Environmental predictors and invertebrate morphotypes in caves of Iuiú, Bahia, Brazil

In caves, the absence of natural light in deeper regions starkly contrasts with the entrance areas, which still exhibit a light gradient extending into the cave interior. This interplay with the structural gradient of the environment potentially exerts distinct influences on invertebrate communities residing in different cave light zones. To investigate this, we formulated a hypothesis positing that communities within distinct cave light zones respond differently to habitat structure and microclimatic conditions. Our approach involved a spatial multi-scale sampling of invertebrates and the application of statistical analyses to contrast the responses of communities inhabiting photic and aphotic zones. Photic zone richness is influenced by factors such as air moisture, resource availability, root presence, and shelter diversity. In contrast, the richness of communities in aphotic zones is shaped by resource availability, the presence of roots, branches, and distance from the cave entranc..., , , # Environmental predictors and invertebrate morphotypes in caves of Iuiú, Bahia, Brazil

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m0cfxppbx](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m0cfxppbx)

Spreadsheets detailing the variables and invertebrate species collected in limestone caves in the Iuiú region, Bahia, Brazil, organized by scale and light zone. The morphotypes were sampled during the dry season across two expeditions in 2021 and 2022.

## Description of the data and file structure

Spreadsheets presenting the variables and species collected in caves in the Iuiú region, Bahia, Brazil. The spreadsheets are organized by scale and light zone.

**Sector.scale.csv** = A spreadsheet containing all the sampled morphotypes and the measured predictors at the mesoscale (sector).

**Aphotic_quad.scale.csv** = A spreadsheet containing the sampled morphotypes and the measured predictors at the microscale (quadrant) in the aphotic cave zone.

**Photic_quad.scale.csv** = A spreadsheet containing the sampled morphot...