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A GUIDE TO MISSOURI’S
byWilliam R. Elliott
CAVELIFE
70 Cave Species Brought to Light
hisguidefillsaneedforafieldidentificationmanualandintroductiontothetypicalcavelifeofMissouri.ItwillbeusefulthroughouttheOzarkRegionandadjacentstates,wheremanyofthesamespeciesorgeneraoccur.Theaudienceforthisguideincludescavers,naturalists,caveguides,teachersandexperiencedstudents.YoumayaccessthisguideontheBiospeleologyWebsiteathttp://www.utexas.edu/tmm/sponsored_sites/biospeleology.TheMissouriDepartmentofConservationalsopublishesothermaterialoncavesandkarst.
About900speciesofanimalsareknownfromMissouricaves.InanOzarkcaveyouwillencounterrelatedspeciesthatlooklikesomeofthe70imagesinthisguide.Avoidmakingthesubjectfitthephoto,andreadthecaptionstoseeiftheidentificationfits.Manysmallcreatureshavefeaturesthatonlyanexpertcouldidentifyonapreservedspecimen.
Pleasedonothandlewildlifeunlessyouareaqualifiedbiologist.DonotremovewildlifefromacaveexceptunderaMissouriWildlifeCollector’sPermit,includingsmallinvertebrates,evenforeducationaluse.ThepermitisavailablefromtheMissouriDepartmentofConservation.Donothandlewildmammals,astheymayharborcommunicablediseases.Rabiesoccursatlowratesinbats,andismorecommoninskunks,butwildmammals,especiallycarnivores,shouldonlybehandledwhennecessarybythosewhohavebeenvaccinatedagainstrabies.
Avoidcloseexaminationandphotographyofbatsunlessitisnecessaryforascientificstudy.Lights,noiseandbodyheataredisturbingtobats,andmaycausethemtowakeupfromhibernationandexpendtoomuchoftheirfatreserves,whichtheyneedtosurvivethewinter.Summerbatcoloniesoftenfleefromintruders,droppingtheiryoung,whichtheycannotretrievefromtheground.
Donotenteracavewithoutthepermissonoftheowner,andobeysignspostedthere.Itisunlawfultodiginacavewithoutapermit,ortotamperwithorbypassacavegateorfence.Safetyrequireseachcavertohaveahelmetwithachinstrapandaheadlamp,twobackuplightsources,sturdylace-upbootswithgrippingsolesandgloves.Optionalequipmentincludeskneeandelbowpadsandspecialinsulation.ContacttheMissouriDepartmentofConservation’scavebiologist,oryourclosestNationalSpeleologicalSociety“grotto”(club)forfurtherinformation.
MostphotosarebyWilliamR.Elliott,cavebiologistfortheMissouriDepartmentofConservation.ManythankstoJamesE.Gardner,JimRathert,DavidC.Ashley,LawrenceIreland,TomJohnson,HarryHarnish,RickThom,DantéFenolio,A.J.HendershottandGregStonerfortheuseoftheirphotos,andHortonH.HobbsIIIandWilliamL.Pfliegerfortheirillustrations.IamgratefultoMikeSlay,PatrickKipp,BernadetteDrydenandSusanFine,whoassistedmeinthisproject.
Introduction
T
Note:Thisbookletusesthemetricsystemthroughout.Thereare25.4mm(2.54cm)perinch,soa75-mmsalamanderisabout3incheslong.
Worms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Snails. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19Amphipods . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Isopods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Decapods . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Spiders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Harvestmen. . . . . . . . . . . . .27Pseudoscorpions . . . . . . . . .28Millipedes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Insects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Fishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Salamanders . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Frogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Birds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Bats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Contents
Vertebrates Invertebrates
Grotto SalamanderEurycea spelaeainTumblingCreekCave,TaneyCounty,Missouri.Thisindividualisequallyathomeinwateroronadampfloor.Adultsrangefrom75-120mm.Notetheskingrowingovertheeyesandtheabsenceofgillsintheadult.ThisspecieswascalledTyphlotriton spelaeusformanyyears.
(front cover)
SB=stygobite(aquatictroglobite)TB=troglobitePB=phreatobiteSP=stygophileTP=troglophileSX=stygoxeneTX=trogloxenePleaseseetheglossaryfordefinitionsoftheseterms.
Southern Cavefish
Ozark CavefishAmblyopsis rosae(Eigenmann),SB:Knownfromabout41localitiesinBarry,Christian,Greene,Jasper,Lawrence,NewtonandStonecounties,andadjacentpartsofOklahomaandArkansas.Lengthupto56mm.ListedasendangeredbytheMissouriDepartmentofConservation,andthreatenedbytheU.S.Fish&WildlifeService.
