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Saccò M, Mammola S, Altermatt F, Alther R, Bolpagni R, Brancelj A, Brankovits D, Fišer C, Gerovasileiou V, Griebler C, Guareschi S, Hose GC, Korbel K, Lictevout E, Malard F, Martínez A, Niemiller ML, Robertson A, Tanalgo KC, Bichuette ME, Borko Š, Brad T, Campbell MA, Cardoso P, Celico F, Cooper SJB, Culver D, Di Lorenzo T, Galassi DMP, Guzik MT, Hartland A, Humphreys WF, Ferreira RL, Lunghi E, Nizzoli D, Perina G, Raghavan R, Richards Z, Reboleira ASPS, Rohde MM, Fernández DS, Schmidt SI, van der Heyde M, Weaver L, White NE, Zagmajster M, Hogg I, Ruhi A, Gagnon MM, Allentoft ME, Reinecke R. Groundwater is a hidden global keystone ecosystem. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17066. [PMID: 38273563 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Groundwater is a vital ecosystem of the global water cycle, hosting unique biodiversity and providing essential services to societies. Despite being the largest unfrozen freshwater resource, in a period of depletion by extraction and pollution, groundwater environments have been repeatedly overlooked in global biodiversity conservation agendas. Disregarding the importance of groundwater as an ecosystem ignores its critical role in preserving surface biomes. To foster timely global conservation of groundwater, we propose elevating the concept of keystone species into the realm of ecosystems, claiming groundwater as a keystone ecosystem that influences the integrity of many dependent ecosystems. Our global analysis shows that over half of land surface areas (52.6%) has a medium-to-high interaction with groundwater, reaching up to 74.9% when deserts and high mountains are excluded. We postulate that the intrinsic transboundary features of groundwater are critical for shifting perspectives towards more holistic approaches in aquatic ecology and beyond. Furthermore, we propose eight key themes to develop a science-policy integrated groundwater conservation agenda. Given ecosystems above and below the ground intersect at many levels, considering groundwater as an essential component of planetary health is pivotal to reduce biodiversity loss and buffer against climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Saccò
- Subterranean Research and Groundwater Ecology (SuRGE) Group, Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Mammola
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), National Research Council, Verbania Pallanza, Italy
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Florian Altermatt
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Roman Alther
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rossano Bolpagni
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Anton Brancelj
- Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department for Environmental Science, University of Nova Gorica, Nova Gorica, Slovenia
| | - David Brankovits
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), National Research Council, Verbania Pallanza, Italy
| | - Cene Fišer
- SubBio Lab, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vasilis Gerovasileiou
- Faculty of Environment, Department of Environment, Ionian University, Zakynthos, Greece
- Biotechnology and Aquaculture (IMBBC), Thalassocosmos, Institute of Marine Biology, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Heraklion, Greece
| | - Christian Griebler
- Department of Functional & Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simone Guareschi
- Estación Biologica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Grant C Hose
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kathryn Korbel
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elisabeth Lictevout
- International Groundwater Resources Assessment Center (IGRAC), Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Florian Malard
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, Univ Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Alejandro Martínez
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), National Research Council, Verbania Pallanza, Italy
| | - Matthew L Niemiller
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama, USA
| | - Anne Robertson
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Roehampton University, London, UK
| | - Krizler C Tanalgo
- Ecology and Conservation Research Laboratory (Eco/Con Lab), Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, Cotabato, Philippines
| | - Maria Elina Bichuette
- Laboratory of Subterranean Studies (LES), Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Špela Borko
- SubBio Lab, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Traian Brad
- Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Matthew A Campbell
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Pedro Cardoso
- Laboratory for Integrative Biodiversity Research (LIBRe), Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, and Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Fulvio Celico
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Steven J B Cooper
- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences and Environment Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David Culver
- Department of Environmental Science, American University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tiziana Di Lorenzo
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems of the National Research Council of Italy (IRET CNR), Florence, Italy
| | - Diana M P Galassi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences (MESVA), University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Michelle T Guzik
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Adam Hartland
