Cybaeidae - Neocryphoeca sp. #1 - undescribed species
Family Cybaeidae
Neocryphoeca sp. #1 Size: 2.68 mm (male) Group Guild Status Troglobiont Predator Rare This species is known from a single adult male that was sampled in the Pirate’s Den by Steve Willsey on March 3, 2008. The species is totally blind and de-pigmented, and has attenuated limbs and tactile hairs. The species is fully troglobiotic, is likely endemic to Kartchner Caverns, and is apparently very rare in the cave. Three trips to the Pirate’s Den area were conducted during the recent study on September 11, 2010, January 15, 2011, and July 30, 2011. No predatory macro-invertebrates of any kind were found during the recent study in back portions of the cave, including the Pirate’s Den area. The food webs in the Back Section are composed of only a few species with small populations, and apparently reflect a general lack of nutrients in this part of the cave. Macro-invertebrates making a living in this part of the cave are definitely minimalist species tolerant of low energy environments. |
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