2
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Typhlichthys subterraneusGirard,SB:Knownfromabout24localitiesinCamden,Carter,Dent,Howell,Laclede,Oregon,Phelps,Ripley,ShannonandWaynecounties,thiscavefishcannotbedistinguishedeasilyfromtheOzarkcavefish,whichoccurstothewest.Lengthupto105mm.
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Grotto Sculpin
Banded Sculpin
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Cottus carolinae,TX:Sometimesfoundincaves,butusuallyinastarvingcondition.Upto130mm.
Cottussp.,SB:ThissmallfishfromPerryCountycavesisauniqueformthathasevolvedfromthebandedsculpin,butithasvaryingreductionsineyesize,pigmentationandpelvicfinraynumber.
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Young Eurycea Salamander Larvae
Western Slimy Salamander
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These20-mmlarvaeinMushroomCave,MeramecStatePark,aredifficulttodistinguishfromGrottosalamanderlarvaeofthesameage.Grottosalamandershave16-19costalgrooveswhileotherEurycealarvaehave13-15.ThesnoutismoreroundedandbluntthaninGrottosalamander.
Plethodon albagulaorglutinosus,TX:Theremaybemorethanonespeciesof“slimysalamander”inMissouri.Mostareblackwithsilverorwhiteflecksontheside.Thechinandbellyaredarkgrayandtheyfeelslimywhentouched.Length122-172mm.
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Cave Salamander
Long-tailed Salamander
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Eurycea lucifuga Rafinesque,TP:Theypreferstreamcaves,primarilyinthetwilightzone,buttheyarealsofoundindamphabitatsoutsidecaves.Length100-177mm.Thisspecieshasvariablecoloration,withdarkordepigmentedpatchesinsomeindividuals.Afewpopulationshavelongertails,similartothelong-tailedsalamander.
Eurycea longicauda longicauda(Green),TP:LimitedtosoutheasternMissouriandfarthereast,thisyellowishformusuallyhasverticalbarsonthesidesandtail(moredistinctonthetail).Length102-159mm.
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Long-tailed Salamander
Dark-sided Salamander
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Eurycea longicauda,fromShannonCounty,TP:PopulationsinthetransitionzonefromSt.LouistoShannonandOregoncountieshavevariouspatterns.Thisindividualisnotdark-sidedbutneitherisitdistinctlythelongicaudasubspecies.
Eurycea longicauda melanopleura(Cope),TP:ProbablythemostcommonsalamanderinMissouricaves,thissubspeciesisyellowish-greentoyellowish-brownwithdarkpigmentalongthesides.Itisabitmoreaquaticthanthecavesalamander,anditfeedsmoreonaquaticinvertebrates.Foundmostlywestofthetransitionzone.Length102-159mm.
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Ozark Salamander
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Plethodon angusticlaviusGrobman,TP:Slenderspecieswithanarrow,somewhatlobedmid-dorsalstripe,widerbehindthehindlegs,withirregularorwavyedgesrangingfromyellowtoorangeorred.Somelackadorsalstripe.Sidesdarkgraytobrownish-gray;bellyhaswhiteandblackmottling.Length60-98mm.SometimescalledtheOzarkzigzagsalamander.SouthwesternMissouri;maybecommonincaves.
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Southern Redback SalamanderPlethodon serratusGrobman,TP:SimilartotheOzarksalamander,buttheirrangesdonotoverlap.Narrow,redororangemid-dorsalstripewithsaw-toothededges.Sidesarebrownish-graywithsomeredpigment;bellyhasgraymottling.CentralandeasternMissouri;commonincaves.Length81-105mm.
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Pickerel Frog
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Rana palustrisLeConte,TX:TheonlyMissourifrogtousecavesregularlyandinlargenumbers.Useswetcavesasrefugesfrombothhotandcoldweather;eatsavarietyofarthropods,butprobablydoesnotpreymuchwithincaves.Oftenemaciatedbyspringtime.Length44-80mm.DistinguishedfromotherRanaspeciesby1)parallelrowsofsquarishorrectangularspotsontheback,2)distinctcream,yelloworgoldendorsolateralfoldand3)brightyellowcolorontheundersideofhindlegsandgroinarea.
Grotto SalamanderEurycea spelaea(Stejneger),SB:Olderlarva,50-120mmlong.Astheanimalmaturesitseyesandpigmentregress.Somelarvaearelargerthanadults,upto90-120mmlong.Notetheexternalgillsalongeachsideofthehead.Seeadultpicturedoncover.
