Cave features, seasonality and subterranean distribution of non-obligate cave dwellers

摘要: Seasonality impacts species distributions through changes of the environmental conditions that affect presence individuals at a given place. Although dynamics cave microclimates are well known, only few studies have evaluated effects such on non-strictly species. Here we assessed if exploiting subterranean environments show in habitat occupation related to seasonal variation microclimates. We surveyed 16 caves central Italy every month for one year. Caves were subdivided into longitudinal sectors three meters. In each sector measured morphology and microclimatic features, occurrence eight non-troglobitic taxa (orthopterans, spiders, gastropods amphibians), distribution features sampling periods. The most was both features. survey major factor determining sectors, indicating cave-dwelling strong seasonality activity distribution. For multiple species, detected interactions between period suggesting may associate with different microhabitats throughout richest communities found sites specific (i.e., high humidity, warm temperature low light) but richness as well, stressing complexity outdoor environments.