Can the Karaman-Chappuis method significantly enhance understanding of stygofauna ecology?

Comprehensive surveys on subterranean fauna are an emerging need for assessing species diversity patterns and developing biodiversity conservation strategies considering anthropogenic changes to the environment (e.g., mineral water extraction, climate change). Subterranean habitats comprise mainly terrestrial aquatic aspects of caves fissures, as well interstitial waters. Sampling stygofauna in Northern Western Australia is different other parts world due predominance meso- micro-caverns, thus methods largely constrained net hauling or pumping either drill holes bores installed groundwater exploration. Water also encountered at shallower depths beneath courses (the hyporheic zone) although it known share with systems, excluded studies. Interstitial can be sampled well-known Karaman-Chappuis (KC) method, which involves digging a hole saturated alluvial deposits, letting accumulate, use scoop collect invertebrates. However, application KC standard complementary method has date been unexplored. In collaboration Rio Tinto, we included alongside traditional sampling five study areas Hamersley Range Pilbara region, Australia. We aimed determine its utility better understand ecology recorded, therefore improve outcomes. Here, summarise faunal groups collected using (43 samples) from conducted between 2016 2019. found that stygofaunal more frequently by were Ostracoda (30.4%), Cyclopoida (28.0%), Haplotaxida (12.5%) Amphipoda (10.7%), but – Harpacticoida, Syncarida, Aphanoneura, Isopoda, Enchytraeida Trombidiformes lower frequency (total 4.9% records). Notably, troglofaunal catch. Pauropoda (28.1%), Symphyla (21.9%), Hemiptera (12.5%), Diplura Zygentoma (9.4%) Chilopoda (6.3%) most Palpigradi Polyxenida recorded 9.3% Additionally, one project where low level taxonomic data was available (based morphological molecular identification), assessed differences composition (10 compared haul (139 samples). significant methods, 13 (out 78 species) exclusively method. there considerable overlap two (11 species). Despite current limited data, our findings demonstrate could methods. It allows potentially connected occur beyond drilled minerals water. While this usually targets stygofauna, collection troglofauna catch provides potential way evaluate troglobitic taxa. Further needed assess valuable addition aiming produce comprehensive inventories integrate environments.