Mammoth Cave Food Web
Cave
Central Kentucky, United States
Description
Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world's longest known cave system, supporting a food web almost entirely dependent on organic matter imported from the surface. Cave-adapted species including eyeless cavefish and cave crayfish have evolved over millions of years in total darkness. Energy enters through sinking streams, bat guano, and root penetration.
Trophic Pyramid
Level 5
Decomposers
Cave bacteria
Fungi on guano
Aquatic decomposers
3 species
Level 4
Tertiary Consumers
Kentucky cave shrimp
Predatory cave beetles
2 species
Level 3
Secondary Consumers
Southern cavefish
Cave beetles
Cave spiders
3 species
Level 2
Primary Consumers
Cave crayfish
Cave isopods
Springtails
3 species
Level 1
Producers
Chemolithotrophic bacteria
Root mats
Imported organic matter
3 species
Apex Predators
Tertiary Consumers
Secondary Consumers
Primary Consumers
Producers
Key Interactions
- Bat guano deposits provide a major energy subsidy to cave communities
- Eyeless cavefish detect prey through lateral line vibration sensing
- Sinking streams transport surface organic matter into the cave system
- Chemolithotrophic bacteria fix carbon from mineral substrates in deep passages