Integrating Formal Surveys and Local Knowledge: Insights into the Subterranean Fauna of Apulia

Background

The study of hypogean fauna is critical to preserve subterranean biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in spite of climate change. However, underground habitats, often hosting unique and endemic species, present significant challenges for traditional biodiversity assessments due to their inaccessibility and the specialised nature of their inhabitants, which results in paucity of academic studies. Furthermore, even when these studies exist, data is often held in personal notes and databases,  which are not interoperable according to current standards, making it less usable for research purposes. Reawakening this dormant data, standardising and sharing it according to modern criteria offers enormous opportunities to expand existing knowledge and provide support for future studies.

Novel Information

In the Apulian region of Southern Italy, a biodiversity hotspot for subterranean life, the paucity of recent systematic surveys and the reliance on expert knowledge pose both opportunities and challenges for ecological research. By integrating data from various sources, this study provides an overview of the subterranean faunal assemblages documented in this region. Overall, the dataset is comprehensive of 109 species (29 of which are considered endemic of Apulia) and 224 sites, totalling 631 presence-only records. Since our records expand over 93 years,  this dataset represents a unique resource for elucidating the characteristics of Apulian subterranean ecosystems and, potentially, their changes over time. Integrating observations already published in previous studies with unpublished records, this is the first complete data collection on Apulian subterranean fauna  organised according to modern standards of data sharing.