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Green Frog
Northern Spring Peeper
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Rana clamitansLatreille,TX:Oftenabronzecolorwithincavesduetolackofsunlight,57-89mm.LesscommonincavesthanPickerelfrogs.DistinguishedfromotherRanaspeciesbydorsolateralfoldthatextendsonlytomidbody.
Pseudacris crucifer crucifer(Wied),TX:ReportedfromsevencavesinMissouributprobablymorecommon,thissmall,slenderfroghasadarktofaintX-shapedmarkontheback;colorvariesfrompinktogray;length19-32mm.
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Dwarf American Toad
Eastern Phoebe
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Bufo americanus charlesmithiBragg,TX:GenerallysmallerthantheAmericantoad,thissubspeciesoccursinsouthernMissouri.About50mmwithkidney-shapedparotidglandsbehindtheeyesanddistinctbumps(warts)ontheback.Twilightzone.
Sayornis phoebe(Latham):Manyentranceshaveoldnests.Youngbirdsareoftenfoundinspringinnestsonentranceledges.
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Turkey Vulture Chicks
Eastern Pipistrelle
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Cathartes aura,TX:Rough-wingedswallows,cliffswallows,owlsandotherbirdsalsorearyoungincaveentrancesinthespringandshouldnotbedisturbed.
Pipistrellus subflavus(Cuvier),TX:ThemostcommonlyseencavebatinMissouri.Wingspan21-26cm,forearm31-35mm,weight6-8g.Asmallbatwithtricoloredpelage(fur),blondetomediumbrown,oftenwithdew,thewingskinisalmostblack,andtheforearmsusuallyarepink.Thetipofthetragusintheearisrounded,unlikemostMyotisinwhichitispointed.“Pips”liveinmostofourcaves,wheretheyprefertoroostsinglyinthedarkzone.Hibernatesuptosixmonths.
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Big Brown Bat
Little Brown Bat (left) and Indiana Bat (right)
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LittlebrownandIndianabatslookalmostalike.Myotis lucifugus(LeConte),TX,wingspan22-27cm,forearm34-41mm,weight7-14g,iscloselyrelatedtotheIndianabat.TheLittlebrownhasmediumtodarkbrownfur;bellyfurdistinctlylighterthanback;darkforearmswithchocolatebrownwingmembrane;furandmembranesglossy;fursometimescoveredwithcondensation.Commonthroughoutitsrange,hibernatesincaves.Mayroostsingly,inpairsorinclustersofadozenormorebats;likesatticsinsummer.TheIndianabathasasofter,dullerlook.
Eptesicus fuscus(deBeauvois),TX:Wingspan32-40cm,forearm42-51mm,weight14-21g.Alargebatwithlong,wavy,chestnutfur;abroad,darkmuzzle;andbroadtragus.Hibernatesnearchillyentrancesinwinter,singlyandsometimesinsmallclusters,butoftenmoves.Oftenusesbuildingsandbathousesinsummer.W
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Indiana Bat
Hibernating Indiana Bats
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Myotis sodalisMillerandAllen,TX:Wingspan24-28cm,forearm35-41mm,weight6-9g.Anendangeredspecies.Pinknosesortofflattened;furdarkgrayorbrownwithasoft,dull,frizzyquality;bellyfursomewhatlighterthanbackfur.Indianashaveasmallkeelontheedgeofthemembranenexttotheankle,notnormallyvisible.
Indianabatsusuallyhibernateinclustersbutmayroostsingly.Theyformlarge,denseclustersof300-400persquarefoot,sometimesthousandsatatime.Recordedfromabout60Missouricaves,butnowlimitedtoabout20cold-air-trapcaves.Vulnerabletodisturbanceduringhibernation.Notincavesinsummer.
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Gray Bats
Bat Stains
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Myotis grisescens(Howell),TX:Wingspan27-32cm,forearm40-46mm,weight8-11g.Furuniformmediumgray,butbleachestoreddishbyspringandearlysummer.Usescavesyear’round,formslooserclustersthanIndianabats,oftenwithwingsunfolded,about170persquarefoot.Summercoloniesforminwarmcavesinrivervalleysornearlakes,makinglargeguanomounds.Highlyvulnerabletodisturbanceduringallseasons.
BatstainsinanabandonedGraybatmaternityroost.Lootersdisturbedthecolonywhentheybreachedthecavegatetodigupartifacts.Graybats,thoughendangered,stillhavethelargestcoloniesinMissouriandaretheonlyspecieslikelytoleavelargeguanopilesandextensiveceilingstains.
