Bee Creek Cave Harvestman (Texella reddelli)

Texas Status

Endangered

U.S. Status

Endangered, Listed 9/16/1988

Description

The Bee Creek Cave Harvestman is a small invertebrate about 1/8 inch (2 to 3 millimeters in length) with relatively long legs. It is light yellowish-brown in color and it has no eyes.

Life History

Tiny, hopping insects called collembolans form the Bee Creek Cave harvestman's diet. It is found under rocks in darkness or dim light. This species, like other small harvestmen, tend to walk rather slowly and deliberately, unlike spiders, which tend to move faster. It does not have distinct seasonal reproductive cycles, and its lifespan and population numbers are unknown.

Habitat

The Bee Creek Cave harvestman lives in underground caves in limestone rock.

Distribution

This rare insect is found in the Edwards Plateau, Travis County, Texas.

Other

The primary threat to the Bee Creek Cave harvestman and other endangered cave invertebrates is the loss of habitat due to urban development. Many caves have been paved over or filled in. Other caves have been altered so that they no longer provide the stable temperatures and high humidities needed to support these animals. Contamination by pollutants is also a threat to their survival.