Life hidden in limestone – a new publication on the secrets of epicarse!

We are pleased to announce the publication of our latest article in the renowned journal "Freshwater Biology," co-authored by scientists from our Department (Andrea Desiderato, Michał Grabowski)! The paper, titled "Life in the Limestone: Patterns of Copepod Taxonomic and Molecular Diversity in the Epikarst," sheds new light on the extraordinary world of subterranean invertebrates.

What is this research about?

Scientists studied the epicarst—the upper, highly fractured layer of limestone in the Demänovská Valley in Slovakia. It is there, in the water seeping through the cave ceilings, that microscopic crustaceans—copepods (Copepoda) live.

Key findings:

Hidden diversity: Using molecular methods (DNA barcoding), it was discovered that the actual number of species (cryptic species) may be greater than their external structure would suggest.

Environmental Influence: Factors such as water flow, pH, and the thickness of the rock ceiling above the cave have a key impact on the species we encounter in a given location.

Genetic Structure: Studies have shown that copepod populations are distinctly genetically diverse, which results from the relative isolation of individual microhabitats within the karst massif.

This research is crucial for understanding how groundwater ecosystems function and how to effectively protect their unique biodiversity.

Grant and Implementation:

The research was carried out under a NAWA grant (Ulam Programme, PPN/ULM/2020/1/00134) in our department by Michal Rendoš, under the supervision of Michał Grabowski.

Congratulations to the entire team!

Link to the article: https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.70211