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Hibernating Gray Bats
Northern Bat
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Hibernatinggraybats,Myotis grisescens,oftenformlooseclusters.Theirhabitofhanginguponotherbatsproducesmultiplelayersinsomeclusters.Hibernatesinverylargenumbersinonlyafewcold-air-trapcaves.
Myotis septentrionalis(Trouessart),TX:Wingspan23-27cm,forearm32-39mm,ears17-19mm,weight6-9g.Formerlycalled“NorthernLong-earedbat”and“Keen’sbat,”thisspecieshaslongears,butonlyhalfaslongasaBig-earedbat’s.Oftenroostssolitarily,butsometimeshibernatesinsmallclustersoffiveor10;frequentlytuckedintoholesinceilingsortightcrevicesinformations.
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Eastern Small-footed Bat
Eastern Red Bat
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Myotis leibii (AudubonandBachman):47mmmalefoundunderleavesinReynoldsCounty.Thisbatsometimesroostsunderrocksincavesandmines.
Lasiurus borealis(Muller),TX:Wingspan28-33cm,forearm35-45mm,weight9-15g.Redbatsinhabittreesandusuallyhangbyonefoottomimicaleaf.Theyswarmatsomecaveentrancesinautumnformating.Theybeartwotofouryounginthespring.Occasionallytheymaywanderfarintoacave.Thisindividualdied,butwasstillhangingbyonefootintheBatGraveyardofGreatSpiritCave,PulaskiCounty.
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Beaver
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Castor canadensis,inthedarkzoneofPrairieHollowCave,CamdenCounty.BeaversoftenpenetratecavesalongriversinMissouri,andtheirnestsharborvariousinvertebrates.
Sphalloplana evaginataSphalloplana evaginataKenk,SB:AblindplanarianfromBeromeMooreCave,PerryCounty,upto30mmlongandpinkish.Sphalloplana hubrichtilivesinaspringandacaveinJeffersonandSte.Genevievecounties.NewspeciesofSphalloplanaprobablyexistinMissouri.
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Horsehair Worm
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Macrocotyla glandulosa(Hyman),knownonlyfromDevil’sIceboxCave,BooneCounty,SB:Upto30mm.Macrocotyla lewisioccursinthreecavesinPerryCounty.MacrocotylaandSphalloplanaaredifficulttotellapartinthefield.
Gordiussp.:Agordianwormornematomorph,about20cmlong,isthefree-livingadultformoftheparasitethatlivesincamelcrickets.Theadultescapesfromablisteronthesideofthecricketandlivesinpools.Cricketsarere-infectedfromingestingtheeggswhiledrinkingthewater.
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Fontigens aldrichi
Inflectarius inflectus
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Fontigens aldrichi(CallandBeecher),SP:Thistinycavesnail(<2mm)probablyisoverlookedinmanycavesandsprings,whereitisfoundundersubmergedrocksorrottingleavesandwood.Usuallythereislittleorganicdetritusinstreamswherethesesnailsarefound.FivehydrobiidsnailsarefoundinMissouri:ThreeFontigens,Amnicola stygiaandAntrobia culveri;thelatterisuniquetoTumblingCreekCave.
Inflectarius inflectus(Say),TP:Aterrestrial,polygyridsnail,about5mm,knownfromawidevarietyofhabitatsinallcavezones.FormerlyknownasMesodon,itismostoftenfoundinleaflitterandisalsoknownfromIllinois,KentuckyandAlabama.
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Crangonyx forbesi
Stygobromus ozarkensis
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Crangonyx forbesiHubrichtandMackin,SP:Acommonstygophile,about17mm,thiseyedandpigmentedamphipodisknownfromawidevarietyofmicrohabitats,includingrifflesandpoolsofstreams,rimstonepoolsanddrippoolsinallcavezones,andfromsurfacesprings.Thisaggregation,fromLoneHillOnyxCave,FranklinCounty,mayexhibitreproductivebehavior.WidespreadintheMidwest.
Stygobromus ozarkensis(Holsinger),SB:Ablindamphipod,about13mm,foundintheSpringfieldPlateauofsouthwesternMissouriandadjacentpartsofArkansasandOklahoma.PhotofromTumblingCreekCave,TaneyCounty.Perhaps10speciesofStygobromusareknownfromMissouricaves,springsandwells.About200species,allsubterranean,occurintheNorthernHemisphere.
