Inferring predator-prey interaction in the subterranean environment: a case study from Dinaric caves

Predator-prey interactions are among the most important biotic interactions shaping ecological communities and driving the evolution of defensive traits. These interactions and their effects on species received little attention in extreme and remote environments, where possibilities for direct observations and experimental manipulation of the animals are limited. In this paper, we study such type of environment, namely caves of the Dinarides (Europe), combining spatial and phylogenetic methods. We focused on several species of Niphargus amphipods living in phreatic lakes, as some of them use the dorsal spines as putative morphological defensive traits. We predicted that these spines represent a defense strategy against the olm (Proteus anguinus), a top predator species in the subterranean waters. We tested for spatial overlap of the olm and Niphargus species and showed that spined species live in closer proximity to and co-occur more frequently with the olm than non-spined species. Modeling of the evolution of the spines onto Niphargus phylogeny implies coevolution of this trait in the presence of olm. We conclude that these spines likely evolved as defensive traits in a predator-prey arms race. Combining multiple analyses, we provide an example for a methodological framework to assess predator-prey interactions when in-situ or laboratory observations are not possible.

Automated summary

Predator-prey interactions are important in shaping ecological communities and driving the evolution of defensive traits. In extreme and remote environments, like caves of the Dinarides, these interactions have received little attention. This study in European caves shows that spined Niphargus species co-occur more frequently with the olm, suggesting coevolution of defensive traits in a predator-prey arms race. The study provides a methodological framework for assessing predator-prey interactions when direct observations are not possible.