Cave-dwelling fauna of Costa Rica: current state of knowledge and future research perspectives

By

Deleva, Stanimira
Ulloa, Andres
Oliveira, Hernani
Simov, Nikolay
Didonna, Ferdinando
Chaverri, Gloriana

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2023

Original Publication

Subterranean Biology

Volume

47

Pages

29--62

Subjects

Cave fauna , Caves , Central America , inventory , karst

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.47.113219

 

Abstract

This study focused on the cave fauna of Costa Rica, which has remained relatively understudied despite the presence of more than 435 recorded natural caves and artificial subterranean sites. We collected and reviewed all available literature data on cave fauna in Costa Rica and created the first comprehensive review of the existing information. In addition, we report new records from field surveys conducted between 2015 and 2018. This study reported approximately 123 animal species, whereas the remaining records (n = 82) represented taxa that could not be identified at the species level. Data were collected from 127 locations throughout the country, with new cave fauna records from 41 sites. Notably, we reported the first occurrence of the true bug Amnestus subferrugineus (Westwood 1837) within Costa Rican caves, which represents an addition to the country’s faunal inventory. As this study highlights the knowledge gaps in the subterranean fauna, it will serve as an important stepping stone for future research and conservation efforts related to caves in Costa Rica.