Palaemon cummingi

Last updated

Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp
Status iucn3.1 CR.svg
Critically endangered, possibly extinct  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Caridea
Family: Palaemonidae
Genus: Palaemon
Species:
P. cummingi
Binomial name
Palaemon cummingi
(Chace, 1954)
Distribution map of Palaemonetes cummingi.png
Synonyms
  • Palaemonetes cummingiChace, 1954

Palaemon cummingi, known as the Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp or the Florida cave shrimp, is a threatened species of cave-dwelling shrimp in the family Palaemonidae. [4] [2] P. cummingi has been observed in one sinkhole called Squirrel Chimney in Alachua County, Florida near Gainesville. [5] Although exact numbers are unknown, it is speculated that the current P. cummingi population is very small. [5]

Contents

Description

P. cummingi is typically around 30 mm (or 1.3 inches) in length. P. cummingi is blind and its eyes are unpigmented. [6] P. cummingi has a long, serrated rostrum, which is the extension of the shell that projects forward in front of the eyes. [6] The rostrum has six teeth on its dorsal surface. [6] The first and second pairs of legs are almost equal in length. [6] P. cummingi is nearly completely colorless but has some white coloring. [6] The internal organs of the shrimp can be seen through the translucent exoskeleton. [7]

Life history

Information on the life history and reproductive cycle of P. cummingi is very limited. A female P. cummingi specimen bearing eggs was collected from Squirrel Chimney Cave in Alachua County, Florida. [8] She was carrying approximately 30–35 embryos. [8] Upon hatching from their bright green eggs, larvae were approximately 4.8 mm in length. [8] Larvae are a dull yellow color. [8] The larval development of P. cummingi involves three stages of zoea and is thought to be very similar to the larval development of glass shrimp (Palaemon paludosus). [8] Larvae transitioned by metamorphosis into a post-larval state nine days after hatching. [8]

Distribution & ecology

Diet

P. cummingi rely on a diet of nitrogen-rich bat droppings and decaying organic matter. [9]

Behavior

No information is currently available on the behavior of P. cummingi. The redeye chub, a predator of P. cummingi, has been spotted in the cave system connected to Squirrel Chimney. [5]

Habitat

Researchers have only sighted P. cummingi at Squirrel Chimney Cave in Gainesville, Florida. [10] Within the cave are “chimneys,” or vertical holes that are 3–6 feet wide and reach as deep as 50 feet. [5] [10] P. cummingi find shelter in the water present at the bottom of these chimneys. [10] These chimneys lead to a larger underwater cave system formed from Ocala Limestone and connected to the Crystal River Formation. [5] This connection leads to caves with similar ecosystems, but P. cummingi have only been sighted in Squirrel Chimney. [5] The cave environment and absence of sunlight is responsible for the shrimp’s lack of color and eyesight. [9]

Range

P. cummingi may have descended from a species found in southern Texas. [11] However, P. cummingi is only found in northern Florida in the United States. [10] The Squirrel Chimney Cave is the only location with recorded sightings of P. cummingi. [10] This means that P. cummungi have very low redundancy, or that any major catastrophe could cause extinction. [5] P. cummingi may be present across Alachua, Columbia, and Gilchrist Counties. [2] Researchers have surveyed Cherry Pits Cave, Herzog Cave, Hog Sink and Bat Cave but found no evidence of P. cummingi at these sites. [5]

Conservation

In August 1990, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed P. cummingi as a threatened species, under the Endangered Species Act. [2] [5] As of 2001, P. cummingi was the only endemic stygobiont of Florida that is listed under the ESA. [12] : 85  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also currently recognizes P. cummingi as threatened. [13] P. cummingi was most recently assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2012, and is currently listed as critically endangered. [5] No federal recovery plan for this species was warranted in 2008 because P. cummingi is only found in a single, privately-owned location, therefore a recovery plan would not further its conservation. [5]

Population size

Between the discovery of P. cummingi in 1953 and latest observation in 1973, there have been no more than a dozen collections. [14] [ verification needed ] Because information on past populations of P. cummingi was never recorded, current numbers are speculated to be small but overall unknown. [5]

Changes in geographical distribution

Geographical distribution of P. cummingi is thought to be limited to a sinkhole in Alachua County, Florida. [5] There have been no known changes to the geographical distribution of P. cummingi, but there are several caves and sinks within a 5-mile radius of Squirrel Chimney that have similar ecological features. [5] There are known passageways between the caves that could provide shelter and travel corridors for the dispersal of P. cummingi. [5]