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Bactrurus brachycaudus
Allocrangonyx hubrichti
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Bactrurus brachycaudusHubrichtandMackin,PB:At19-30mmlong,thelargestfreshwateramphipodinNorthAmericaoccursincaves,springsandwellsinMissouriandIllinois.ThreespeciesofBactrurusoccurinsubterraneanMissouri.
Allocrangonyx hubrichtiHolsinger,PB:Male,15mmlong,aspeciesofconcerninMissouri.FormerlycalledtheCentralMissouricaveamphipod,thisspecieswasreportedfromawellinArkansasandwasrenamedHubricht’slong-tailedamphipod,referringtothelongthirduropodsinthemale.Italsooccursingaining-streambottomsamplesandsprings.
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Caecidotea antricola
Lirceus sp.
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Caecidotea antricolaCreaser,SB:Anaquaticisopodabout20mmlong.Missouricaveshaveatleast16speciesofCaecidotea,awidelydistributedsubterraneangenusinNorthAmerica.
Lirceussp.,SPorSX:Anaquaticisopodabout10mmlongfromHerculesLookoutCave,TaneyCounty.Thiseyedspecieshasbeencollectedfromrifflesandpoolsofstreams,isolatedpoolswithmuddybottomsanddeeprimstonepools,inallzones.AlthoughHubrichtandMackin(1949)reportedfivespeciesofLirceusfromMissouri,onlytwospeciesmaybedistinguishedatthistime.
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Trichoniscid Isopod
Pillbugs
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Unidentifiedtrichoniscidisopod,about5mm.ThetroglobiticBrackenridgia ashleyiwasdescribedfromTumblingCreekCave,TaneyCounty,andtroglophilicMiktoniscusandHaplopthalmusarefoundinrottingwoodandsoil.Sometrichoniscidsareamphibious.Notetheconicaluropodsontheposterior,characteristicoftrichoniscids.
Armadillidium vulgare(Latreille),TX:Pillbugisopods,5-10mmlong,rollingup.Thisintroducedspeciesisinseveralstates.Itoccursintheloosesoil,leaves,sticksandfecesofturkeyvulturenestsandfarfromcaveentrancesintotaldarkness.Softer,pale“sowbugs,”suchasCyclisticus(TP),Metoponorthus(TX)andPorcellio(TX),maybefoundindunganddetritus.
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Bristly Cave Crayfish
Salem Cave Crayfish
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Cambarus setosusFaxon,SB:Adults53-119mmlong.Knownfromabout46caves,springsandwellsinanine-countyareaontheSpringfieldPlateau,andafewsitesinnortheasternOklahomaandnorthernArkansas.Thisspecieshassmall,unpigmentedeyes,anditcanrespondtolight.Thesetaeonthepincersarelongandbristly.AspeciesofconcerninMissouri.
Cambarus hubrichtiHobbs,SB:Adults58-94mmlong.Ithasshort,inconspicuoussetaeonthepincers;andothersmalldifferences.East-centralOzarksofMissouri,fromabout22cavesandspringsfromCamdenandCrawfordcountiessouthtoHowellandRipley.Respondstolightandvibrations.AspeciesofconcerninMissouri.
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Caney Mountain Cave Crayfish
Spothanded Crayfish
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Orconectes stygocaneyiHobbs,SB:Adults84-104mm.Thisspecies,discoveredin1999,isknownonlyfromonecaveintheCaneyMountainNaturalArea,OzarkCounty.Thesmall,vulnerablepopulationisprotectedandperiodicallycheckedbybiologists.ItiscloselyrelatedtoO. pellucidus,theMammothCavecrayfish,andisthefirststygobiticOrconectesfoundwestoftheMississippiRiver.
Orconectes punctimanus(Creaser),TX:Adults32-110mmlong.Apairofcrayfishmatinginacavestream.Thiseyedspecieslikestowanderupstreamintocaves.
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Male Gonopods of Missouri Cave Crayfishes
Meta ovalis
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MalegonopodsofMissouricavecrayfishes:a)Ventralviewofgonopodsbetweenposteriorwalkinglegs,Orconectes stygocaneyi.b)FormI(mature),O. stygocaneyi,rightgonopod,ventralview.c)FormI,Cambarus hubrichti.d)FormI,Cambarus setosus.e)FormII(immature)gonopod,C. setosus.FormIIusuallycannotbeidentifiedtospecies.
Meta ovalisGertsch,TP:Thespider(8-10mm)isguardingitseggsac.ItisawidespreadspeciesincavesandcavelikehabitatsintheeasternUnitedStates.FormerlyMeta menardii.
