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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Scientific Data

An expanded ecological trait dataset and checklist for subterranean spiders of Macaronesia and continental Europe

  • Diego Patiño-Sauma1
  • Pedro Cardoso2,3
  • Pedro Oromí1
  • Paulo A. V. Borges4
  • Adrià Bellvert5
  • Luís Carlos Crespo4
  • Isabel R. Amorim6
  • Karla Tolić7
  • Martina Pavlek7,8
  • Giuseppe Nicolosi5,9
  • Nuria Macías-Hernández1,3
  • Stefano Mammola3,5
9 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Animal Biology, Edaphology and Geology, University of La Laguna, La Laguna, 38206 Tenerife, Canary Islands Spain
  2. 2Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Global Change and Sustainability Institute (CHANGE), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
  3. 3Finnish Museum of Natural History (LUOMUS), University of Helsinki, Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13, Helsinki, 00100 Finland
  4. 4University of Azores, CE3C—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE —Global Change and Sustainability Institute, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, Pico da Urze, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
  5. 5Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), National Research Council, Verbania Pallanza, Italy
  6. 6CE3C—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Azorean Biodiversity Group, CHANGE —Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, Pico da Urze, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
  7. 7Croatian Biospeleological Society, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
  8. 8Ruder Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
  9. 9Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via A.Longo 19, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Abstract

Caves and other subterranean ecosystems impose highly selective environmental filters, driving the evolution of convergent and specialized traits in subterranean organisms. Here, we present the first comprehensive checklist and trait database for subterranean spiders of Macaronesia, thereby filling a significant knowledge gap relative to continental Europe. We compiled data through direct morphological measurements and literature review, covering 64 morphological and ecological traits for 61 species (14 families) from Macaronesia, along with 66 additional species in continental Europe not included in the previous checklist. After accounting for taxonomic changes, the checklist of European subterranean spiders now lists 637 species, of which 278 are considered obligate subterranean dwellers (troglobionts). We used multidimensional hypervolumes to compare the functional spaces of Europe and Macaronesia and explore some putative eco-evolutionary patterns shaping both assemblies. The expanded trait database is a valuable resource for ecological and conservation research, highlighting the need for continued exploration and protection of subterranean biodiversity, including on oceanic islands.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{patinosauma2026expanded,
  title = {{An expanded ecological trait dataset and checklist for subterranean spiders of Macaronesia and continental Europe}},
  author = {Diego Patiño-Sauma and Pedro Cardoso and Pedro Oromí and Paulo A. V. Borges and Adrià Bellvert and Luís Carlos Crespo and Isabel R. Amorim and Karla Tolić and Martina Pavlek and Giuseppe Nicolosi and Nuria Macías-Hernández and Stefano Mammola},
  journal = {Scientific Data},
  year = {2026},
  month = jun,
  doi = {10.1038/s41597-026-07699-x},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-026-07699-x},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - An expanded ecological trait dataset and checklist for subterranean spiders of Macaronesia and continental Europe
AU  - Diego Patiño-Sauma
AU  - Pedro Cardoso
AU  - Pedro Oromí
AU  - Paulo A. V. Borges
AU  - Adrià Bellvert
AU  - Luís Carlos Crespo
AU  - Isabel R. Amorim
AU  - Karla Tolić
AU  - Martina Pavlek
AU  - Giuseppe Nicolosi
AU  - Nuria Macías-Hernández
AU  - Stefano Mammola
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/30
JO  - Scientific Data
DO  - 10.1038/s41597-026-07699-x
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-026-07699-x
AB  - Caves and other subterranean ecosystems impose highly selective environmental filters, driving the evolution of convergent and specialized traits in subterranean organisms. Here, we present the first comprehensive checklist and trait database for subterranean spiders of Macaronesia, thereby filling a significant knowledge gap relative to continental Europe. We compiled data through direct morphological measurements and literature review, covering 64 morphological and ecological traits for 61 species (14 families) from Macaronesia, along with 66 additional species in continental Europe not included in the previous checklist. After accounting for taxonomic changes, the checklist of European subterranean spiders now lists 637 species, of which 278 are considered obligate subterranean dwellers (troglobionts). We used multidimensional hypervolumes to compare the functional spaces of Europe and Macaronesia and explore some putative eco-evolutionary patterns shaping both assemblies. The expanded trait database is a valuable resource for ecological and conservation research, highlighting the need for continued exploration and protection of subterranean biodiversity, including on oceanic islands.
SN  - 2052-4463
ER  -