Post by L Roebuck on Jan 18, 2006 18:10:34 GMT -5
Sequoia-Kings Canyon caves harbor new bug species
By Mark Grossi / The Fresno Bee
(Updated Wednesday, January 18, 2006, 5:50 AM)
In the caves of Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks, researchers have found 27 species of spiders, centipedes and other creatures that are unknown in science.
Some have startling forms, such as the daddy longlegs with jaws bigger than the rest of its body. Others are completely white and eyeless, perfectly suited to the darkness inside caves.
"Many of these species don't occur anywhere else," said biologist Jean Krejca, a Texas-based consultant working with the National Park Service. "This is definitely a big deal."
Park officials said Tuesday that they are surprised and impressed by the results in the three-year field study of 30 caves in Sequoia-Kings Canyon and five caves in Yosemite National Park.
The adjoining Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks, known mainly for giant sequoias, have 238 caves. Among them is the state's longest cave, running 21 miles.
About a half dozen new cave species had been discovered in the parks over the past few decades, officials said. But park scientists have long suspected a wider variety of life exists in this underground world.
"We thought we might find at least another handful of new species," said Joel Despain, cave specialist for the parks. "It was amazing to get 27."
Despain said the park service might want to consider designating cave wildlife reserves.
Cave animals are important because they are sensitive to changes in the surrounding ecosystem, officials said. If they begin to decline, it may be a sign of changes, such as increasing global temperatures.
Krejca and colleagues at Zara Environmental of Buda, Texas, are assembling a report that will be reviewed by peers in the scientific community. The significance of the discoveries will not be lost on researchers, said one scientist from the University of California at Davis.
"Caves are like little laboratories of evolution," said entomologist Steve Heydon, collection manager for the Bohart Museum of Entomology. "What happens inside the isolation of a cave shows how bodies of animals can be transformed."
Heydon said the daddy longlegs probably developed big jaws so the creature would be able to more easily snag meals, which are scarce inside caves. But out in an open field, the same creature would have a hard time moving and surviving with jaws that big, he said.
In caves, such animals must depend on whatever enters from the outside world. Sometimes insect food can ride in on a bat or a bird. Sometimes it floats in with a stream.
The caves with the most life seem to be at foothill elevations, said park specialist Despain, though caves have been found as high as 10,000 feet in Sequoia-Kings Canyon.
"We have the right geology and hydrology for caves here," said Despain. "We have marble and plenty of water underground, carving out the caves."
Those who study cave creatures must be willing to enter dark, muddy places, sometimes for eight hours at a time. Krejca said she loves bugs and enjoys exploring caves, but her work does present challenges.
"Sometimes you have to force yourself through some little tiny crack in the cave," she said. "I don't like crawling on my belly through water. But I feel very lucky to be part of this project."
The reporter can be reached at mgrossi@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6316.
www.fresnobee.com/local/story/11701499p-12427560c.html
Also check the Topic "New Species Found in Caves" tinyurl.com/8275l
27 New Species of Animals in the US Caves
news.softpedia.com/news/27-New-Species-of-Animals-in-the-US-Caves-16560.shtml
By Mark Grossi / The Fresno Bee
(Updated Wednesday, January 18, 2006, 5:50 AM)
In the caves of Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks, researchers have found 27 species of spiders, centipedes and other creatures that are unknown in science.
Some have startling forms, such as the daddy longlegs with jaws bigger than the rest of its body. Others are completely white and eyeless, perfectly suited to the darkness inside caves.
"Many of these species don't occur anywhere else," said biologist Jean Krejca, a Texas-based consultant working with the National Park Service. "This is definitely a big deal."
Park officials said Tuesday that they are surprised and impressed by the results in the three-year field study of 30 caves in Sequoia-Kings Canyon and five caves in Yosemite National Park.
The adjoining Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks, known mainly for giant sequoias, have 238 caves. Among them is the state's longest cave, running 21 miles.
About a half dozen new cave species had been discovered in the parks over the past few decades, officials said. But park scientists have long suspected a wider variety of life exists in this underground world.
"We thought we might find at least another handful of new species," said Joel Despain, cave specialist for the parks. "It was amazing to get 27."
Despain said the park service might want to consider designating cave wildlife reserves.
Cave animals are important because they are sensitive to changes in the surrounding ecosystem, officials said. If they begin to decline, it may be a sign of changes, such as increasing global temperatures.
Krejca and colleagues at Zara Environmental of Buda, Texas, are assembling a report that will be reviewed by peers in the scientific community. The significance of the discoveries will not be lost on researchers, said one scientist from the University of California at Davis.
"Caves are like little laboratories of evolution," said entomologist Steve Heydon, collection manager for the Bohart Museum of Entomology. "What happens inside the isolation of a cave shows how bodies of animals can be transformed."
Heydon said the daddy longlegs probably developed big jaws so the creature would be able to more easily snag meals, which are scarce inside caves. But out in an open field, the same creature would have a hard time moving and surviving with jaws that big, he said.
In caves, such animals must depend on whatever enters from the outside world. Sometimes insect food can ride in on a bat or a bird. Sometimes it floats in with a stream.
The caves with the most life seem to be at foothill elevations, said park specialist Despain, though caves have been found as high as 10,000 feet in Sequoia-Kings Canyon.
"We have the right geology and hydrology for caves here," said Despain. "We have marble and plenty of water underground, carving out the caves."
Those who study cave creatures must be willing to enter dark, muddy places, sometimes for eight hours at a time. Krejca said she loves bugs and enjoys exploring caves, but her work does present challenges.
"Sometimes you have to force yourself through some little tiny crack in the cave," she said. "I don't like crawling on my belly through water. But I feel very lucky to be part of this project."
The reporter can be reached at mgrossi@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6316.
www.fresnobee.com/local/story/11701499p-12427560c.html
Also check the Topic "New Species Found in Caves" tinyurl.com/8275l
27 New Species of Animals in the US Caves
news.softpedia.com/news/27-New-Species-of-Animals-in-the-US-Caves-16560.shtml
