Figure 4.
Conceptual model of the importance of speleogenesis mode evolution on the determination of species richness over time. Origin: a connection is established between the hypogenic system and the surface. In the first phase (t 1), there has not been enough time for organic matter and species entrance into the cave. In the second phase (t 2), nutrients begin to accumulate and species start to appear inside the cave; the relevance of the origin of the cave as a factor that controls species richness dilutes over time. Finally, in the last phase (t 3), hypogenesis is no longer an important factor in explaining richness patterns. Other factors, such as the degree of connection with the surface, may interact with time and change the relative duration of the different phases