Activity of stygobionts in spring habitats: behavioral, ecological and evolutionary insights

Cave-dwelling animals might be regarded as dead-end points when it comes to their evolution and habitat exploitation. However, in the past different observations of olms’ typical troglomorphic populations have been reported for springs Venetia Giulia, along with a community rich stygobionts (Bressi et al. 1999; Stoch 2017). The aim this work is point out non-random active use surface habitats by community, providing comparison occurrence observed caves performing an assessment factors favouring ecotone Since 2020 we started multiple day night surveys olms both 71 11 caves. Each spring cave monitored has characterised respect abiotic biotic features, including planktonic benthic prey availability. Additionally, Troglocaris sp. were tested determine whether they showed any behavioral difference regarding response light stimuli predatory cues, potential adaptations conditions found two habitats. We used 34 individuals sampled from three 24 Italian karst. detected olm at least once 12 springs, maximum 9 occurring together. Detection probability was similar. Spring provided higher density available. Olms seem prefer without predator fish temporary hydroperiod. recorded one larva 3.5 cm which could smallest ever field. Preliminary results experiments show no susceptibility neither nor sp., chemical cues expect reactivity depending on origin shrimp, consistently top present. suggest that epigean borders may underestimated importance adapted subterranean environments (Manenti Piazza 2021), olm. Further studies focusing ipogean actively exploits are underway, determining diel occupation these complex ecotones.