Earth Sciences Commons^™

Genetic Population Structure In An Amphipod Species, James L. Gooch, S. W. Golladay

International Journal of Speleology

Genetic structure of a species should conform, in part, to environmental structure. Three polymorphic enzyme loci in the amphipod Gammarus minus Say are geographically differentiated in gene frequencies in the mid-Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States, and genetic breaks usually coincide with topographical features and stream divides. Considering alleles as migrational markers, it is expected that heterozygosity would decrease upstream in isolated drainage basins, increase in the headwaters of adjacent but oppositely flowing streams in which gene exchange was occurring between genetically differentiated populations, and increase in sites near regional master streams. These genetic patterns were found to exist …

Some Implications Of Competition For Cave Stream Communities, David C. Culver

International Journal of Speleology

Based on recent theoretical work by Robert May and Richard Levins, two hypotheses about time fluctuations in abundance of competing species were generated. Data for isopods and amphipods from four cave stream communities in Virginia and West Virginia were used to test the predictions. First, variance of total abundance should be less than the sum of the variances of individual species’ abundances. In three of four communities studied, the prediction was confirmed, but none were statistically significant. Positive correlations among carrying capacities of competing species may explain the poor agreement with predictions. Second, the signs of 19 correlations and partial …

Distribution And Habitat Diversity Of Subterranean Amphipods In The Rocky Mountains Of Colorado, U. S. A., James V. Ward, John R. Holsinger

International Journal of Speleology

Subterranean amphipods have been collected from 35 locations on the eastern and western slopes of the Continental Divide in Colorado. All belong to the exclusively subterranean genus Stygobromus. Five species have been identified, two of which are undescribed. Specimens have been collected from (a) the hyporheic zone of rivers, (b) interrupted streams, (c) springs, and (d) seeps at elevations from 1597-2134 m a.s.l. Stygobromus occurs in several habitat types in interrupted drainage basins including sources, seeps, and isolated pools containing leaf detritus. All habitats contained waters which were cool to cold with dissolved oxygen values ranging from 4.3 ppm …

Distribution Of Ostracods In The Groundwater Of The North Western Coast Of Euboea (Greece), Dan L. Danielopol

International Journal of Speleology

Freshwater fauna from 20 wells located 15-200 m from the seashore as well as marine interstitial fauna from the coastal zone around the village Aghios Georghios (Cape Likhada) have been investigated. Freshwater hypogean ostracods live mainly in protected wells having clean bottom and little particulate organic matter from which the water is moderately pumped. Epigean freshwater ostracods dominate in unprotected wells with large amounts of organic matter on the bottom. There is a sharp difference between the ostracod fauna living in fresh groundwater (mainly Cypridids) and those living in coastal marine interstitial habitats (marine Cytherids and Polycopids). It is suggested …

Phreatische Fauna In Ljubljansko Polje (Ljubljana-Ebene, Jugoslavien) - Ihre Ökologische Verteilung Und Zoogeographische Beziehungen, B. Sket, F. Velkovrh

International Journal of Speleology

The phreatic basin of Ljubljansko polje (polje = plain, field) recharges its water supply mainly from the Sava river-bed and at a few other locations where connections with karstic subterranean waters might exist and only up to 15% from precipitation. An important zone of infiltration in the river-bed is the bottom and not the bank which is to a large extent watertight due to organic debris (rests of Sphaerotilus e.g.). The main water-body moves about 10 m/day, there are however some local jets with far higher speeds. Yearly amplitudes of water temperatures are high near the river but in the …

A Note On Directed Phytokarst In Sarawak (E. Malaysia), Martin Laverty

International Journal of Speleology

A distinctive new type of phytokarst, oriented towards available light, has been found in cave entrances in the Gunong Mulu National Park, Sarawak, E. Malaysia. The karst features of this area are spectacular and important.

Variation Among Populations Of The Troglobitic Amphipod Crustacean Crangonyx Antennatus Packard (Crangonyctidae) Living In Different Habitats, Iii: Population Dynamics And Stability, Gary W. Dickson, John R. Holsinger

International Journal of Speleology

Populations of the troglobitic amphipod Crangonyx antennatus from caves in Lee Co., Virginia (U.S.A.) were investigated on both a short and long term basis. The dynamics of populations living in two distinct aquatic cave habitats (mud-bottom pools and gravel-bottom streams) were compared seasonably for one year. Sex ratios indicated a larger number of females in both pool and stream habitats. The majority of males in both habitats were found to be sexually mature throughout the year investigated. Seasonal fluctuations in female maturity were observed in both habitats, with larger numbers collected in June and August. In addition, a larger number …

The Role Of Co2 In Gypsum Speleogenesis: 1° Contribution, Paolo Forti, Ernesto Rabbi

International Journal of Speleology

Staring from direct observation carried out inside gypsum caves around Bologna (Italy), the authors develop a new theory about the role played by CO₂ in gypsum karstification. Such a theory agrees with the presence of calcite sinters inside gypsum caves without any source of calcium carbonate (cover or interbedding layer). Moreover, starting from this theory, gypsum speleogenesis has to be always considered as a hyperkarstic phenomenon (more than 3 components at the equilibrium).