- Lincoln Agritech Ltd, Ruakura, Kirikiriroa, Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - William F Humphreys
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira
- Centro de Estudos em Biologia Subterrânea, Departamento de Ecologia e Conservação, Instituto de Ciências Naturais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Enrico Lunghi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences (MESVA), University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Daniele Nizzoli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giulia Perina
- Subterranean Research and Groundwater Ecology (SuRGE) Group, Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rajeev Raghavan
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, India
| | - Zoe Richards
- Coral Conservation and Research Group, Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ana Sofia P S Reboleira
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, and Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Melissa M Rohde
- Rohde Environmental Consulting, LLC, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Graduate Program in Environmental Science, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | | | - Susanne I Schmidt
- Department of Lake Research, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Mieke van der Heyde
- Subterranean Research and Groundwater Ecology (SuRGE) Group, Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Louise Weaver
- Water & Environment Group, Institute of Environmental Science & Research Ltd., Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Nicole E White
- Subterranean Research and Groundwater Ecology (SuRGE) Group, Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Maja Zagmajster
- SubBio Lab, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ian Hogg
- School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Canadian High Arctic Research Station, Polar Knowledge Canada, Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada
| | - Albert Ruhi
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Marthe M Gagnon
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Morten E Allentoft
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert Reinecke
- Institute of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Bärenstrauch M, Vanhove AS, Allégra S, Peuble S, Gallice F, Paran F, Lavastre V, Girardot F. Microbial diversity and geochemistry of groundwater impacted by steel slag leachates. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 843:156987. [PMID: 35772557 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To understand long-term impacts of steel slag material on aquifer geochemistry and microbial communities, we conducted four sampling campaigns in the Gier alluvial groundwater (Loire, France). In its northern part, the aquifer flows under a 200,000 m3 steel slag exhibiting high levels of chromium and molybdenum. Geochemical analyses of the water table revealed the existence of water masses with different chemical signatures. They allowed us to identify an area particularly contaminated by leachates from the slag heap, whatever the sampling period. Water samples from this area were compared to non-contaminated samples, with geochemical characteristics similar to the river samples. To follow changes in microbial communities, the V3-V4 region of 16 s rRNA gene was sequenced. Overall, we observed lower diversity indices in contaminated areas, with higher relative abundances of Verrucomicrobiota and Myxococcota phyla, while several Proteobacteria orders exhibited lower relative abundances. In particular, one single genus among the Verrucomicrobiota, Candidatus Omnitrophus, represented up to 36 % of total taxon abundance in areas affected by steel slag leachates. A large proportion of taxa identified in groundwater were also detected in the upstream river, indicating strong river-groundwater interactions. Our findings pave the way for future research work on C. Omnitrophus remediation capacities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot Bärenstrauch
- Université de Lyon, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, CNRS, EVS-ISTHME UMR 5600, F-42023 Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Audrey S Vanhove
- Université de Lyon, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, CNRS, EVS-ISTHME UMR 5600, F-42023 Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Séverine Allégra
- Université de Lyon, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, CNRS, EVS-ISTHME UMR 5600, F-42023 Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Steve Peuble
- Mines Saint-Étienne, Centre "Sciences des Processus Industriels et Naturels" (SPIN), Département "Procédés pour l'Environnement et les Géo-ressources" (PEG), UMR 5600 EVS, UMR 5307 LGF, F-42023 Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Frédéric Gallice
- Mines Saint-Étienne, Centre "Sciences des Processus Industriels et Naturels" (SPIN), Département "Procédés pour l'Environnement et les Géo-ressources" (PEG), UMR 5600 EVS, UMR 5307 LGF, F-42023 Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Frédéric Paran
- Mines Saint-Étienne, Centre "Sciences des Processus Industriels et Naturels" (SPIN), Département "Procédés pour l'Environnement et les Géo-ressources" (PEG), UMR 5600 EVS, UMR 5307 LGF, F-42023 Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Véronique Lavastre
- Université de Lyon, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon - Terre Planètes Environnement LGL-TPE, CNRS -UMR 5276, F-42023 Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Françoise Girardot
- Université de Lyon, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, CNRS, EVS-ISTHME UMR 5600, F-42023 Saint-Etienne, France.
