Energy from the depths: how aquatic chemoautotrophy fuels terrestrial food webs in a hidden sulfidic world

Energy from the depths: how aquatic chemoautotrophy fuels terrestrial food webs in a hidden sulfidic world | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 19 March 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Energy from the depths: how aquatic chemoautotrophy fuels terrestrial food webs in a hidden sulfidic world Authors : Raluca Bancila 0000-0002-7595-4621 , Ruxandra Niţescu , Luisa Dainelli , Traian Brad 0000-0002-6749-4338 [email protected] , Andrei Stefan , Serban Sarbu , and Mark Maraun 0000-0002-2736-8548 Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177393116.60491121/v1 149 views 70 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Trophic transfers from aquatic to terrestrial communities are well-documented in surface ecosystems which are dependent on photosynthesis, yet they remain largely understudied in sulfidic hypogean karst systems sustained by chemoautotrophy. Here, we applied a multi-approach stable-isotope analysis (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) to quantify trophic links between sulfidic groundwater and subterranean terrestrial communities in Sulfur Cave (Sarandaporo Valley, Albania-Greece border), tracing energy flow from chemoautotrophic microbial biofilms through dominant aquatic primary consumers (Tanytarsus albisutus, Chironomus riparius, Contacyphon palustris) to terrestrial predators (spiders, centipedes, pseudoscorpions and scorpions). Distinct trophic structures emerged among cave zones, with spatially segregated food webs clearly separated by stable-isotope signatures. Low niche overlap indicates limited sharing of trophic resources and a high degree of compartmentalization within the cave ecosystem. Chemosynthetically produced food was transferred almost exclusively to terrestrial predators via emerging aquatic insects, driving a largely unidirectional energy flow. A top predator showed zone-specific reliance on emerging aquatic insects indicating that aquatic subsidies cause predators to switch prey, depending on prey availability and location within the cave. Overall, this study challenges long-standing paradigms in subterranean ecology derived largely from epigenic karstic caves and sparsely studied sulfidic systems. Thus, we highlight the need to reconsider generalizations drawn from non-sulfidic karst systems when interpreting energy flow and ecosystem functioning in chemically driven subterranean systems. Supplementary Material File (manuscript.docx) Download 14.67 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 19 March 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords food-web analysis stable isotopes sulfidic cave sulfur cave Authors Affiliations Raluca Bancila 0000-0002-7595-4621 “Emil Racoviţӑ” Institute of Speleology of Romanian Academy View all articles by this author Ruxandra Niţescu National History Museum Grigore Antipa View all articles by this author Luisa Dainelli Water Research Institute National Research Council View all articles by this author Traian Brad 0000-0002-6749-4338 [email protected] Romanian Academy Cluj-Napoca Branch View all articles by this author Andrei Stefan Muzeul National de Istorie Naturala Grigore Antipa View all articles by this author Serban Sarbu Academia Română Institutul de Speologie Emil Racoviță View all articles by this author Mark Maraun 0000-0002-2736-8548 1Georg August University Göttingen View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 149 views 70 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Raluca Bancila, Ruxandra Niţescu, Luisa Dainelli, et al. Energy from the depths: how aquatic chemoautotrophy fuels terrestrial food webs in a hidden sulfidic world. Authorea . 19 March 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.177393116.60491121/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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