Journal Article

Ecología, biomasa y biodiversidad de la Cueva Grande de Anton Göering (karst de Mata de Mango, estado Monagas, Venezuela)

Galán, C., Herrera, F., Rincón, A. and Leis, M.

Record Number:
5328
Year:
2009
Journal:
Bol. SVE
Pages:
19 pages
Volume:
42
Abstract:
Pisces. (2; s 68). Two species of fish of the Trichomycteridae family belonging to the genus Trichomycterus. A trophic species (Trichomycterus sp. 1) abundant along the river. And a species of troglobia, depigmented and without eyes, of the same genus (Trichomycterus sp. 2) of which few specimens were observed in sectors located from the river, deep water. Both seem to show considerable differences with the closest species of this genus of Cueva y Quebrada del Guácharo: very posterior position of the dorsal, ventral and anal fins (e.g. the distance between the start of the dorsal fin and the cephalic end is 60% of the total length versus 52-54% in the specimens of the Cueva del Guácharo or CGu); great development of the nasal and rictal barbs (longer and thicker than in CGu); the first ray pectoral not prolonged in filament (yes in CGu, in all specimens). For this reason it is presumed that they must be species different, new to Science. Previously, only troglomorphic specimens of an unknown species of Trichomycterus in the Sima del Naranjo, but not in other cavities of this karst. It is expected to carry out a more detailed study of this group of fish, including epigeal, hypogeal and troglobian forms, in order to clarify by means of molecular techniques their genetic kinship and taxonomic position. We present ecological and taxonomic data about cave-dwelling macrofauna collected by direct methods and meiofauna associated to seeds and oil-birds guano deposits in Cueva Grande de Anton Göering (Mata de Mango karst, Monagas state). We present biodiversity and biomass global data for the whole cave ecosystem. The biodiversity is high, with 104 cave-dwelling species (93 invertebrates and 11 vertebrates) and includes eight troglobites (seven invertebrates and one Trichomycteridae fish); some of them belong to zoological groups without previous reports on troglobiont forms for the fauna in the caves of Venezuela or even South America. Several species are new species in Science. The biomass is extraordinarily high and weighs 3.824 kg (106 g/m2 or 153 kg by linear 100 m of galleries). These data are the highest biomass values reported for cave-dwelling fauna around the world. The zoological group dominant are Steatornithidae birds, Echimyidae rodents, Rhinocricidae diplopods, Porcellionidae and Trichoniscidae isopods. Other groups very well represented are: fish, beetles, mites, bats, amblypygids, crabs, crickets, springtails, scorpions and spiders. The data are part of a more extensive research about ecology and comparative biodiversity of Venezuelan cave fauna. Key words: Biospeleology, cave fauna, subterranean ecology, biomass, biodiversity, troglobites.
Times Cited:
1
Related Records:
Decu, V., Urbani, F. and Bordon, C. (1994)
Venezuela
Galán, C. (1995)
Fauna troglobia de Venezuela: sinopsis, biología, ambiente, distribución y evolución
Galán, C. and Herrera, F.F. (2006)
Fauna Cavernicola De Venezuela: Una Revision
Galán, C., Herrera, F., Rincón, A. and Leis, M. (2009)
Ecología, biomasa y biodiversidad de la Cueva Grande de Anton Göering (karst de Mata de Mango, estado Monagas, Venezuela)