Title
Data from: "Examining occurrence, life history, and ecology of cavefishes and cave crayfishes using both traditional and novel approaches", "Lithology and disturbance drive cavefish and cave crayfish occurrence in the Ozark Highlands ecoregion", and "Refining sampling protocols for cavefishes and cave crayfishes to account for environmental variation"


Description
This data is associated with chapter one from the thesis "Examining occurrence, life history, and ecology of cavefishes and cave crayfishes using both traditional and novel approaches" and two manuscripts, "Lithology and disturbance drive cavefish and cave crayfish occurrence in the Ozark Highlands ecoregion" and "Refining sampling protocols for cavefishes and cave crayfishes to account for environmental variation." The data consists of one XLSX file and one README file associated with the methodology and documentation to allow for replication and verification of findings.

Abstract
Diverse communities of groundwater-dwelling organisms (i.e., stygobionts) are important for human wellbeing. However, we lack an understanding of the factors driving their distributions, making it difficult to protect these at-risk species. Obtaining distribution data for stygobionts is diffiult because subterranean environments are some of the most difficult to sample. New sampling methods, such as environmental DNA (eDNA), show promise to improve stygobiont detection, but sources of sampling bias are poorly understood. Our study objectives were to quatify detection probability using traditional visual surveys and eDNA surveys for both cavefishes and cave crayfishes and determine the landscape factors related to the occurrence of cavefishes and cave crayfishes in the Ozark Highlands ecoregion, USA. We sampled cavefishes and cave crayfishes at 61 sampling units using both visual and environmental DNA surveys. We then modeled occurrence probability in relation to lithology and human disturbance while accounting for imperfect detection. The effectiveness of eDNA or visual surveys varied by environmental conditions (i.e., water volume, prevailing substrate, and water velocity) and the target taxa. Our results also indicated that occurrence probability of cave crayfishes was negatively associated with human disturbance, whereas there was a weak positive relationship between cavefish occurrence and disturbance. Both cavefishes and cave crayfishes were more likely to occur in limestone rather than dolostone lithology. Individual cave crayfish species were restricted to dolostone or limestone lithology; however, the Ozark cavefish (Troglichthys rosae) was detected in both lithology types. Our results indicate structuring factors are related to the distribution of these taxa, but with human disturbance as a prevalent modifier of distributions for crayfish taxa. Limiting human alteration near karst features may be warranted to promote the persistence of some stygobionts. Moreover, our results suggest current sampling efforts are inadequate to detect cryptic species; therefore, expanding sampling may be needed to develop effective conservation actions.

Data Description
SU: sampling unit surveyed
Date.1: date survey 1 was conducted at the sampling unit
Date.2: date survey 2 was conducted at the sampling unit
Date.3: date survey 3 was conducted at the sampling unit
Date.4: date survey 4 was conducted at the sampling unit
Date.5: date survey 5 was conducted at the sampling unit
Date.6: date survey 6 was conducted at the sampling unit
Date.7: date survey 7 was conducted at the sampling unit
Date.8: date survey 8 was conducted at the sampling unit
Date.9: date survey 9 was conducted at the sampling unit
Taxa: identification of taxa surveyed (Crayfish or Fish)
Meth.1: method used for survey 1 (Visual or eDNA, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
Meth.2: method used for survey 2 (Visual or eDNA, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
Meth.3: method used for survey 3 (Visual or eDNA, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
Meth.4: method used for survey 4 (Visual or eDNA, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
Meth.5: method used for survey 5 (Visual or eDNA, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
Meth.6: method used for survey 6 (Visual or eDNA, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
Meth.7: method used for survey 7 (Visual or eDNA, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
Meth.8: method used for survey 8 (Visual or eDNA, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
Meth.9: method used for survey 9 (Visual or eDNA, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
y.1: survey 1 (1 indicates species was detected, 0 indicates species was not detected, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
y.2: survey 2 (1 indicates species was detected, 0 indicates species was not detected, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
y.3: survey 3 (1 indicates species was detected, 0 indicates species was not detected, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
y.4: survey 4 (1 indicates species was detected, 0 indicates species was not detected, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
y.5: survey 5 (1 indicates species was detected, 0 indicates species was not detected, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
y.6: survey 6 (1 indicates species was detected, 0 indicates species was not detected, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
y.7: survey 7 (1 indicates species was detected, 0 indicates species was not detected, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
y.8: survey 8 (1 indicates species was detected, 0 indicates species was not detected, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
