Troglofauna

Not to be confused with Troglodyte.

A troglobite is an animal that lives entirely in the dark parts of caves. Such creatures have become specifically adapted for life in total darkness and over time they have evolved to develop improved senses of smell, taste and vibration detection, while losing anatomical features that are superfluous without light, such as functioning eyes and pigmentation. Specific examples include the blind cave fish and cave crickets; there are numerous fish, shrimp, crayfish, and insects with this property. Troglobites are often endemic to a certain site, having adapted to its particular environment and food sources.

An aquatic troglobite is sometimes called a stygobite. Stygobites are synonymous with stygofauna.

List of troglobitic species

• Luray Caverns Blind Cave Millipede (Trichopetalum whitei)
• Olm or Proteus (Proteus anguinus)

Test

See also

• Stygofauna

References

• "Flora and Fauna of Caves: Troglobites" at Showcaves.com
• Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition (1989)