Distribuição espaço-temporal da fauna de invertebrados em meio subterrâneo superficial

Abstract

Subterranean habitats are formed by spaces below the surface comprised mainly of fissures, crevices, caves, which can be of different sizes, from small to large spaces in the rock. The Mesovoid Shallow Substratum (MSS), present in practically the whole planet, can harbor both invertebrates (e.g. spiders, springtails, beetles, etc.) and vertebrates (e.g. reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals), in addition to associated microbiota. The study of subterranean fauna in smaller spaces has great potential for expanding knowledge about the distribution of troglobiotic populations (restricted and exclusive to the subterranean environment) and non-troglobiotic populations in iron rocks as well as understanding the real extent of the subterranean environment. Surveys that taken into account the use of the area and also generate in-depth studies on species distribution, connectivity, and extension of the subterranean environment are important on decision-making. The verification of spatio-temporal diversity patterns using the beta diversity analysis (species turnover and nestedness) makes it possible to corroborate or not the maintenance of the connectivity of invertebrate populations that colonize such environments, favoring the conservation of broader areas in the context of iron formations.