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Hose GC, Chariton A, Daam MA, Di Lorenzo T, Galassi DMP, Halse SA, Reboleira ASPS, Robertson AL, Schmidt SI, Korbel KL. Invertebrate traits, diversity and the vulnerability of groundwater ecosystems. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. C. Hose
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University NSW 2109 Australia
| | - A. Chariton
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University NSW 2109 Australia
| | - M. A. Daam
- CENSE ‐ Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research NOVA School of Science and Technology NOVA University Lisbon, 2829‐516 Caparica Portugal
| | - T. Di Lorenzo
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems of the National Research Council Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino Firenze Italy
- Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology Romanian Academy, Clinicilor 5, Cluj Napoca 400006 Romania
| | - D. M. P. Galassi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences University of L'Aquila Via Vetoio, Coppito, 67100 L'Aquila Italy
| | - S. A. Halse
- Bennelongia Environmental Consultants, Jolimont WA 6014 Australia
| | - A. S. P. S. Reboleira
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa Lisbon Portugal
- Natural History Museum of Life and Health Sciences Denmark and University of Copenhagen Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen Denmark
| | - A. L. Robertson
- School of Life and Health Sciences University of Roehampton, Holybourne Avenue, London SW15 4JD UK
| | - S. I. Schmidt
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences Institute of Hydrobiology Na Sádkách 7, 37005 České Budějovice Czech Republic
- Present address: Department of Lake Research, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Magdeburg Germany
| | - K. L. Korbel
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University NSW 2109 Australia
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Li S, Li B, Liu H, Qi W, Yang Y, Yu G, Qu J. The biogeochemical responses of hyporheic groundwater to the long-run managed aquifer recharge: Linking microbial communities to hydrochemistry and micropollutants. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 431:128587. [PMID: 35255336 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Interactions of surface water and groundwater (SW-GW) in hyporheic zones produce biogeochemical hotspots. However, response patterns of hyporheic groundwater to external influences remain unclear. In this study, three datasets (hydrochemistry, antibiotics, and microbiome) were collected over a hydrological year to explore the influence of a 12-year managed aquifer recharge (MAR) project. We observed that the long-term MAR practice elevated nutrient and antibiotic levels while reduced redox potential in hyporheic groundwater, and these impacts depended on decreasing SW-GW interaction intensity with aquifer depth. In contrast, the long-term MAR practice increased community dissimilarity of 30-m groundwater but had little impact on 50-m or 80-m groundwater. Moreover, hyporheic community assembly was dominated by dispersal limitation, and thereby co-varied hydrochemistry and antibiotics only attributed to small community variability. The long-term MAR practice decreased species-interaction intensity and changed the abundance of metabolic functions in hyporheic groundwater. Furthermore, predicted community functions involving carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and manganese cycles for 30-m groundwater showed higher abundances than those for 50- and 80-m groundwater. Collectively, we showed that hyporheic groundwater was sensitive to the SW-GW interaction and human activities, with the interactions of hydrochemistry, contaminants, and microbiome linking to hyporheic groundwater quality and ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siling Li
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Laboratory of Environmental Frontier Technologies, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Binghua Li
- Beijing Water Science and Technology Institute, No.21 Chegongzhuang West Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Huijuan Liu
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Laboratory of Environmental Frontier Technologies, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Weixiao Qi
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Beijing Laboratory of Environmental Frontier Technologies, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Yunfeng Yang
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Gang Yu
- Beijing Laboratory of Environmental Frontier Technologies, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Saccò M, Humphreys WF, Stevens N, Jones MR, Taukulis F, Thomas E, Blyth AJ. Subterranean carbon flows from source to stygofauna: a case study on the atyid shrimp Stygiocaris stylifera (Holthuis, 1960) from Barrow Island (WA). ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2022; 58:247-257. [PMID: 35511750 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2022.2071873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater biota are crucial for the ecological functioning of subterranean ecosystems. However, while knowledge of the taxonomic diversity of groundwater invertebrates (stygofauna) is increasing, functional ecological information is still limited. Here, we investigate seldom empirically tested assumptions around stygofaunal trophic plasticity in coping with oligotrophic habitats. We focus on Barrow Island (Western Australia), an ideal natural laboratory due to the occurrence of natural oil seeps in association with aquifers. The trophic position and food source use of the endemic atyid shrimp Stygiocaris stylifera (Holthuis, 1960) were assessed via δ13C and δ15N stable isotope analysis (SIA). Background information on the environmental conditions was gathered through hydrochemical data and δ13C SIA combined with 14C data from dissolved inorganic/organic carbon and particulate organic carbon from groundwater samples. Our results indicate carbon enrichment in proximity to the natural oil seepage coupled with changes in trophic positions of S. stylifera from higher consumers/predators to biofilm grazers/decomposers. These results are consistent with an increased involvement of hydrocarbon seeps and associated microbial communities in the carbon flows and confirm potential for the trophic flexibility in stygofauna. Further investigations involving other trophic groups will help elucidate the functioning of the ecosystems at a community level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Saccò
