troglophilic

A troglophile is an organism that prefers to live in caves or similar dark environments but can survive and reproduce outside of them. The term "troglophile" comes from the Greek words "troglodytes," meaning cave dweller, and "philos," meaning loving. These organisms are not as specialized as obligate troglobites, which are entirely dependent on cave life and cannot survive outside.

Troglophiles often exhibit some adaptations to low-light conditions, such as reduced or absent eyes, depigmentation, and elongated appendages. However, these adaptations are typically less pronounced than those found in obligate cave dwellers. They may be found in caves but also inhabit other dark, humid environments like deep leaf litter, under rocks, or in burrows.

Examples of troglophiles include certain species of beetles, spiders, millipedes, and salamanders. These creatures might enter caves to escape unfavorable surface conditions, find food, or seek mates. While they find the cave environment suitable and often spend significant portions of their lives there, they possess the physiological capabilities to exist and reproduce in the epigean (surface) world. The presence of troglophiles in a cave system indicates a connection between the cave environment and the surface ecosystem.