the cavefish genome broadens the interest of this system to groups working with diverse biological systems, and has helped researchers identify genes that regulate sleep, eye degeneration, and metabolic function. Mexican cavefish are particularly powerful for the study of biological processes because these fish evolved independently in twenty-nine caves in the Sierra de el Abra Region of Northeast Mexico. These fish have dramatic adaptations to the cave environment, and this can be used to identify genes involved in disease-related traits. This scholarly text will be of interest to researchers and students throughout diverse areas of biology and ecology. It includes photographs of animals and behavior in laboratory and natural settings that will also increase interest and accessibility to non-experts. - Includes a mixture of images and illustrations such as the geographical distribution of cave pools and the developmental biology of the nervous system - Features a companion site with geographical maps - Fills a notable gap in the literature on a topic of broad interest to the scientific community - Presents the recent sequencing of the cavefish genome as a groundbreaking development for researchers working with diverse biological systems


Cave Ecology

Cave Ecology

Author: Oana Teodora Moldovan

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2019-01-05

Total Pages: 536

ISBN-13: 3319988522

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Cave organisms are the ‘monsters’ of the underground world and studying them invariably raises interesting questions about the ways evolution has equipped them to survive in permanent darkness and low-energy environments. Undertaking ecological studies in caves and other subterranean habitats is not only challenging because they are difficult to access, but also because the domain is so different from what we know from the surface, with no plants at the base of food chains and with a nearly constant microclimate year-round. The research presented here answers key questions such as how a constant environment can produce the enormous biodiversity seen below ground, what adaptations and peculiarities allow subterranean organisms to thrive, and how they are affected by the constraints of their environment. This book is divided into six main parts, which address: the habitats of cave animals; their complex diversity; the environmental factors that support that diversity; individual case studies of cave ecosystems; and of the conservation challenges they face; all of which culminate in proposals for future research directions. Given its breadth of coverage, it offers an essential reference guide for graduate students and established researchers alike.


Cave Biology

Cave Biology

Author: Aldemaro Romero

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2009-07-23

Total Pages: 318

ISBN-13: 1139480537

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Biospeleology, the study of organisms that live in caves, has a tremendous potential to inform many aspects of modern biology; yet this area of knowledge remains largely anchored in neo-Lamarckian views of the natural world in both its approaches and jargon. Written for graduate students and academic researchers, this book provides a critical examination of current knowledge and ideas on cave biology, with emphasis on evolution, ecology, and conservation. Aldemaro Romero provides a historical analysis of ideas that have influenced biospeleology, discusses evolutionary phenomena in caves, from cave colonization to phenotypic and genotypic changes, and integrates concepts and knowledge from diverse biological viewpoints. He challenges the conventional wisdom regarding the biology of caves, and highlights urgent questions that should be addressed in order to get a better and more complete understanding of caves as ecosystems.


Encyclopedia of Caves

Encyclopedia of Caves

Author: William B. White

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2019-05-10

Total Pages: 1260

ISBN-13: 0128141255

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Encyclopedia of Caves, Third Edition, provides detailed background information to anyone with a serious interest in caves. This includes students, both undergraduate and graduate, in the earth, biological and environmental sciences, and consultants, environmental scientists, land managers and government agency staff whose work requires them to know something about caves and the biota that inhabit them. Caves touch on many scientific interests in geology, climate science, biology, hydrology, archaeology, and paleontology, as well as more popular interests in sport caving and cave exploration. Case studies and descriptions of specific caves selected for their special features and public interest are also included. This book will appeal to these audiences by providing in-depth essays written by expert authors chosen for their expertise in their assigned subject. - Features 14 new chapters and 13 completely rewritten chapters - Contains beautifully illustrated content, with more than 500 color images of cave life and features - Provides extensive bibliographies that allow readers to access their subject of interest in greater depth


The Cave Book

The Cave Book

Author: Emil Silvestru

Publisher: New Leaf Publishing Group

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 88

ISBN-13: 9780890514962

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DISCOVER JUST HOW LONG IT REALLY TAKES FOR A CAVE TO FORM


Adaptation and Natural Selection in Caves

Adaptation and Natural Selection in Caves

Author: David C. Culver

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 9780674004252

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Their work reveals the advantages of caves for studying natural selection: the highly simplified habitats found underground serve as a natural laboratory for the evolutionary biologist, and the distinctive morphological features of cave fauna provide a wealth of data on evolutionary history and natural selection.


Cave Biodiversity

Cave Biodiversity

Author: J. Judson Wynne

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 2022-11-15

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 1421444577

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"This book describes the evolution and diversity of the fauna that dwell in caves. Covering both vertebrates and invertebrates, the edited volume brings together ichthyologists, entomologists, ecologists, herpetologists, conservationists, and explorers to provide a nuanced picture of life beneath the earth's surface"--