- Subterranean Research and Groundwater Ecology (SuRGE) Group, Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - William F Humphreys
- Collections and Research Centre, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, WA, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Alison J Blyth
- The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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Saccò M, Guzik MT, van der Heyde M, Nevill P, Cooper SJB, Austin AD, Coates PJ, Allentoft ME, White NE. eDNA in subterranean ecosystems: Applications, technical aspects, and future prospects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 820:153223. [PMID: 35063529 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring of biota is pivotal for the assessment and conservation of ecosystems. Environments worldwide are being continuously and increasingly exposed to multiple adverse impacts, and the accuracy and reliability of the biomonitoring tools that can be employed shape not only the present, but more importantly, the future of entire habitats. The analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding data provides a quick, affordable, and reliable molecular approach for biodiversity assessments. However, while extensively employed in aquatic and terrestrial surface environments, eDNA-based studies targeting subterranean ecosystems are still uncommon due to the lack of accessibility and the cryptic nature of these environments and their species. Recent advances in genetic and genomic analyses have established a promising framework for shedding new light on subterranean biodiversity and ecology. To address current knowledge and the future use of eDNA methods in groundwaters and caves, this review explores conceptual and technical aspects of the application and its potential in subterranean systems. We briefly introduce subterranean biota and describe the most used traditional sampling techniques. Next, eDNA characteristics, application, and limitations in the subsurface environment are outlined. Last, we provide suggestions on how to overcome caveats and delineate some of the research avenues that will likely shape this field in the near future. We advocate that eDNA analyses, when carefully conducted and ideally combined with conventional sampling techniques, will substantially increase understanding and enable crucial expansion of subterranean community characterisation. Given the importance of groundwater and cave ecosystems for nature and humans, eDNA can bring to the surface essential insights, such as study of ecosystem assemblages and rare species detection, which are critical for the preservation of life below, as well as above, the ground.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Saccò
- Subterranean Research and Groundwater Ecology (SuRGE) Group, Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia.
| | - Michelle T Guzik
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, SA, Australia
| | - Mieke van der Heyde
- Subterranean Research and Groundwater Ecology (SuRGE) Group, Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia
| | - Paul Nevill
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia; ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia
| | - Steven J B Cooper
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, SA, Australia; Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, SA, Australia
| | - Andrew D Austin
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, SA, Australia
| | - Peterson J Coates
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 1 Challenger Drive, 1006, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - Morten E Allentoft
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia; Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicole E White
- Subterranean Research and Groundwater Ecology (SuRGE) Group, Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, WA, Australia
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Saccò M, Campbell MA, Nevill P, Humphreys WF, Blyth AJ, Grierson PF, White NE. Getting to the Root of Organic Inputs in Groundwaters: Stygofaunal Plant Consumption in a Calcrete Aquifer. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.854591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Groundwater environments interact with and support subterranean biota as well as superficial aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. However, knowledge of subterranean energy flows remains incomplete. Cross-boundary investigations are needed to better understand the trophic structures of groundwater ecosystems and their reliance on carbon inputs from aboveground. In this study we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses combined with radiocarbon fingerprints to characterise organic flows in groundwater ecosystems. We coupled these data with DNA metabarcoding of the gut contents of stygofauna to further elucidate organic matter (OM) sources and shifts in diet preferences. Samples were collected from the arid zone Sturt Meadows calcrete aquifer under low rainfall (LR) and high rainfall (HR) conditions. Bayesian modelling of Δ14C, δ13C, and δ15N data indicated that primary consumers (copepods) incorporated mainly particulate organic carbon (POC) under LR but during HR shifted to root derived material (either exudates or direct root grazing). By contrast, diets of secondary consumers (amphipods) were dominated by root material under both LR and HR. Our DNA metabarcoding-based results indicate that amphipods relied primarily on root inputs from perennial trees (likely Eucalyptus and Callitris) during the dry season (LR). Under HR, diets of both amphipods and copepods also included organic material derived from a broad range of more shallow rooted shrubs, and ephemeral herbs and grasses. Our findings illustrate the complexity of functional linkages between groundwater biota and surface terrestrial ecosystems in environments where aboveground productivity, diversity and OM flux to groundwater are intimately linked to often episodic rainfall.