Biogeographical And Paleobiogeographical Problems In Stenasellids (Crustacea Isopoda Asellota Of Underground Waters), Guy J. Magniez

International Journal of Speleology

Considering their systematic isolation among present Asellota, their strong burrowing behaviour, their aptitude for interstitial life and their wide north-tropical present distribution, the history of Stenasellid Crustaceans seems to be marked by the antiquity of their settlements in continental groundwaters (Middle Cretaceous period?) and a long stage of life in phreatic waters on permanently emerged paleotropical continents during the Cenozoic Era. The resemblance between some forms of the Guinean shield and Mexico sets the problem of the anteriority of their continental conquest to South Atlantic drift. The repartition of Mediterranean European forms appears as a consequence of paleogeographical changes in …

Structure Et Fonctionnement Des Ecosystèmes Du Haut-Rhône Français; Viii: Hydrologie De Deux Stations Phréatiques Dont L'Eau Alimente Des Bras Morts, J. L. Reygrobellet, J. Mathieu, R. Ginet, J. Gibert

International Journal of Speleology

We have been working since 1975 on phreatic stations providing two old meanders of the French river Rhone with interstitial water. The hydrological characteristics are quite different (see diagrams in the text):

• The one (station 2) is a particular under-flow circulating laterally to the river (“paraécoulement”), which is closely subordinate with the varying level of the Rhone.
• The other (station 8) is the confluence of continental phreatic water proceeding from a Northeastern plateau (the “Dombes”) with the hyporheic of the river Ain (eastern tributary of the Rhone). The Rhone has no influence on the characteristics of this second interstitial flow. …

Fluoreszenzmikroskopische Untersuchung Der Bakterienflora Und Bestimmung Ihrer Heterotrophen Aktiviät In Organisch Belastetem Und Unbelastetem Grundwasser Sandig-Kiesiger Ablagerungen, Jürgen Marxsen

International Journal of Speleology

Bacteriological investigations were carried out in the groundwater of sandy and gravelly deposits of the river Fulda valley in an area named "Johannesaue" near the town Fulda (Hesse, Fed. Rep. of Germany). In January 1979 water samples were collected from 16 pumping tubes distributed in organically polluted and unpolluted areas. For characterizing the bacterial populations, methods used for surface waters were modified and, as far as the author is aware, these methods were used for the first time for investigations pertaining subterranean waters. The bacteria were counted by means of epifluorescence microscopy after staining the bacteria with the fluorochrome acridine …

International Symposium On Groundwater Biology: Introduction, John R. Holsinger, Arthur L. Buikema Jr.

International Journal of Speleology

Short presentation of the Symposium on Groundwater.

Investigation Of The Mutual Influence Between A Polluted River And Its Hyporheic, Milan Meŝtrov, Romana Lattinger-Penko

International Journal of Speleology

This paper describes investigations of fundamental biological and pratical importance. Interstitial subterranean water (hyporheic) which is near a polluted river in a plain is the subject of the study. The water is becoming increasingly important as a source of drinking water. The relation of the hyporheic water to the physical, chemical, bacteriological and faunistic characteristics of the river is discussed.

Structure Et Fonctionnement Des Ecosystèmes Du Haut-Rhône Français; Ix: Analyse Des Peuplements De Deux Stations Phréatiques Alimentant Des Bras Morts, J. Gibert, R. Ginet, J. Mathieu, J. L. Reygrobellet

International Journal of Speleology

Two phreatic stations providing old meanders of the French river Rhône (“Lônes”) with interstitial water have been studied for three years. The samples (100 liters of water) have been collected by the Bou-Rouch method at 60 cm deep in the sediment. The analyses of populations show that the biocenoses of the two stations are quite different: The one (Station 2) is rather specialized; most of the species are troglobitic (80% of the whole biomass; the only Amphipod, Niphargopsis casparyi, represents 67% of this biomass). The other (Station 8) is very diversified; the seven dominant groups are all epigean animals. …

Perspectives In The Study Of The Zoogeography Of Interstitial Crustacea: Bathynellacea (Syncarida) And Parastenocarididae (Copepoda), Horst Kurt Schminke

International Journal of Speleology

Aspects of the zoogeography of Bathynellacea and Parastenocarididae are discussed in the light of my recent investigations. Parastenocarididae in Australia are rare and not very diverse in number of species. Four species belonging to three genera were collected on a tour through Australia in 1968. Despite relationships to species from other Gondwanian landmasses the poorness of the Australian fauna, together with the apparent ability of this family to spread over longer distances, suggest a late arrival of Parastenocarididae in Australia. Invasion is likely to have taken place from two directions. As for the Bathynellacea, the relationships presumed to exist between …

The Edwards Aquifer: Earth's Most Diverse Groundwater Ecosystem?, Glenn Longley

International Journal of Speleology

Recent studies on the Edwards Aquifer, a karstic formed cavernous system in Texas, indicate an extremely diverse community of aquatic troglobites. Sampling of wells and springs is providing new insight into the dynamics of this fascinating system, which is possibly the most diverse subterranean aquatic ecosystem known in the world today.

Genetic Differentiation In Populations Of The Freshwater Amphipod Gammarus Minus Say In A Karst Area, Steven W. Hetrick, James L. Gooch

International Journal of Speleology

The genetic makeup of populations in a particular geographic area should conform, in part, to environmental structure. Three polymorphic enzyme loci in the amphipod Gammarus minus are geographically differentiated in gene frequencies in the mid-Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States, and genetic breaks usually coincide with topographical features and stream divides. Areas with well integrated drainage systems have a high degree of genetic uniformity.

Investigations Of The Troglobitic Crayfish Orconectes Inermis Testii (Hay) In Mayfield's Cave, Monroe County, Indiana, H. H. Hobbs Iii

International Journal of Speleology

Mark-recapture studies of some aspects of the biology of the cavernicolous crayfish, Orconectes inermis testii (Hay), were conducted from December, 1969 to March, 1970, in Mayfield’s Cave, Monroe County, Indiana. Population size was estimated to be 66 +/- 9 (95% C.L.) for the 300 m study area, but because of the small sample size, this is undoubtedly a deflated value. Size of animals, expressed as total length, indicates that the population was comprised primarily of adults. Seventy-four percent of the marked crayfish moved no more than 10.5 m away (total upstream and downstream distances) from the tagging site. Hence, this …