y.9: survey 9 (1 indicates species was detected, 0 indicates species was not detected, NA indicates the survey was not conducted)
Count.1: number of individuals observed on survey 1 (NA indicates a survey was not conducted)
Count.2: number of individuals observed on survey 2 (NA indicates a survey was not conducted)
Count.3: number of individuals observed on survey 3 (NA indicates a survey was not conducted)
Count.4: number of individuals observed on survey 4 (NA indicates a survey was not conducted)
Count.5: number of individuals observed on survey 5 (NA indicates a survey was not conducted)
Count.6: number of individuals observed on survey 6 (NA indicates a survey was not conducted)
Count.7: number of individuals observed on survey 7 (NA indicates a survey was not conducted)
Count.8: number of individuals observed on survey 8 (NA indicates a survey was not conducted)
Count.9: number of individuals observed on survey 9 (NA indicates a survey was not conducted)
Light.1: ambient light visible (yes) or not visible (no) at the water-sample location for survey 1 (NA indicates that light was not recorded)
Light.2: ambient light visible (yes) or not visible (no) at the water-sample location for survey 2 (NA indicates that light was not recorded)  
Light.3: ambient light visible (yes) or not visible (no) at the water-sample location for survey 3 (NA indicates that light was not recorded)
Light.4: ambient light visible (yes) or not visible (no) at the water-sample location for survey 4 (NA indicates that light was not recorded) 
Light.5: ambient light visible (yes) or not visible (no) at the water-sample location for survey 5 (NA indicates that light was not recorded) 
Light.6: ambient light visible (yes) or not visible (no) at the water-sample location for survey 6 (NA indicates that light was not recorded)
Light.7: ambient light visible (yes) or not visible (no) at the water-sample location for survey 7 (NA indicates that light was not recorded) 
Light.8: ambient light visible (yes) or not visible (no) at the water-sample location for survey 8 (NA indicates that light was not recorded)
Light.9: ambient light visible (yes) or not visible (no) at the water-sample location for survey 9 (NA indicates that light was not recorded)
Turb.1: water turbidity (NTU) for survey 1 measured at the location where the water sample was collected (NA indicates that turbidity was not recorded)
Turb.2: water turbidity (NTU) for survey 2 measured at the location where the water sample was collected (NA indicates that turbidity was not recorded)
Turb.3: water turbidity (NTU) for survey 3 measured at the location where the water sample was collected (NA indicates that turbidity was not recorded)
Turb.4: water turbidity (NTU) for survey 4 measured at the location where the water sample was collected (NA indicates that turbidity was not recorded)
Turb.5: water turbidity (NTU) for survey 5 measured at the location where the water sample was collected (NA indicates that turbidity was not recorded)
Turb.6: water turbidity (NTU) for survey 6 measured at the location where the water sample was collected (NA indicates that turbidity was not recorded)
Turb.7: water turbidity (NTU) for survey 7 measured at the location where the water sample was collected (NA indicates that turbidity was not recorded)
Turb.8: water turbidity (NTU) for survey 8 measured at the location where the water sample was collected (NA indicates that turbidity was not recorded)
Turb.9: water turbidity (NTU) for survey 9 measured at the location where the water sample was collected (NA indicates that turbidity was not recorded)
Time.1: The time (minutes) it took to complete survey 1 (NA indicates that time was not recorded)
Time.2: The time (minutes) it took to complete survey 1 (NA indicates that time was not recorded)
Time.3: The time (minutes) it took to complete survey 1 (NA indicates that time was not recorded)
Time.4: The time (minutes) it took to complete survey 1 (NA indicates that time was not recorded)
Time.5: The time (minutes) it took to complete survey 1 (NA indicates that time was not recorded)
Time.6: The time (minutes) it took to complete survey 1 (NA indicates that time was not recorded)
Time.7: The time (minutes) it took to complete survey 1 (NA indicates that time was not recorded) 
Time.8: The time (minutes) it took to complete survey 1 (NA indicates that time was not recorded)
Time.9: The time (minutes) it took to complete survey 1 (NA indicates that time was not recorded)
Length.1: the total length (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 1 (NA indicates length was not recorded) 
Length.2: the total length (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 2 (NA indicates length was not recorded) 
Length.3: the total length (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 3 (NA indicates length was not recorded) 
Length.4: the total length (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 4 (NA indicates length was not recorded) 
Length.5: the total length (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 5 (NA indicates length was not recorded)  
Length.6: the total length (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 6 (NA indicates length was not recorded) 
Length.7: the total length (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 7 (NA indicates length was not recorded) 
Length.8: the total length (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 8 (NA indicates length was not recorded) 
Length.9: the total length (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 9 (NA indicates length was not recorded) 
Width.1: average wetted width (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 1 (NA indicates width was not recorded) 
Width.2: average wetted width (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 2 (NA indicates width was not recorded) 