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Premate E, Zagmajster M, Fišer C. Inferring predator-prey interaction in the subterranean environment: a case study from Dinaric caves. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21682. [PMID: 34737417 PMCID: PMC8568937 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01249-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Predator–prey interactions are among the most important biotic interactions shaping ecological communities and driving the evolution of defensive traits. These interactions and their effects on species received little attention in extreme and remote environments, where possibilities for direct observations and experimental manipulation of the animals are limited. In this paper, we study such type of environment, namely caves of the Dinarides (Europe), combining spatial and phylogenetic methods. We focused on several species of Niphargus amphipods living in phreatic lakes, as some of them use the dorsal spines as putative morphological defensive traits. We predicted that these spines represent a defense strategy against the olm (Proteus anguinus), a top predator species in the subterranean waters. We tested for spatial overlap of the olm and Niphargus species and showed that spined species live in closer proximity to and co-occur more frequently with the olm than non-spined species. Modeling of the evolution of the spines onto Niphargus phylogeny implies coevolution of this trait in the presence of olm. We conclude that these spines likely evolved as defensive traits in a predator–prey arms race. Combining multiple analyses, we provide an example for a methodological framework to assess predator–prey interactions when in-situ or laboratory observations are not possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Premate
- SubBio Lab, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Maja Zagmajster
- SubBio Lab, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Cene Fišer
- SubBio Lab, Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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9
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Jones KK, Humphreys WF, Saccò M, Bertozzi T, Austin AD, Cooper SJ. The critical thermal maximum of diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae): a comparison of subterranean and surface-dwelling species. CURRENT RESEARCH IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 1:100019. [PMID: 36003597 PMCID: PMC9387432 DOI: 10.1016/j.cris.2021.100019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Thermal tolerance limits in animals are often thought to be related to temperature and thermal variation in their environment. Recently, there has been a focus on studying upper thermal limits due to the likelihood for climate change to expose more animals to higher temperatures and potentially extinction. Organisms living in underground environments experience reduced temperatures and thermal variation in comparison to species living in surface habitats, but how these impact their thermal tolerance limits are unclear. In this study, we compare the thermal critical maximum (CTmax) of two subterranean diving beetles (Dytiscidae) to that of three related surface-dwelling species. Our results show that subterranean species have a lower CTmax (38.3-39.0°C) than surface species (42.0-44.5°C). The CTmax of subterranean species is ∼10°C higher than the highest temperature recorded within the aquifer. Groundwater temperature varied between 18.4°C and 28.8°C, and changes with time, depth and distance across the aquifer. Seasonal temperature fluctuations were 0.5°C at a single point, with the maximum heating rate being ∼1000x lower (0.008°C/hour) than that recorded in surface habitats (7.98°C/hour). For surface species, CTmax was 7-10°C higher than the maximum temperature in their habitats, with daily fluctuations from ∼1°C to 16°C and extremes of 6.9°C and 34.9°C. These findings suggest that subterranean dytiscid beetles are unlikely to reach their CTmax with a predicted warming of 1.3-5.1°C in the region by 2090. However, the impacts of long-term elevated temperatures on fitness, different life stages and other species in the beetle's trophic food web are unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl K. Jones
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
- Evolutionary Genomics, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - William F. Humphreys
- Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 40, Welshpool DC, WA 6986, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Mattia Saccò
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Terry Bertozzi
