Integrating formal surveys and local knowledge: Insights into the subterranean fauna of Apulia

The study of hypogean fauna is critical for preserving subterranean biodiversity and ecosystem functions despite climate change. However, underground habitats, often hosting unique and endemic species, present significant challenges for traditional biodiversity assessments owing to their inaccessibi...

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Main Authors: Sarah Boulamail, Salvatore Inguscio, Sara Ventruti, Benedetta Barzaghi, Damiano Brognoli, Raffaele De Giorgi, Joachim Langeneck, Elia Lo Parrino, Emanuele Mancini, Raoul Manenti, Alejandro Martínez, Martina Pulieri, Emanuela Rossi, Francesco Cozzoli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2025-05-01
Series:Subterranean Biology
Online Access:https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/140693/download/pdf/
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author Sarah Boulamail
Salvatore Inguscio
Sara Ventruti
Benedetta Barzaghi
Damiano Brognoli
Raffaele De Giorgi
Joachim Langeneck
Elia Lo Parrino
Emanuele Mancini
Raoul Manenti
Alejandro Martínez
Martina Pulieri
Emanuela Rossi
Francesco Cozzoli
author_facet Sarah Boulamail
Salvatore Inguscio
Sara Ventruti
Benedetta Barzaghi
Damiano Brognoli
Raffaele De Giorgi
Joachim Langeneck
Elia Lo Parrino
Emanuele Mancini
Raoul Manenti
Alejandro Martínez
Martina Pulieri
Emanuela Rossi
Francesco Cozzoli
author_sort Sarah Boulamail
collection DOAJ
description The study of hypogean fauna is critical for preserving subterranean biodiversity and ecosystem functions despite climate change. However, underground habitats, often hosting unique and endemic species, present significant challenges for traditional biodiversity assessments owing to their inaccessibility and the specialised nature of their inhabitants, resulting in a paucity of academic studies. Furthermore, even when these studies exist, data are often held in personal notes and databases that are not interoperable according to current standards, making them less usable for research purposes. Reawakening this dormant data, standardising, and sharing it according to modern criteria offers enormous opportunities to expand existing knowledge and provide support for future studies. In the Apulian region of Southern Italy, a biodiversity hotspot for subterranean life, the paucity of recent systematic surveys and reliance on expert knowledge poses both opportunities and challenges for ecological research. By integrating data from various sources, this study provides an overview of the subterranean faunal assemblages documented in this region. Overall, the dataset is comprehensive, comprising 109 species (29 of which are considered endemic to Apulia) and 224 sites, totalling 622 presence-only records. As our records have expanded over 93 years, this dataset represents a unique resource for elucidating the characteristics of Apulian subterranean ecosystems and potentially their changes over time. Integrating observations already published in previous studies with unpublished records, this is the first complete data collection on Apulian subterranean fauna organised according to modern standards of data sharing.
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series Subterranean Biology
spelling doaj-art-c1721acabf894a088f083edfb16bae202025-08-20T03:54:07ZengPensoft PublishersSubterranean Biology1314-26152025-05-0152294410.3897/subtbiol.52.140693140693Integrating formal surveys and local knowledge: Insights into the subterranean fauna of ApuliaSarah Boulamail0Salvatore Inguscio1Sara Ventruti2Benedetta Barzaghi3Damiano Brognoli4Raffaele De Giorgi5Joachim Langeneck6Elia Lo Parrino7Emanuele Mancini8Raoul Manenti9Alejandro Martínez10Martina Pulieri11Emanuela Rossi12Francesco Cozzoli13Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET) - National Research Council of Italy (CNR) URT LecceLaboratorio Ipogeo salentino di Biospeleologia “Sandro Ruffo”Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoUniversità degli Studi di MilanoDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesU.L.R. di Lecce, c/o Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesUniversità degli Studi di MilanoDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesLaboratory of Subterranean Biology “E. Pezzoli”Water Research Institute, National Research Council of ItalyDepartment of Biological and Environmental Sciences and TechnologiesLaboratorio Ipogeo salentino di Biospeleologia “Sandro Ruffo”Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (IRET) - National Research Council of Italy (CNR) URT LecceThe study of hypogean fauna is critical for preserving subterranean biodiversity and ecosystem functions despite climate change. However, underground habitats, often hosting unique and endemic species, present significant challenges for traditional biodiversity assessments owing to their inaccessibility and the specialised nature of their inhabitants, resulting in a paucity of academic studies. Furthermore, even when these studies exist, data are often held in personal notes and databases that are not interoperable according to current standards, making them less usable for research purposes. Reawakening this dormant data, standardising, and sharing it according to modern criteria offers enormous opportunities to expand existing knowledge and provide support for future studies. In the Apulian region of Southern Italy, a biodiversity hotspot for subterranean life, the paucity of recent systematic surveys and reliance on expert knowledge poses both opportunities and challenges for ecological research. By integrating data from various sources, this study provides an overview of the subterranean faunal assemblages documented in this region. Overall, the dataset is comprehensive, comprising 109 species (29 of which are considered endemic to Apulia) and 224 sites, totalling 622 presence-only records. As our records have expanded over 93 years, this dataset represents a unique resource for elucidating the characteristics of Apulian subterranean ecosystems and potentially their changes over time. Integrating observations already published in previous studies with unpublished records, this is the first complete data collection on Apulian subterranean fauna organised according to modern standards of data sharing.https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/140693/download/pdf/
spellingShingle Sarah Boulamail
Salvatore Inguscio
Sara Ventruti
Benedetta Barzaghi
Damiano Brognoli
Raffaele De Giorgi
Joachim Langeneck
Elia Lo Parrino
Emanuele Mancini
Raoul Manenti
Alejandro Martínez
Martina Pulieri
Emanuela Rossi
Francesco Cozzoli
Integrating formal surveys and local knowledge: Insights into the subterranean fauna of Apulia
Subterranean Biology
title Integrating formal surveys and local knowledge: Insights into the subterranean fauna of Apulia
title_full Integrating formal surveys and local knowledge: Insights into the subterranean fauna of Apulia
title_fullStr Integrating formal surveys and local knowledge: Insights into the subterranean fauna of Apulia
title_full_unstemmed Integrating formal surveys and local knowledge: Insights into the subterranean fauna of Apulia
title_short Integrating formal surveys and local knowledge: Insights into the subterranean fauna of Apulia
title_sort integrating formal surveys and local knowledge insights into the subterranean fauna of apulia
url https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/140693/download/pdf/
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