U.S Fish and Wildlife Service analysis of species threats

The largest threats to Florida’s karst systems and cave shrimp include human activity, habitat loss, ground-water contamination, aquifer withdrawals, saltwater intrusion, and competition/predation by non-native species. [12] The status of P. cummingi as an endemic species poses the largest threat. [5] P. cummingi is currently limited to a single sinkhole, meaning a drastic change to the sinkhole’s ecosystem could increase vulnerability to extinction. [5]

Every 5 years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service releases a review which includes a 5-Factor Analysis of threats to the species. The most recent review was released in 2021.

Present or threatened destruction of habitat or range

P. cummingi's ESA listing rule noted that potential residential development and changes in land use were primary threats. [5] The shrimp is known from only one small sinkhole that leads to a flooded cave system, meaning any changes to the sinkhole or the underlying aquifer have the potential to adversely affect or cause extinction to the species. [5] Aquifers such as the one connected to Squirrel Chimney are particularly vulnerable to surface pollution. [15]

Overutilization

P. cummingi’s listing rule states that this species is known from one site that could be seriously damaged by acts of vandalism. [5] Even though the population size of the shrimp is unknown, it is likely very small and vulnerable to impacts from scientific or other collecting. [5]

Disease or predation

There is one particular invasive species thought to have come to Squirrel Chimney via cave passageways: the redeye chub (Notropis harperi), which feeds on cave shrimp and is a direct threat to the survival of P. cummingi. [10]

Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms

The ESA listing rule noted that no existing regulatory mechanisms apply to P. cummingi. [5] There is no information on the sensitivity of P. cummingi to common pollutants, so federal water quality laws may or may not be protective.

Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence

Natural droughts, as well as water withdrawals for human use, can impact cave water levels. [5] Predicted increases in drought frequency, intensity, and duration could pose a threat to P. cummingi. [5]

Species Status Assessment

The current status of P. cummingi remains unknown as of 2021. [5] The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that P. cummingi remains classified as threatened until another survey can be conducted. [5] The most recent status surveys were conducted between 1994 and 1996, [10] which found no individuals in the Squirrel Chimney Cave or four other sampling locations, and the water level in Squirrel Chimney Cave was observed to be 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) less than measurements made in the 1940s. [16] [ verification needed ] [17] : 67619 

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mole Creek Karst National Park</span> Protected area in Tasmania, Australia

Mole Creek Karst is a national park situated in the North of Tasmania, Australia, 168 km northwest of Hobart. It is located on the slopes of the Great Western Tiers to the east of the town of Mole Creek. It is the only national park in Tasmania created specifically to protect karst landforms. It is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kentucky cave shrimp</span> Species of crustacean

The Kentucky cave shrimp is an eyeless, troglobite shrimp. It lives in caves in Barren County, Edmonson County, Hart County and Warren County, Kentucky. The shrimp's shell has no pigment; the species is nearly transparent and closely resembles its nearest relative, the Alabama cave shrimp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leon Sinks Geological Area</span>

The Leon Sinks Geological Area is located on the Woodville Karst Plain in southern and southwestern Leon County, Florida, United States. It is a mature karstic area on the Upper Floridan Aquifer. It is one of the most extensive underwater cave systems in the world and connects to Wakulla Springs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alabama cavefish</span> Species of fish

The Alabama cavefish is a critically endangered species of amblyopsid cavefish found only in underground pools in Key Cave, located in northwestern Alabama, United States in the Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge. It was discovered underneath a colony of gray bats in 1967 by researchers Robert A. Kuehne and John E. Cooper and scientifically described in 1974.

The Georgia blind salamander is a species of salamander in the family Plethodontidae. It is endemic to the south-eastern United States where its natural habitats are inland karsts, caves and subterranean habitats. It is listed as "Endangered" by the IUCN and is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexican blind brotula</span> Species of fish

The Mexican blind brotula is a species of viviparous brotula endemic to Mexico, where it is found in sinkholes and caves. It is known as sak kay in Mayan and dama blanca ciega in Spanish. This cavefish grows to a standard length of 9.7 cm (3.8 in). It is the only known member of its genus.

The blind swamp eel is a species of fish in the family Synbranchidae. It is endemic to Mexico where it lives in cave systems and is known in Spanish as the anguila ciega. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated this cavefish as "endangered".

