Invertebrates (Inventory)
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Beetles
The Beetles field of the Invertebrates section and its subfields are used to record observations of any kind of beetle. Three specific genera of beetle are recorded in the subfields.
Two of three specific genera of beetles which have their own subfields (Eleodeus and Embaphion) are Darkling beetles and one is not (Rhadine). If a beetle can be identified as to one of these specific genera, it should be recorded in the corresponding field, if not, it should be recorded here.
Fields
Centipede
The Centipede field of the Invertebrates section should list stations where a centipede is found.
Centipedes have flat, multi-segmented bodies, with each segment having only one pair of legs. The total number of legs varies, but there are usually 20 or more. They are arthropods, not insects. Centipedes are predators and have 2 pincers just behind the head. Their bite is painful (like a bee sting), but not fatal. Some centipedes are known to prey on bats. They move very quickly and can be quite large and can climb well. The size can vary from small (an inch or less) to several inches in length and up to an inch in width. The color can vary from unpigmented to brown, dark brown or rust. Centipedes should not be confused with millipedes which have two pairs of legs per body segment.
See also
References
- Romero, Aldemaro (2009) Cave Biology; Life in Darkness Cambridge University Press, New York pp 106-107 ISBN-Hardback: 978-0-521-82846-8, ISBN-Paperback: 978-0-521-53553-3
Centipede, Invertebrates
 Centipede and harvestman on the ceiling |
 Centipede |
 Centipede |
Crickets
The Crickets field of the Invertebrates section and its subfields should be used to record any observation of a cricket. Three specific species of cricket are recorded in the subfields.
All three of the specific species of cricket which have their own subfield are camel crickets. If a cricket can be identified as to one of these three specific species, it should be recorded in the corresponding field. If the species cannot be identified or it is not one of these three specific species, it should be recorded here.
Fields
Diplurans
The Diplurans field of the Invertebrates section is used to record any observation of diplurans.
Diplurans are insects. They are small, pure white and can move quickly though sporadically. They are easy to identify when you see them. They have an elongated body with a pair of appendages on each end making it hard to tell whether they are coming or going. The body length is usually less than 5 mm.
References
- Rick D. Houston Jr. Canyons & Caves; Issue No. 2; Summer 1996. Hey, What Kind of Bugs Live Here?: http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/upload/c&c2.pdf
Diplurans, Invertebrates
 Dipluran, flagging tape for scale |
 Dipluran on black flowstone |
Harvestman
The Harvestman field of the Invertebrates section is used to record any observation of harvestmen.
Although superficially similar to spiders, harvestmen are a distinct order that is not closely related to spiders. Harvestmen are arachnids and can be easily distinguished from even long-legged spiders by a single body region and a single pair of eyes. Spiders have a separate abdomen and multiple pairs of eyes. Harvestmen usually have extremely long legs.
Harvestmen are colloquially known as "daddy longlegs" or "granddaddy longlegs". They can be found, usually near the twilight areas, in moist, dark locations, often under ledges, breakdown or on the ceiling. They may appear in groups, in large numbers and masses. They may react to light and vibration. Those near the entrance may not be troglodytic, leaving the cave at night to feed. Deeper in the cave, more cave adapted forms may be found that are blind. Cave adapted harvestmen are usually found in very wet locations, deep in the cave.
See also
References
- Romero, Aldemaro (2009) Cave Biology; Life in Darkness Cambridge University Press, New York pp 102-104 ISBN-Hardback: 978-0-521-82846-8, ISBN-Paperback: 978-0-521-53553-3
Harvestman, Invertebrates
 Harvestman (note the cricket, left) |
 A large group of Harvestmen |
Isopod
The Isopod field of the Invertebrates section should be used to record any observation of an isopod.
Isopods are an order of crustacean which includes familiar creatures such as woodlice and pill bugs. Isopods are small with seven pairs of legs. They are somewhat flat though there is variety in the order. Some isopods, those commonly known as pill bugs, have a tendency to roll into a ball when threatened. Color can vary from discolored to greys, browns and other earth tones. It is even possible for a single individual to exhibit more than one color on different body segments.
Isopods primarily feed on decaying matter and usually rely on food being brought into the cave environment by some means. Look for isopods on the floor especially among guano or leaf and wood accumulations especially if moist.
References
- Romero, Aldemaro (2009) Cave Biology; Life in Darkness Cambridge University Press, New York p 95 ISBN-Hardback: 978-0-521-82846-8, ISBN-Paperback: 978-0-521-53553-3
Millipede
The Millipede field of the Invertebrates section should list stations where a millipede is found.
Millipedes are classified as arthropods, not insects. Millipedes can be identified by their long, cylindrical, multi-segmented bodies, with each segment having two pairs of legs (except for the first few behind the head). The total number of legs varies, but there are often many more than 20. They move slowly and can vary in size, color and shape. Some will coil into a tight spiral when threatened. Millipedes should not be confused with centipedes which have only one pair of legs per body segment.
Millipedes primarily feed on decaying matter so they usually depend on food resources that are brought into the cave like guano and wood or leaf material.
See also
References
- Romero, Aldemaro (2009) Cave Biology; Life in Darkness Cambridge University Press, New York pp 107-108 ISBN-Hardback: 978-0-521-82846-8, ISBN-Paperback: 978-0-521-53553-3
Pseudoscorpion
The Pseudoscorpion field of the Invertebrates section is used to record any observation of pseudoscorpion.
Pseudoscorpions are small arachnids, tiny even, that superficially resembled scorpions. They are rarely seen because of their size.
Spiders
The Spiders field should be used to list stations where spiders (not harvestmen) are observed. Look closely, they can be extremely small.
Spiders can be found anywhere in a cave. They are often more numerous near the entrance especially at a narrowing where webs would be more productive. Those near the entrance may not be truely cave adapted species therefore they may be darker in color, larger and easier to see. The cave adapted species usually found away from the entrance may be blind, decolored and smaller. They may not form webs and may move slowly -- they may be hard to find and see; but, they are there.
See also
References
- Romero, Aldemaro (2009) Cave Biology; Life in Darkness Cambridge University Press, New York p 100 ISBN-Hardback: 978-0-521-82846-8, ISBN-Paperback: 978-0-521-53553-3
Spiders, Invertebrates
 Spider |
Springtails
The Springtails field of the Invertebrates section records stations where springtails are observed.
Springtails are common in caves and can be found throughout the Guadalupe Mountains. They can usually be found in small pools or on wet flowstone. They are very small so a detailed observation is required to see them. They can be found floating, suspended by the surface tension of the water in pools of any size.
References
- Richards, Jason M.. Canyons & Caves; Issue No. 9; Summer 1998; WEIRD CAVE CREATURES; COLLEMBOLLANS: http://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/upload/c&c9.pdf
Other Invertebrates
Invertebrates (Inventory)/Other Invertebrates
Microbial Colonies
The Microbial Colonies field should be used to record stations where microbial colonies or signs of microbial colonies are observed.
