About this Collection

Sixteen species of karst invertebrates are listed as endangered in central Texas. The following documents and links are provided to help you understand the life history and federal listing status of these species.

NOTICE: If you need to reach the terrestrial karst invertebrate biologist, this position is vacant currently. For the interim, contact the Listing and Recovery Branch Supervisor, Michael Warriner.

This library collection includes information pertaining to the listed terrestrial karst invertebrates in central Texas.  The information is organized into four sections: Species, Maps and Data, Recovery, and Permitting.

  1. Species – includes links to our karst invertebrate taxonomy document and each individual species page.
  2. Maps and Data – includes links to studies on karst zones and karst fauna regions as well as information on designated critical habitat.
  3. Recovery – includes links to recovery plans as well as other documents detailing karst invertebrate habitat and recommendations for preserve design as well as management and monitoring.
  4. Permitting – includes links to Section 10(a)(1)(a) or scientific permit information.

     

Species

There are sixteen species of karst invertebrates listed as endangered in central Texas: six insects (three ground beetles and three mold beetles) and ten arachnids (three harvestmen, six spiders, and one pseudoscorpion).  These species are all generally pale with small or absent eyes and troglobitic, meaning that they are adapted to and only live underground.  A list of the scientific and common names of these species as well as links to more information about each species is provided below.  In addition, more information regarding each species' taxonomy, methods for specimen collection, and a list of taxonomists qualified to identify these species is provided in our Endangered Karst Invertebrate Taxonomy document.

Insects
Arachnids

Maps and Data

(This section is currently under construction)

Each of the listed species above live in caves and other small openings in karst limestone, which are landforms with subsurface features like sinkholes and caves that are produced by dissolution of bedrock.  Currently these species are only known from certain areas of Bexar, Travis, and Williamson counties.  Several studies have been conducted to define the areas of central Texas within which the listed species may be found including delineation of karst zones occupied or potentially occupied by the listed species.  In addition, we have designated critical habitat for the nine listed species of karst invertebrates that occur in Bexar County. 

  • Critical Habitat: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides final critical habitat designation information for threatened and endangered species across the United States using an online mapper and by providing data that can be downloaded for use in a Geographic Information System (GIS).   You can find both the mapper and the data on the Critical Habitat Report web page. For individual species data, scroll down the Critical Habitat Report page and enter the species into the search box.
  • San Antonio area karst zones and karst fauna regions
    • Veni, George. 1994. Geologic controls on cave development and the distribution of cave fauna in the San Antonio, Texas, region. Report prepared for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  This report examined the geologic context of the distribution of the nine listed Bexar County karst invertebrates and delineated five karst zones to facilitate assessment of the probability of the presence of rare or endangered species. (Link to pdf report)
    • Veni, George. 2003.  Delineation of hydrogeologic areas and zones for the management and recovery of endangered karst invertebrate species in Bexar County, Texas. Report prepared for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  This report re-evaluated and, where applicable, revised the boundaries of each karst zone originally delineated in Veni (1994).  (Link to zipped file containing pdf report and associated GIS shapefiles) - Coming Soon
    • Bexar County karst zone mapper - This mapping application is provided for those who do not have software capable of viewing GIS files.  It includes the most up-to-date version of the Bexar County karst zones as well as the Karst Fauna Regions and designated critical habitat for these species.  More information on Karst Fauna Regions is provided in the Bexar County Karst Invertebrate Recovery Plan in the Recovery section below.  Please read the disclaimer at the bottom of this section before using this application.  (Link to mapping application)
  • Austin area karst zones and karst fauna regions - Coming Soon

Disclaimer: Use of this data is for planning purposes only and is not a substitute for site specific geological or biological survey data. Although these data and information have been processed successfully on a computer system at the USFWS, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data and information on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data, and information, and aggregate use with other data and information. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data and information. The USFWS shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data and information described and/or contained herein. If you have any questions about how to interpret this data or appropriate uses, please contact our office at 512-937-7371.

Recovery

Within caves and mesocaverns, or humanly impassable voids, karst invertebrates depend on high humidity; stable temperatures; suitable substrates, such as spaces between and underneath rocks; and nutrients, such as leaf litter, animal droppings, and animal carcasses.  Although they live underground, these species are dependent on the quality and quantity of water and nutrients provided from habitats on the surface.  They are endangered due to habitat destruction, degradation and fragmentation mainly resulting from urban development. Their karst habitats and the ecosystems on which they depend, have evolved slowly over millions of years and cannot be recreated once they have been destroyed. We are working with private landowners and local, city, and county governments to identify, preserve, and manage these areas.

Recovery plans - To help identify and guide species recovery needs, section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, directs the Service to develop and implement recovery plans for listed species or populations.  Recovery plans are advisory documents developed to provide recovery recommendations aimed at resolving the threats to the species and ensuring self-sustaining populations in the wild.  There are two recovery plans that apply to the central Texas listed karst invertebrates.

Bexar County Karst Invertebrates Recovery Plan

Recovery Plan for Endangered Karst Invertebrates in Travis and Williamson Counties, Texas

Reference is made throughout the Bexar County Karst Invertebrates Recovery Plan for where more detailed information can be found. Information on karst invertebrate habitat and ecology, karst preserve design, karst preserve management, taxonomy, and distribution can be found in the documents below.  Information in these documents may be updated periodically, so please check this website for the most recent updates.

Permitting

USFWS Section 10(a)(1)(A) Scientific Permit Requirements for Conducting Presence/Absence Surveys for Endangered Karst Invertebrates in Central Texas - This document outlines the process for conducting presence/absence surveys for federally-listed endangered terrestrial karst invertebrates species in central Texas under a section 10(a)(1)(A) permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

Section10(a)(1)(A) permits, also referred to as recovery, enhancement of survival, or scientific permits, allow for 'take' of listed species that may or will occur while conducting research to further the recovery of a listed species. This document outlines methods to be used, information to be included in final reports, and minimum qualifications for personnel conducting presence/absence surveys for endangered karst invertebrates under a section 10(a)(1)(A) permit.

The objective of this document is to identify survey methods that will produce sound scientific information upon which to base decisions and actions for the conservation of these endangered species. Using consistent survey methodology will also allow for greater comparison and analysis of results, and thereby increase our understanding of these species and their habitat requirements. Information that relates to the effectiveness of these survey guidelines in conserving endangered karst species is welcome.

List of individuals or companies that have a valid permit to survey for endangered karst invertebrates

To apply for a scientific research and recovery permit to conduct presence/absence surveys or do research on endangered or threatened species, you will need to fill out Form 3-200-59. This form and instructions for filling it out can be found on our ePermits website.

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