<i>Antrolana</i> Genus of crustaceans

The Madison Cave isopod, Antrolana lira, is a freshwater, cave-dwelling crustacean species. It is in the family Cirolanidae and it is the only species of its genus Antrolana. This isopod can be found in flooded limestone caves and karst aquifers throughout the Great Appalachian Valley of Virginia and West Virginia. The Madison Cave isopod has been listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List since 1983 and as a threatened species under the United States Endangered Species Act since 1982. The species was named after the cave in which it was first discovered, Madison Saltpetre Cave. Very little is known about the life history and behavior of the Madison Cave isopod.

<i>Cambarus zophonastes</i> Species of crayfish

Cambarus zophonastes, also known as the Hell Creek Cave crayfish, is named for its original location of discovery, Hell Creek Cave. It is also found in other similar habitats in Stone County and Marion County, Arkansas. These habitats include springs and caves such as Nesbitt Spring Cave in Stone County. C. zophanastes is critically endangered according to the IUCN. C. zophanastes is also protected by the ESA as an endangered species. Currently conservation efforts focus on monitoring populations, reducing disturbances, and monitoring water quality. More research has to be conducted to better understand and conserve the species.

Palaemon antrorum, also known as the Balcones cave shrimp and the Texas cave shrimp, is a species of palaemonid shrimp endemic to Texas. It is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List, and as a Species of Concern by the United States Endangered Species Act.

<i>Stygobromus pecki</i> Species of crustacean

Stygobromus pecki, the Peck's cave amphipod, is a rare species of crustacean found in four cavern areas of southwestern Texas in the United States. It is a federally listed endangered species in the United States and is also listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Because of the species' limited geographical distribution, not much information on S. pecki is known. As of April 2022, there is no available 5-year review, Species Status Assessment, or recovery plan for the species. However, the Edwards' Aquifer Habitat Conservation Program (EAHCP), with the support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (UFWS), has been attempting to further study and promote conservation of S. pecki.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle</span> Species of beetle

The Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle is a small mold beetle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park</span> Protected area near Mount Gambier in South Australia

Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park, formerly the Piccaninnie Ponds National Park, is a protected area of 862 hectares located in southeastern South Australia near Mount Gambier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palaemon paludosus</span> Species of crustacean

Palaemon paludosus, coommonly known as ghost shrimp, glass shrimp, and eastern grass shrimp, is a species of freshwater shrimp from the southeastern United States.

<i>Rhadine persephone</i> Species of beetle

The Tooth Cave ground beetle, Rhadine persephone, is an endemic beetle that lives only in karst caves in Texas. They are arthropods of the family Carabidae. The United States government considers these beetles endangered because they are only found in a single cave system. If these caves are destroyed, this beetle will likely go extinct. The cave system is currently threatened by pollution, urban development, and invasion by fire ants.

<i>Rhadine infernalis</i>

Rhadine infernalis is a species of troglobitic beetle of the family Carabidae. They are endemic to the county of Bexar, Texas. Within this county, R. infernalis has been found in 39 caves. There are 2 named subspecies of R. infernalis: R. infernalis infernalis and R. infernalis ewersi. There is a third possible subspecies that has not been officially described. R. infernalis was classified in 2000 as endangered under the IUCN Endangered Species Act of 1973, along with 8 other karst invertebrates in the same region. It has the widest known range of the endangered karst invertebrates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Karst</span> Limestone karst landscape located in the northern part of Puerto Rico

The Northern Karst is a limestone karst landscape located in the northern part of Puerto Rico. A karst is a topographical zone formed by the dissolution of soluble porous rocks, such as limestone, with features such as mogotes, canyons, caves, sinkholes, streams and rivers, all of which are common on this region of the island. Some of the island's main rivers, including its longest, traverse the karst and form some of the most distinctive Puerto Rican geographical features such as the Camuy caverns. Many of these rivers feed into and are important in the formation of many marshy areas such as the Caño Tiburones wetlands.

