A1 Journal article (refereed)
Differing trophic niches of three French stygobionts and their implications for conservation of endemic stygofauna (2019)


Ercoli, F., Lefebvre, F., Delangle, M., Godé, N., Caillon, M., Raimond, R., & Souty-Grosset, C. (2019). Differing trophic niches of three French stygobionts and their implications for conservation of endemic stygofauna. Aquatic Conservation : Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 29(12), 2193-2203. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3227


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsErcoli, Fabio; Lefebvre, François; Delangle, Marjorie; Godé, Nil; Caillon, Michel; Raimond, Roland; Souty-Grosset, Catherine

Journal or seriesAquatic Conservation : Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

ISSN1052-7613

eISSN1099-0755

Publication year2019

Volume29

Issue number12

Pages range2193-2203

PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3227

Publication open accessNot open

Publication channel open access


Abstract

Groundwater ecosystems represent the greatest proportion of unfrozen freshwater on Earth and harbour high numbers of rare taxa with restricted distributions. Stygofaunal abundance, species richness, and ecology play essential roles in groundwater ecosystem services and functioning, as well as providing an important contribution to global biodiversity. However, as global depletion and contamination of groundwater pose serious and often irreversible threats to stygofauna, more information is urgently needed about the ecology of rare groundwater species to guide effective strategies for their conservation or restoration. In this study, analyses of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were used to compare and evaluate trophic niches and diets of a vulnerable stygobiont isopod, Gallasellus heilyi living in sympatry in French groundwater ecosystems with the isopod Caecosphaeroma burgundum and the amphipod Niphargus ladmiraulti. Stable isotope results showed trophic niche partitioning among the three stygobiont species and indicated that G. heilyi and C. burgundum occupy the role of primary consumers and N. ladmiraulti that of predator. Moreover, although G. heilyi and C. burgundum were shown to rely on the same food sources, indicating similar diets, and their trophic niches did not overlap, suggesting trophic specialization. The results suggest that detritus (i.e. decaying organic material) is an important food source for G. heilyi, and its availability could determine the survival of this endangered species. As a practical conservation measure for G. heilyi and the whole stygofauna community, we suggest reconnecting surface and subterranean ecosystems, as they probably were before natural sinks and many wells were filled up or closed.


Keywordsaquatic ecosystemsgroundwaterfood chainsecological nicheindigenous animal speciesendangered speciesCrustaceaIsopodaAmphipoda

Free keywordsbiofilms; endemic species; food chain; food sources; groundwater ecosystem; stable isotopes; trophic niches; partitioning; vulnerable species


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2019

JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-23-02 at 19:30