Rudimentary structures are variable, which is most impressively demonstrated by the eyes
and dark body pigmentation of species evolving in caves. As these can often still be crossed …

 Abstract DNA barcoding has become the most popular approach for species identification in
recent years. As part of the German Barcode of Life project, the first DNA barcode library for …

Behaviour is considered among the most important factors in colonising new habitats. While
population divergence in behaviour is well-documented, intraspecific variation in exploratory …

Animals that inhabit subterranean environments often undergo various distinct phenotypic
modifications (referred to as “troglomorphy”) as they transition to life in perpetual darkness …

The processes of vicariance and dispersal are central to our understanding of diversification,
yet determining the factors that influence these processes remains a significant challenge in …

Studying parallel evolution (repeated, independent evolution of similar phenotypes in similar
environments) is a powerful tool to understand environment‐dependent selective forces …

Repeated evolution of similar phenotypes is a widespread phenomenon found throughout
the living world and it can proceed through the same or different genetic mechanisms. Cave …

Regressive evolution involves the degradation of formerly useful traits as organisms invade
novel ecological niches. In animals, committing to a strict subterranean habit can lead to …

Niphargus comprises hundreds of narrowly-endemic West Palaearctic subterranean taxa.
However, a few exceptional species inhabit surface waters and have remarkably large …

Subterranean and surface habitats are in stark contrast in several environmental factors.
Therefore, adaptation to the subterranean environment typically impedes the (re) …