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
- Evolutionary Genomics, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Andy D. Austin
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | - Steven J.B. Cooper
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
- Evolutionary Genomics, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
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10
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Ramirez MD, Besser AC, Newsome SD, McMahon KW. Meta‐analysis of primary producer amino acid δ
15
N values and their influence on trophic position estimation. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Ramirez
- Graduate School of Oceanography University of Rhode Island Narragansett RI USA
| | - Alexi C. Besser
- Department of Biology University of New Mexico Albuquerque NM USA
| | - Seth D. Newsome
- Department of Biology University of New Mexico Albuquerque NM USA
| | - Kelton W. McMahon
- Graduate School of Oceanography University of Rhode Island Narragansett RI USA
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11
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Linking Hydrogeology and Ecology in Karst Landscapes: The Response of Epigean and Obligate Groundwater Copepods (Crustacea: Copepoda). WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13152106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Groundwater invertebrate communities in karst landscapes are known to vary in response to multiple environmental factors. This study aims to explore the invertebrate assemblages’ composition of an Apennine karst system in Italy mainly described by the Rio Gamberale surface stream and the Stiffe Cave. The stream sinks into the carbonate rock and predominantly feeds the saturated karst into the cave. For a minor portion, groundwater flows from the epikarst and the perched aquifer within it. The spatial distribution of the species belonging to the selected target group of the Crustacea Copepoda between the surface stream and the groundwater habitats inside the cave highlighted a different response of surface-water species and obligate groundwater dwellers to the hydrogeological traits of the karst unit. Our results suggest that fast endorheic infiltration routes promoted the drift of epigean species from the surface to groundwater via the sinking stream while most of the obligate groundwater dwellers come from the perched aquifer in the epikarst from diffuse infiltration pathways.
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12
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Saccò M, Blyth AJ, Humphreys WF, Cooper SJB, White NE, Campbell M, Mousavi-Derazmahalleh M, Hua Q, Mazumder D, Smith C, Griebler C, Grice K. Rainfall as a trigger of ecological cascade effects in an Australian groundwater ecosystem. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3694. [PMID: 33580159 PMCID: PMC7881013 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83286-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Groundwaters host vital resources playing a key role in the near future. Subterranean fauna and microbes are crucial in regulating organic cycles in environments characterized by low energy and scarce carbon availability. However, our knowledge about the functioning of groundwater ecosystems is limited, despite being increasingly exposed to anthropic impacts and climate change-related processes. In this work we apply novel biochemical and genetic techniques to investigate the ecological dynamics of an Australian calcrete under two contrasting rainfall periods (LR—low rainfall and HR—high rainfall). Our results indicate that the microbial gut community of copepods and amphipods experienced a shift in taxonomic diversity and predicted organic functional metabolic pathways during HR. The HR regime triggered a cascade effect driven by microbes (OM processors) and exploited by copepods and amphipods (primary and secondary consumers), which was finally transferred to the aquatic beetles (top predators). Our findings highlight that rainfall triggers ecological shifts towards more deterministic dynamics, revealing a complex web of interactions in seemingly simple environmental settings. Here we show how a combined isotopic-molecular approach can untangle the mechanisms shaping a calcrete community. This design will help manage and preserve one of the most vital but underrated ecosystems worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Saccò
- WA-Organic Isotope Geochemistry Centre, The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia. .,Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia.
