Year End Report: Region 3 Endangered Species Research 'OH. An Assessment of ThreeCandidate and Two Additional Troglobitic Invertebrate Species for Possible Listing as Federally Endangered or Threatened Species

摘要

Five caves from three counties in southwestern Ohio were visited during 1994-1995and sampled for biological, chemical, and physical features. An assessment of the populations of three candidate and two additional troglobitic invertebrate species has resulted in two of the three candidate species (the aquatic isopod, Caecidotea filicispeluncae from Fern Cave, Adams County and the carabid beetle, Pseudanophthalmus ohioensis from Freeland's Cave, Adams County) being healthy and not in immediate threat of extirpation. The third species, aquatic isopod Caecidotea rotunda from Frost Cave, however was not located in spite of extensive and intense field work. Two other species, the pseudoscorpion Apochthonous hobbsi from Buckskin Cave I in Ross County and the troglobitic beetle Pseudanophthalmus krameri from Cave Hill Cave, Adams County, were assessed and the pseudoscorpion is maintaining a sizeable population whereas the beetle occurs in very low densities. Continued work during 1995-1996 will focus particularly on the Frost Cave species and will result in recommendations for management of the caves as well as provided assessments and recommendations concerning the status of each troglobitic species.