Michael E. Slay

Adult Diptera from Ozark Caves

Abstract The Diptera fauna of Ozark caves is fairly typical of that found elsewhere in the United States east of the Great Plains. The sphaerocerid Spelobia tenebrarum is the only troglobitic dipteran found in Ozark caves. Probable troglophiles include the mycetophilid Macrocera nobilis, the psychodids Psychoda spp., and the phorid Megaselia cavernicola. The tipulids commonly found in Ozark caves, such as Dactylolabis montana, Dolichopeza spp. and Limonia spp. are probably all trogloxenes, as are the Trichoceridae and Heleomyzidae. The mycetophilids, Exechiopsis umbratica and Rymosia sp., and the culicids are among the most common cave dipterans in the study area. The culicids overwinter in caves and other protected places; they are properly classified as trogloxenes. The main sources of food for cave Diptera are other insects, carrion, guano, and allochthanous plant debris.

CAVERNICOLOUS MISSOURI TRICLAD (PLATYHELMINTHES: TURBELLARIA) RECORDS

Abstract Dendrocoelopsis americana is reported for the first time in Missouri. Sphalloplana evaginata is reported from central Missouri and extends the range of this species by 280 km.

New Records of Onthophagus cavernicollis Howden and Cartwright (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Ozark Caves, with a Review of Scarabaeoids Reported from North American Caves

ABSTRACT Recent collecting in caves in the Ozark region of the USA produced a number of new scarab beetle records (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea). We report our collections and review literature records of scarabs reported from caves in the USA and Canada. Most of these records are accidental occurrences, but a few represent widespread species with known associations to host vertebrates that may occupy a cave. Two species, Onthophagus cavernicollis Howden and Cartwright (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), and Stenotothorax gardneri (Gordon) (Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae), appear closely tied to woodrat, Neotoma floridana (Ord) (Rodentia: Cricetidae), nests. We consider the cave association of these two species, categorizing them as troglophiles. The distribution of O. cavernicollis is mainly in the Ozark region, but this pattern may be due to inadequate sampling in other locations. Stenotothorax gardneri is known only from caves in the Ozark region. All available collection records from recent work, museum specimens and literature accounts are presented for these species. Additional discussions are presented for O. cavernicollis because our materials contained the undescribed male and female minors and new insight into their habits.

CHAETASPIS ATTENUATUS, A NEW SPECIES OF CAVERNICOLOUS MILLIPED FROM ARKANSAS (DIPLOPODA: POLYDESMIDA: MACROSTERNODESMIDAE)

This description of Chaetaspis attenuatus, new species, from two caves in northern Arkansas brings the total species assigned to the genus to six. Chaetaspis attenuatus occurs approximately 100 kilometers to the southeast of its sister species C. aleyorum that occurs in southwestern Missouri.

STATUS UPDATE FOR BRISTLY CAVE CRAYFISH, CAMBARUS SETOSUS (DECAPODA: CAMBARIDAE), AND RANGE EXTENSION INTO ARKANSAS

Abstract This study updates the status, expands the range, and summarizes conservation activities to date for the bristly cave crayfish, Cambarus setosus. A new state record for this crayfish is reported after its discovery at 2 sites in 2 counties (Benton and Independence counties, Arkansas). This makes C. setosus the fifty-eighth crayfish species known from Arkansas. This is also the first record of C. setosus from the Salem Plateau of the Ozark Plateaus ecoregion; it was known previously only from the Springfield Plateau of Missouri. The range of C. setosus in Missouri includes the counties of Barry, Christian, Dade, Greene, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, and Stone; it is not presently known from Oklahoma, as previously reported. Cambarus setosus is probably a species complex with genetic variability at the subspecific level, especially in southwestern Missouri. Cambarus setosus is now known from 50 sites, but only 164 individuals (tallied from the most recent census at each site). This crayfish has been impacted by both habitat degradation and scientific study. Conservation organizations have begun preserving cave entrances, but conservation activity is lacking in subterranean stream recharge zones. Increased protection is recommended, including federal listing under the US Endangered Species Act.

Brackenridgia ashleyi (Isopoda: Trichoniscidae): Range extension with notes on ecology

We collected Brackenridgia ashleyi from ten caves in Arkansas and Missouri. From the type locality at Tumbling Creek Cave, Taney County, Missouri, we extended the range of the species 138 km north-northeast into Pulaski County, Missouri, 67 km south-southwest into Newton County, Arkansas, and 96 km southeast into Izard County, Arkansas. The new records reported here, in combination with detection of this species at previously inventoried sites, suggest that this species is widely distributed in the Ozarks. However, the relatively intensive sampling efforts required indicate the B. ashleyi is rare and easily overlooked.