| | - Alison J Blyth
- WA-Organic Isotope Geochemistry Centre, The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia.,School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - William F Humphreys
- Collections and Research Centre, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, WA, 6986, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Steven J B Cooper
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Nicole E White
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Matthew Campbell
- WA-Organic Isotope Geochemistry Centre, The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Mahsa Mousavi-Derazmahalleh
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Quan Hua
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia
| | - Debashish Mazumder
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia
| | - Colin Smith
- Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia.,Laboratorio de Evolución Humana, Departamento de Historia, Geografía y Comunicación, Universidad de Burgos, 09001, Burgos, Spain
| | - Christian Griebler
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kliti Grice
- WA-Organic Isotope Geochemistry Centre, The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
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13
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Langille BL, Hyde J, Saint KM, Bradford TM, Stringer DN, Tierney SM, Humphreys WF, Austin AD, Cooper SJB. Evidence for speciation underground in diving beetles (Dytiscidae) from a subterranean archipelago. Evolution 2020; 75:166-175. [PMID: 33219700 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Most subterranean animals are assumed to have evolved from surface ancestors following colonization of a cave system; however, very few studies have raised the possibility of "subterranean speciation" in underground habitats (i.e., obligate cave-dwelling organisms [troglobionts] descended from troglobiotic ancestors). Numerous endemic subterranean diving beetle species from spatially discrete calcrete aquifers in Western Australia (stygobionts) have evolved independently from surface ancestors; however, several cases of sympatric sister species raise the possibility of subterranean speciation. We tested this hypothesis using vision (phototransduction) genes that are evolving under neutral processes in subterranean species and purifying selection in surface species. Using sequence data from 32 subterranean and five surface species in the genus Paroster (Dytiscidae), we identified deleterious mutations in long wavelength opsin (lwop), arrestin 1 (arr1), and arrestin 2 (arr2) shared by a sympatric sister-species triplet, arr1 shared by a sympatric sister-species pair, and lwop and arr2 shared among closely related species in adjacent calcrete aquifers. In all cases, a common ancestor possessed the function-altering mutations, implying they were already adapted to aphotic environments. Our study represents one of the first confirmed cases of subterranean speciation in cave insects. The assessment of genes undergoing pseudogenization provides a novel way of testing modes of speciation and the history of diversification in blind cave animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara L Langille
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Josephine Hyde
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Department of Environmental Sciences, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Connecticut, 06511
| | - Kathleen M Saint
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Tessa M Bradford
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Danielle N Stringer
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia
| | - Simon M Tierney
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, 2751, Australia
| | - William F Humphreys
- Collections and Research, Western Australian Museum, 49 Kew Street, Welshpool, Western Australia, 6106, Australia.,School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Andrew D Austin
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Steven J B Cooper
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
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14
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Saccò M, Blyth AJ, Humphreys WF, Cooper SJB, Austin AD, Hyde J, Mazumder D, Hua Q, White NE, Grice K. Refining trophic dynamics through multi-factor Bayesian mixing models: A case study of subterranean beetles. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:8815-8826. [PMID: 32884659 PMCID: PMC7452819 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Food web dynamics are vital in shaping the functional ecology of ecosystems. However, trophic ecology is still in its infancy in groundwater ecosystems due to the cryptic nature of these environments. To unravel trophic interactions between subterranean biota, we applied an interdisciplinary Bayesian mixing model design (multi-factor BMM) based on the integration of faunal C and N bulk tissue stable isotope data (δ13C and δ15N) with radiocarbon data (Δ14C), and prior information from metagenomic analyses. We further compared outcomes from multi-factor BMM with a conventional isotope double proxy mixing model (SIA BMM), triple proxy (δ13C, δ15N, and Δ14C, multi-proxy BMM), and double proxy combined with DNA prior information (SIA + DNA BMM) designs. Three species of subterranean beetles (Paroster macrosturtensis, Paroster mesosturtensis, and Paroster microsturtensis) and their main prey items Chiltoniidae amphipods (AM1: Scutachiltonia axfordi and AM2: Yilgarniella sturtensis), cyclopoids and harpacticoids from a calcrete in Western Australia were targeted. Diet estimations from stable isotope only models (SIA BMM) indicated homogeneous patterns with modest preferences for amphipods as prey items. Multi-proxy BMM suggested increased-and species-specific-predatory pressures on amphipods coupled with high rates of scavenging/predation on sister species. SIA + DNA BMM showed marked preferences for amphipods AM1 and AM2, and reduced interspecific scavenging/predation on Paroster species. Multi-factorial BMM revealed the most precise estimations (lower overall SD and very marginal beetles' interspecific interactions), indicating consistent preferences for amphipods AM1 in all the beetles' diets. Incorporation of genetic priors allowed crucial refining of the feeding preferences, while integration of more expensive radiocarbon data as a third proxy (when combined with genetic data) produced more precise outcomes but close dietary reconstruction to that from SIA + DNA BMM. Further multidisciplinary modeling from other groundwater environments will help elucidate the potential behind these designs and bring light to the feeding ecology of one the most vital ecosystems worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Saccò