Width.3: average wetted width (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 3 (NA indicates width was not recorded)  
Width.4: average wetted width (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 4 (NA indicates width was not recorded) 
Width.5: average wetted width (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 5 (NA indicates width was not recorded) 
Width.6: average wetted width (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 6 (NA indicates width was not recorded)  
Width.7: average wetted width (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 7 (NA indicates width was not recorded)  
Width.8: average wetted width (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 8 (NA indicates width was not recorded)  
Width.9: average wetted width (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 9 (NA indicates width was not recorded) 
Depth.1: average water depth (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 1 (NA indicates depth was not recorded) 
Depth.2: average water depth (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 2 (NA indicates depth was not recorded) 
Depth.3: average water depth (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 3 (NA indicates depth was not recorded) 
Depth.4: average water depth (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 4 (NA indicates depth was not recorded)  
Depth.5: average water depth (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 5 (NA indicates depth was not recorded) 
Depth.6: average water depth (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 6 (NA indicates depth was not recorded) 
Depth.7: average water depth (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 7 (NA indicates depth was not recorded)  
Depth.8: average water depth (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 8 (NA indicates depth was not recorded) 
Depth.9: average water depth (meters) of the sampling unit for survey 9 (NA indicates depth was not recorded)
Vel.1: water-column velocity (cubic meters/sec) of the sampling unit for survey 1 (NA indicates velocity was not recorded)
Vel.2: water-column velocity (cubic meters/sec) of the sampling unit for survey 2 (NA indicates velocity was not recorded)
Vel.3: water-column velocity (cubic meters/sec) of the sampling unit for survey 3 (NA indicates velocity was not recorded)
Vel.4: water-column velocity (cubic meters/sec) of the sampling unit for survey 4 (NA indicates velocity was not recorded)
Vel.5: water-column velocity (cubic meters/sec) of the sampling unit for survey 5 (NA indicates velocity was not recorded)
Vel.6: water-column velocity (cubic meters/sec) of the sampling unit for survey 6 (NA indicates velocity was not recorded)
Vel.7: water-column velocity (cubic meters/sec) of the sampling unit for survey 7 (NA indicates velocity was not recorded)
Vel.8: water-column velocity (cubic meters/sec) of the sampling unit for survey 8 (NA indicates velocity was not recorded)
Vel.9: water-column velocity (cubic meters/sec) of the sampling unit for survey 9 (NA indicates velocity was not recorded)
Sub.1: substrate of sampling unit for survey 1 (Coarse or Fine, NA indicates substrate was not recorded) 
Sub.2: substrate of sampling unit for survey 2 (Coarse or Fine, NA indicates substrate was not recorded)
Sub.3: substrate of sampling unit for survey 3 (Coarse or Fine, NA indicates substrate was not recorded)
Sub.4: substrate of sampling unit for survey 4 (Coarse or Fine, NA indicates substrate was not recorded) 
Sub.5: substrate of sampling unit for survey 5 (Coarse or Fine, NA indicates substrate was not recorded)
Sub.6: substrate of sampling unit for survey 6 (Coarse or Fine, NA indicates substrate was not recorded)
Sub.7: substrate of sampling unit for survey 7 (Coarse or Fine, NA indicates substrate was not recorded)
Sub.8: substrate of sampling unit for survey 8 (Coarse or Fine, NA indicates substrate was not recorded)
Sub.9: substrate of sampling unit for survey 9 (Coarse or Fine, NA indicates substrate was not recorded)
Vol.1: water volume (length X width X depth; cubic meters) of the sampling unit for survey 1 (NA indicates volume could not be calculated)
Vol.2: water volume (length X width X depth; cubic meters) of the sampling unit for survey 2 (NA indicates volume could not be calculated)
Vol.3: water volume (length X width X depth; cubic meters) of the sampling unit for survey 3 (NA indicates volume could not be calculated)
Vol.4: water volume (length X width X depth; cubic meters) of the sampling unit for survey 4 (NA indicates volume could not be calculated)
Vol.5: water volume (length X width X depth; cubic meters) of the sampling unit for survey 5 (NA indicates volume could not be calculated)
Vol.6: water volume (length X width X depth; cubic meters) of the sampling unit for survey 6 (NA indicates volume could not be calculated)
Vol.7: water volume (length X width X depth; cubic meters) of the sampling unit for survey 7 (NA indicates volume could not be calculated)
Vol.8: water volume (length X width X depth; cubic meters) of the sampling unit for survey 8 (NA indicates volume could not be calculated)
Vol.9: water volume (length X width X depth; cubic meters) of the sampling unit for survey 9 (NA indicates volume could not be calculated)
Geo: the geological unit underlying the sampling unit
Catch: the catchment the sampling unit is within
Rech: the recharge area of the sampling unit (NA indicates the recharge area is not known)
Dist: an index of human disturbance within a 500-meter buffer around the sampling unit
veg: the average normalized difference vegetation index within a 500-meter buffer around the sampling unit
elev: the difference between the highest and lowest elevation within a 500-meter buffer around the sampling unit