trogloxenes

Trogloxenes are animals that regularly use caves for shelter, roosting, or reproduction but must leave the cave to feed. They are part of a broader framework in speleology that also includes troglobionts, obligate cave dwellers that complete their life cycles inside caves, and troglophiles, organisms that can live and reproduce in caves but are also comfortable outside.

Most trogloxenes are vertebrates, with bats being the best-known example. Bats roost in caves during the day and may breed there, but they forage for food outside the cave. Other mammals and some birds may use cave entrances or cavities for shelter or nesting while obtaining food on the surrounding landscape. Invertebrates that rely on external resources for food can also be classified as trogloxenes when their use of the cave is primarily for shelter or reproduction rather than for feeding.

Ecology and significance: Trogloxenes influence energy and nutrient flows between surface ecosystems and subterranean habitats. For instance, bat guano that accumulates in caves supports specialized cave-dwelling invertebrates and contributes to the nutrient base of the broader cave ecosystem. The seasonal movements, hibernation, and reproductive behavior of trogloxenes shape interactions within cave communities and affect nutrient dynamics entering or leaving the cave system.

See also: troglobiont, troglophile.