- WA‐Organic Isotope Geochemistry CentreThe Institute for Geoscience ResearchSchool of Earth and Planetary SciencesCurtin UniversityPerthWAAustralia
| | - Alison J. Blyth
- WA‐Organic Isotope Geochemistry CentreThe Institute for Geoscience ResearchSchool of Earth and Planetary SciencesCurtin UniversityPerthWAAustralia
| | - William F. Humphreys
- Collections and Research CentreWestern Australian MuseumWelshpoolWAAustralia
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Western AustraliaCrawleyWAAustralia
| | - Steven J. B. Cooper
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and BiodiversitySchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
- Evolutionary Biology UnitSouth Australian MuseumAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Andrew D. Austin
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and BiodiversitySchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Josephine Hyde
- Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and BiodiversitySchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
- Department of Environmental ScienceThe Connecticut Agricultural Experiment StationNew HavenCTUSA
| | - Debashish Mazumder
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)Kirrawee DCNSWAustralia
| | - Quan Hua
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)Kirrawee DCNSWAustralia
| | - Nicole E. White
- Trace and Environmental DNA LabSchool of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityPerthWAAustralia
| | - Kliti Grice
- WA‐Organic Isotope Geochemistry CentreThe Institute for Geoscience ResearchSchool of Earth and Planetary SciencesCurtin UniversityPerthWAAustralia
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15
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Distribution patterns, carbon sources and niche partitioning in cave shrimps (Atyidae: Typhlatya). Sci Rep 2020; 10:12812. [PMID: 32732979 PMCID: PMC7393362 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69562-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cave shrimps of the Typhlatya genus are common and widespread in fresh, brackish and marine groundwater throughout the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico). These species are ideal models to test niche partitioning within sympatric species in oligotrophic systems. Nevertheless, their food sources remain unidentified, and despite their frequency and functional importance, distribution and abundance patterns of these species within caves have not been fully recognized. Here, we describe the abundance of three Typhlatya species in different temporal and spatial scales, investigate changes in water conditions, and potential sources of carbon as an indication of food origin. Species composition and abundance varied markedly in space and time revealing patterns that differed from one system to another and in relation to environmental parameters. Isotope analysis showed that each species reflects a particular δ13C and Δ14C fingerprint, suggesting they feed in different proportions from the available carbon sources. Overall, our findings suggest a niche partitioning of habitat and feeding sources amongst the three Typhlatya species investigated, where environmental characteristics and physiological differences could play an important role governing their distribution patterns.
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16
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Castaño-Sánchez A, Hose GC, Reboleira ASPS. Ecotoxicological effects of anthropogenic stressors in subterranean organisms: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 244:125422. [PMID: 31805461 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
How anthropogenic stressors affect biodiversity is a central question in a changing world. Subterranean ecosystems and their biodiversity are particularly vulnerable to change, yet, these species are frequently neglected in analyses of global biodiversity and assessments of ecological status and risk. Are these hidden species affected by anthropogenic stressors? Do they survive outside of the current thermal limits of their ecosystems? These and other important questions can be addressed with ecotoxicological testing, relating contaminants and temperature resistance of species with measured environmental concentrations and climatic data. Ecotoxicological knowledge specific to subterranean ecosystems is crucial for establishing thresholds for their protection, but such data are both scarce and scattered. Here, we review the existing ecotoxicological studies of these impacts to subterranean-adapted species. An effort that includes 167 measured endpoints and presents a database containing experimentally derived species' tolerance data for 28 contaminants and temperature, for 46 terrestrial and groundwater species, including fungi and animals. The lack of standard data among the studies is currently the major impediment to evaluate how stressors affect subterranean-adapted species and how differently they respond from their relatives at surface. Improving understanding of ecotoxicological effects on subterranean-adapted species will require extensive analysis of physiological responses to a wide range of untested stressors, standardization of testing protocols and evaluation of exposures under realistic scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Castaño-Sánchez
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Grant C Hose
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ana Sofia P S Reboleira
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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