<i>Tayshaneta microps</i> Species of spider

Tayshaneta microps, synonym Neoleptoneta microps, is a rare species of spider in the family Leptonetidae known by the common name Government Canyon bat cave spider. It is endemic to Texas in the United States, where it is known to be found in two caves in Bexar County. It is a troglobite, an animal which spends its entire life in caves. It is one of nine Bexar County troglobites which were listed as endangered species in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion</span> Species of pseudoscorpion

The Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion(Tartarocreagris texana) is a small cave-dwelling arachnid of the family Neobisiidae. The species was originally assigned to the genus Microcreagris, and then reassigned to Austalillocregris before arriving at its current genus, Tartarocreagris. The Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion has a small geographic distribution, known to occur in only two caves in Travis County, Texas. Additionally, it is tentatively identified in two nearby caves in Texas, but more research is necessary to accurately define the range where the species lives. There is little known about the biology, life cycle, and life history of the Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion due to a lack of research and study. Because of this, the Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion is listed on the IUCN Red List as data deficient. Under the Endangered Species Act, the Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion is listed as endangered. Recovery plans for the species focus mostly on preserving the karst ecosystem that the pseudoscorpions live in, especially including lessening human impacts on the environment.

An anchialine system is a landlocked body of water with a subterranean connection to the ocean. Depending on its formation, these systems can exist in one of two primary forms: pools or caves. The primary differentiating characteristics between pools and caves is the availability of light; cave systems are generally aphotic while pools are euphotic. The difference in light availability has a large influence on the biology of a given system. Anchialine systems are a feature of coastal aquifers which are density stratified, with water near the surface being fresh or brackish, and saline water intruding from the coast at depth. Depending on the site, it is sometimes possible to access the deeper saline water directly in the anchialine pool, or sometimes it may be accessible by cave diving.

References

  1. ↑ De Grave, S.; Rogers, C. (2013). "Palaemonetes cummingi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T15886A788917. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T15886A788917.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp (Palaemonetes cummingi)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  3. ↑ 55 FR 25588
  4. ↑ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Palaemon cummingi (Chace, 1954)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, Jacksonville Ecological Services Field Office. Squirrel Chimney cave shrimp (Palaemonetes cummingi) 5-year review: summary and evaluation. (2008).
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Chace, F.A. (1954). "Two new subterranean shrimps (Decapoda: Caridea) from Florida and the West Indies, with a revised key to the American species". Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences. 44: 318–324.
  7. ↑ Florida Natural Areas Inventory (January 2023). "Field Guide Account for Squirrel Chimney Cave Shrimp" (PDF). Florida Rare Species Field Guides. Florida Natural Areas Inventory. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dobkin, S. (1971). "The Larval Development of Palaemonetes cummingi Chace, 1954 (Decapoda Paemonidae) Reared in the Laboratory". Brill. 20 (3): 285–297. JSTOR   20101790.
  9. 1 2 Scott, Chris (2004-12-31). Endangered and Threatened Animals of Florida and Their Habitats. doi:10.7560/777743. ISBN   9780292760394.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Doonan, T.J. (2001). "Survey of Squirrel Chimney and other selected caves to determine the status of the Squirrel Chimney cave shrimp (Paleomonetes cummingi)". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
  11. ↑ Hobbs, H. H.; Daniel, M. A. (1977). "A Review of the Troglobitic Decapod Crustaceans of the Americas". Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology (244): 1–183. doi:10.5479/si.00810282.244. ISSN   0081-0282.
  12. 1 2 Walsh, Stephen A. (2001). Kuniansky, Eve L. (ed.). Freshwater Macrofauna of Florida Karst Habitats. U.S. Geological Survey Karst Interest Group: Proceedings, St Petersburg, Florida February 13-16, 2001 (Report). pp. 78–88. doi:10.3133/wri014011. hdl: 2027/mdp.39015053984764 .
  13. ↑ Florida Natural Areas Inventory. Squirrel Chimney Cave Shrimp: Palaemonetes cummingi. Field Guide to the Rare Animals of Florida (2001).
  14. ↑ Frank, J. H. (June 1995). "Florida Cave Shrimp". In Deyrup, M.; Franz, R. (eds.). Rare and Endangered Biota of Florida. Vol. 4. University Press of Florida. p. 108. ISBN   9780813013237.
  15. ↑ Streater, S (2009). "Threat down below: polluted caves endanger water supplies, wildlife". Scientific American. p. 301.
  16. ↑ Doonan, T.J. (2001). Survey of Squirrel Chimney and other selected caves to determine the status of Squirrel Chimney cave shrimp (Palaemonetes cummingi) (Report). Tallahassee, Florida. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
  17. ↑ 63 FR 67618
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.