a guide to missouri's cave life - missouri department of conservation

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

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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.

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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.