Biodiversity

The “Gruta do Carvão” cave system despite not having any endemic cave fauna, presents like other volcanic caves, biological communities adapted to the particular conditions and environment of this structures (namely, lack of light and high air humidity). Some of the fauna species inhabiting this cave are, Chthonius ischnocheles, Eidmanella pallida, Lathys dentichelis, Pholcus phalangioides e Steatoda grossa, among others.

Chthonius ischnocheles Eidmanella pallida
Lathys dentichelis Pholcus phalangioides
Steatoda grossa

Along the lava tube it´s possible to observe, in more than one place, roots that have penetrated through the cracks of the roof and reached the interior of the tube. These roots play a major role in the caves ecosystems since they provide physic and nutritive support to the biotic communities implanted in these environments.

Root on the tube´s interior