caveadapted

Caveadapted is an adjective describing organisms that have evolved to live predominantly or exclusively in cave environments. In biology, such organisms are commonly referred to as troglobites. Caveadapted species are characterized by troglobitic traits that enhance survival in perpetual darkness and energy-limited caves: depigmentation or albinism, greatly reduced or absent eyes, and elongated appendages, antennae, or other sensory structures. Many also show a reduced or altered circadian rhythm, slower growth and reproduction, and metabolic adaptations suited to scarce food resources.

Caveadapted organisms belong to many phyla, including fishes, crustaceans, insects, arachnids, and amphibians. Their evolution is typically the result of convergent evolution in separate lineages, driven by the stable, dark, and resource-poor cave environment. Notable examples include the olm (Proteus anguinus) in Europe, the cave-dwelling Mexican tetra morph Astyanax mexicanus, and various troglobitic crustaceans and arachnids worldwide.

Ecology: Caveadapted species rely on indirect energy sources such as bat guano, leaf litter, and detritus that enter caves, or in some caves on chemoautotrophic microbial communities. Populations are often small and isolated, making them vulnerable to habitat disturbance and climate change.

Distinctions: Terms such as troglobiont, troglophile, and trogloxene describe different degrees of cave association. Troglobionts are obligate cave dwellers that cannot survive outside the cave, whereas troglophiles can complete life cycles in caves, and trogloxenes use caves periodically.