troglofile

A troglofile, or troglophile, is a cave-associated organism that regularly uses caves as a habitat and for reproductive or shelter needs but is not strictly limited to caves and can complete its life cycle outside them. The term derives from troglo- meaning cave or hole and -phile meaning lover; it entered cave biology in the 19th century.

In contrast, troglobionts are obligate cave-dwellers that rarely or never leave the cave, while trogloxenes visit caves for part of their life cycle but must forage outside.

Ecology and adaptations: troglofiles often use caves to avoid predators, regulate humidity and temperature, or find stable food sources. They may show mild troglomorphic traits such as reduced pigmentation or eyes in some populations, but these traits are not as pronounced as in troglobionts.

Examples and distribution: troglofiles include various invertebrates such as beetles, amphipods, isopods, spiders, and millipedes, as well as some cave-adapted vertebrates in certain regions. They are found in karst systems, lava tubes, and other cave-rich habitats worldwide. The classification is ecological, not taxonomic.