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Fishing Spider
Daddy Longlegs
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Dolomedessp.,TP:Afishingspider,commonlyfoundinentranceroomsornearwater.Body7-26mm.
Leiobunumsp.,TX:Daddylonglegs(harvestmen)clusterindark,moistplacesneartheentrance.Theyleavethecaveatnighttofeedonfeces,carrionandsometimesaphids.Theyarenotspiders,butopilionids—arachnidswithafusedbodyformandnosilkorvenomglands.Theyemitadefensiveodorwhendisturbed,arenonvenomousandtheirchelicerae(mouthparts)aretoosmalltoinflictabite.FourspeciesofLeiobunumhavebeenfoundinMissouricaves.Otherharvestmenmayhaveshorterlegsandspinypedipalps(arm-likeappendages)fortakingsmallinsects.
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Pseudoscorpion
Tingupa pallida
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Hesperochernes occidentalisisatroglophilicpseudoscorpion,foundinbatguano,dung,orwoodratnests.Theypreyonsmallarthropods.Thisfemaleiscarryingseveralembryosbeneathherabdomen.FiveotherspeciesofApochthoniusandMundochthoniusaretroglobiteswithelongatedappendages.Sizesrangefrom2-5mm.
Tingua pallidaLoomis,aconotylidcavemillipede,TB:Usuallycollectedfromleaflitterandwet,rottingwoodintotaldarkness.ConsideredatroglobiteinMissouri,itmayhavebeencollectedfromleaflitterinIllinois.Length5-10mm.Millipedesfeedonfungiandbacteria,havetwopairsoflegsonmostbodysegmentsandaremorecommonincavesthancentipedes,whicharepredatorswithonepairoflegspersegment.
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Causeyella dendropus
Narceus americanus
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Causeyella dendropus(Loomis),atrichopetalidcavemillipede,TB:FromSmallinCave,ChristianCounty.Knownfromfewerthan10caves,oftenfoundonrottenwoodlikethemorecommonmillipede,Tingupa pallida,butrarelyinthesamecave.Notethelongsetae.Length5-10mm.
Narceus americanus(Beauvois),TX:Alarge(about50mm)spirobolidmillipedehibernatingontheceilinginBigBarnHollowCave,TexasCounty.Specimensseeninentrances,twilightandtotaldarkness.Itoftenoverwintersincaves.
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Springtails
Campodeid dipluran
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FamilyOnychiuridae,about1mmlong,sittingonthesurfaceofasmalldrippool,TP:Upto62speciesofCollembola—small,hoppinginsects—inhabitMissouricaves.About31aretroglophiles,sevenaretroglobites,fivearetrogloxenesand19areaccidentals.ThemostcommongenusisPseudosinella,FamilyEntomobryidae.
CampodeiddipluranTB:About10mmlong,thisprimitive,eyeless,winglessinsectwithtwotailsmayalsobefoundinsoil,whereitwouldbetermedanedaphobite.
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Camel Cricket
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Ceuthophilus gracilipesHubbell,TX:Afemalecamelcricket(onceiling)canbeidentifiedbyherlong,swordlikeovipositorbetweenthehindlegs,usedforlayingeggs.Maleslacksuchastructure.
Camel Cricket (molting)Ceuthophilus gracilipesHubbell,TX:AcamelcricketmoltsinRoundSpringCavern,ShannonCounty.ThisisthemostcommonspeciesoffiveCeuthophilusinMissouricaves.
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Rove or Staphylinid Beetle
Ground Beetle
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Roveorstaphylinidbeetlesarecommoninhabitantsofdung,carrionandorganicdetritus.FiftyspeciesareknownfromMissouricavesandmostaretroglophiles.Aleochara,Atheta,PhilonthusandQuediusarecommongenera.PhotoofSepidophilus littorinus,about10mm.
Groundbeetle,about20mm,TP:Carabid(ground)beetlesarepredators.TwospeciesofXenotrechusaretroglobitesfromfourcavesineasternMissouri(JeffersonandSte.Genevievecounties).AnewspeciesofPseudanophthalmushasbeenfoundinShannonCounty.
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Cave Webworn
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Macrocera nobilisJohnsonTP:The10-20mmlarvaofafungusgnatspinswebsforcatchingandeatingprey,suchasthismillipede.FamilyMycetophilidae.Atleast19familiesofDiptera(flies)areknownfromMissouricaves.
