To get morphological substrates for sensory specialization in the subterranean mammals, we investigate both auditory and visual pathways in the mole. The inferior colliculus (IC), an auditory relay, projects not only to medial geniculate, the major gateway to the auditory cortex, but also to the lateral geniculate (LG), the major gateway to the visual cortex. Further evidence is that the LG doe...

The specialised subterranean fauna is often described as an iconic example of convergent evolution driven by environmental constraints, representing therefore ideal model system for eco-evolutionary studies. During the colonization environments, behavioural plasticity likely plays a fundamental role, quick response individuals to new environment key process enabling their long-term establishmen...

In caves, microorganisms (algae, bacteria, archaea, fungi, protoza, and viruses) are major producers and consumers of organic matter and contribute to the formation of several types of minerals. However, with the notable exception of sulfide-based ecosystems, little is known about community composition, their specific adaptations to the subterranean ecosystem, their biogeographical distribution...

We show using the most complete phylogeny of one of the most species-rich orders of vertebrates (Gobiiformes), and calibrations from the rich fossil record of teleost fishes, that the genus Typhleotris, endemic to subterranean karst habitats in southwestern Madagascar, is the sister group to Milyeringa, endemic to similar subterranean systems in northwestern Australia. Both groups are eyeless, ...

Pesticides can negatively affect insect immunity. Although studies show that Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, are resistant to microbial infections, the effects of pesticides on disease resistance is not well studied. In this study, C. formosanus previously fed lufenuron was exposed to each of the three entomopathogenic bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Schroeter)...

The Exterra Termite Interception and Baiting System (Ensystex Inc., Fayetteville, NC) was evaluated in a field experiment near Townsville, Australia. Cellulose-acetate powder containing either 0.05% weight/weight (w/w) or 0.25% w/w chlorfluazuron (Requiem) was tested for its efficacy in eradicating colonies of the mound-building subterranean termite Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt). Thirt...