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PtomaphagusPtomaphagusbeetlesarecommoninAmericancaves.This7mmPtomaphagusnevadicusfromCaliforniaissimilartothetroglophilePtomaphagus cavernicola,whichoccursincavesintheOzarks,Iowa,Florida,Alabama,TexasandMexico.Leiodidbeetlesusuallyarefoundinguano,fungi,wood,undercarrionandscats.
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Herald Moth
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Scoliopteryx libatrix(Linnaeus),TX:theHeraldMothorScallopedOwletMothover-wintersincavesineasternandcentralMissouri.FamilyNoctuidae.Lengthabout20mm.
Amoebalaria defessaAmoebalaria defessa(OstenSacken),TX:Thiscavefly,FamilyHeleomyzidae,about5mmlong,usuallyisfoundontheceiling.Itisaweakflier,butissometimesattractedtoaheadlamp.
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SeetheBiospeleologyWebsiteforalongerglossary:http://www.utexas.edu/tmm/sponsored_sites/biospeleology
Antenna (plural antennae):Afeeler;anappendage,sensoryinfunction, inpairsontheheadsofcrustaceans,insectsandcertainotheranimals.Appendage:Anarmorotherlimbthatbranchesfromananimal'sbody.Aquatic:Livinginwater.Aquaticcaveanimalsincludeamphipods, isopods,crayfish,planarians,fishandblindsalamanders.Marinerefers tosaltwater.Arthropods:Animalswithjointedlegsandhardexoskeletons.Includes insects,crustaceans,spiders,millipedes,etc.Biospeleology:Thescientificstudyofcavelife,orthebiologyofcaves, karstandgroundwater.Abiologistwhospecializesinthisstudyis calledabiospeleologist.Carnivore:Ananimalthatlivesbyeatingthefleshofotheranimals.Or,a memberoftheOrderCarnivora,suchasdogs,cats,raccoons,bears, etc.SeealsoDetritivore,Herbivore,Insectivore,Omnivore.Community:Alltheplantsandanimalsthatliveinaparticularhabitat andareboundtogetherbyfoodchainsandotherrelationships.Constant-temperature zone:Theareaofacavewhereairtemperatureis relativelyunchangingthroughouttheyearandapproximatesthe averageannualtemperatureaboveground.Crustaceans:Thelargeclassorsubphylumofanimalsthatincludes lobsters,crayfish,amphipods,isopodsandmanysimilarforms. Crustaceansusuallyliveinwaterandhavemanyjointed,biramous appendages,segmentedbodiesandhardexoskeletons.Decomposers:Livingthings,chieflybacteriaandfungi,thatliveby extractingenergyfromthedecayingtissuesofdeadplantsandanimals.Detritivore:Ananimalthatfeedsonorganicdetritus,suchasdung, carrion,bacteria,fungi.Ecology:Thescientificstudyoftherelationshipsoflivingthingstoone anotherandtotheirenvironment.Ascientistwhostudiesthese relationshipsisanecologist.Edaphobite:Asoil-dwellinganimal.Somearefoundincaves.Epigean:Anadjectiveusedtodescribethesurfaceenvironment(epigeum), asopposedtothesubterranean(hypogean)environment.
Glossary of Biospeleology35
Evolution:Theprocessofnaturalconsecutivemodificationinthe inheritedmakeupoflivingthings,andbywhichmodernplantsand animalshavearisenfromformsthatlivedinthepast.Exoskeleton:Anexternalskeleton.Thehardbodycoveringorshellof mostinvertebrateanimals,includinginsects,crayfishandmillipedes.Fossil:Anyremainsortracesoflifefromtheprehistoricpast,whether bone,cast,track,imprint,pollenoranyotherevidenceoftheir existence.Guano:Excrement,asofbats,cricketsorseabirds.Incertainbatcaves andonislandscolonizedbyseabirds,guanosometimesaccumulatesin suchvastquantitiesthatitisminedcommerciallyforfertilizer.Guanophile:Associatedwithguano,suchasstaphylinidbeetles, springtailsandsomepseudoscorpions.Habitat:Theimmediatesurroundings(livingplace)ofaplantoranimal; everythingnecessarytolifeinaparticularlocationexcepttheorganism itself.SeeMicrohabitat.Herbivore:Ananimalthateatsplants,thusmakingtheenergystoredin plantsavailabletocarnivores.SeealsoCarnivore;Detritivore; Insectivore;Omnivore.Hibernaculum (plural hibernacula):Theplacewhereananimal hibernates.Hypogean:Anadjectiveusedtodescribethesubterraneanenvironment (hypogeum),asopposedtothesurface(epigean)environment.Insectivore:Ananimalthatfeedsoninsects.AlmostallspeciesofNorth Americanbats(OrderChiroptera)areinsectivores.Or,theOrder Insectivora(shrews).SeealsoCarnivore;Herbivore;Omnivore.Invertebrate:Ananimal,suchasaplanarian,snailorcrayfish,withouta backbone.SeealsoVertebrate.Karst:Asolutionallandscapemarkedbycaves,sinkholes,losingstreams, springs,naturalbridgesandotherfeatures.Usuallyinlimestone, dolomiteorgypsum.Larva (plural larvae):Animmaturestageinananimal'slifehistorywhen itsformusuallydiffersfromtheadultform,suchasthetadpolestage inthelifehistoryofafrog.SeealsoMetamorphosis.Lateral line system:Aseriesofsensoryorgans,usuallyappearinginaline orseriesoflinesonthesidesandheadsoffishesandlarval amphibians.Usedtosensevibrationsinthewater.Metamorphosis:Achangeintheformofalivingthingasitmatures, especiallythetransformationfromalarvatoanadult.
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Microclimate:“Littleclimate.”Theenvironmentalconditions,suchas temperature,humidityandairmovement,inaveryrestrictedarea.Microhabitat:Aminiaturehabitatwithinalargerone;arestrictedarea whereenvironmentalconditionsdifferfromthoseinthesurrounding area.Omnivore:Ananimalthathabituallyeatsbothplantsandanimals.See alsoCarnivore;Detritivore;Herbivore;Insectivore.Parietal fauna:Pertainingtotheinhabitantsonthewallsoftheentrance andtwilightzonesofacave.Phreatobite:Aninhabitantofgroundwater,oftenexhibiting troglomorphy,butnotlimitedtokarstsystems.Manyexamplesof amphipodsandothercrustaceansabound.Predator:Ananimalthatlivesbycapturingotheranimalsforfood.Prey:Alivinganimalthatiscapturedforfoodbyanotheranimal.Scats:Animaldroppingsordung,animportantsourceoffoodincaves.Scavenger:Ananimalthateatsthedeadremainsandwastesofother animalsandplants.Setae:Hairsonvarioustypesofarthropods.Species (singular or plural):Agroupofplantsoranimalswhosemembers breednaturallyonlywitheachotherandresembleeachothermore closelythantheyresemblemembersofanysimilargroup.Stygobite:Anaquatictroglobite.From“Styx,”asubterraneanriveronthe waytoHadesinGreekmythology.Stygophile:Anaquatictroglophile.Stygoxene:Anaquatictrogloxene.Terrestrial:Livingonland.Nottobeconfusedwith“epigean.”Terrestrial caveanimalsincludebeetles,millipedes,spiders,batsandcrickets.See alsoAquatic.Troglobite or troglobiont:“Cavedweller.”Ananimalthatlivesincaves andnowhereelse.Troglodyte:Acaveman.Sometimesusedincorrectlyforacaveanimal.Troglomorphy:Thephysicalcharacteristicsofatroglobiteorstygobite; e.g.,reducedeyesandpigment,elongatedappendages,well-developed tactileandolfactoryorgans,etc.Troglophile:“Cavelover.”Ananimalthatcancompleteitslifecyclein cavesbutmayalsodosoinsuitablehabitatsoutsidecaves.Trogloxene:“Cavevisitor.”Ananimalthathabituallyenterscavesbut mustreturnperiodicallytothesurfaceforsomeofitsliving requirements,usuallyfood.
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SCI 144Copyright 2003 by the
Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri.
Revised 1/07www.missouriconservation.org
Ozark Big-eared BatsCorynorhinus townsendii ingensHandley,TX:Wingspan30-32cm,forearm39-48mm,ears33-38mm,weight8-14g.Besidesthehugeears,thenosehaslumpsoneitherside,andthefurisbrownwithtanbelly.ThisendangeredsubspecieshasnotbeenconfirmedinMissourisince1971,butstilllivesinArkansasandOklahoma.Asimilarspecies,Rafinesque’sbig-earedbat,isgraywithawhitishbellyandrarelyisfoundincaves.Inhibernationtheearsareoftenrolleduplikerams’hornstoconserveheat.PhotofromacaveinDevil’sDenStatePark,Arkansas.
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Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Missouri Department of Conservation is available to all individuals without regard to their race, color, nationality, sex, age or disability. Questions should be directed to the Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, (573) 751-4115 (voice) or 1-800-735-2966 (TTY), or to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Federal Assistance, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop: MBSP-4020, Arlington, VA 22203.