by Samantha Rogers
Description, Ecology, and Population
Deep in the caves of the Koloa
Basin on the Hawaiian island of Kauai lives a
small population of Kauai cave wolf spiders (Adelocosa anops). This
type of wolf spider only grows to be about 1.5
inches in diameter and is covered in pale hairs. Over the years, it has adapted for life in the
darkness of the caves so it holds the title of being the only wolf spider with no eyes. This has
earned it the nickname, No Eyed, Big Eyed Wolf Spider. Instead, they uses other senses, such as
smell and hearing, to hunt their prey (FWS). The Kauai cave wolf spider
also has a relatively low rate of
reproduction (when compared to counterparts who live outside of caves) at only 15-30 eggs per
reproductive period, once the eggs hatch, the mother cares for the young (Pacific Islands).
fws.gov
The spiders' habitat in the Koloa Basin is comprised of a
series of caves within 4 square miles of
each other in a single lava flow cave network. Of
all the caves in that network, the cave wolf spider has been seen in 6 caves, but
only appears
regularly in
one (Terrestrial
Invertebrates). These caves are considered to be the spiders' critical
habitat. They have high humidity and a
fairly stagnant temperature and air flow as
well as the presence of living plant roots at no
more than 600 feet above sea level. Given its
small geographic range and specific habitat needs, the population is considered to be very vulnerable to any
change in habitat. Unfortunately, the spider inhabits caves that are very difficult to
access and study (due to lava passages and caverns), so there is a lack of
information regarding precise statistics. However, there are only a few caves
that have similar conditions to the one that the spider has already been found
in which has lead conservationists to believe that it has an extremely small
population (Recovery
Plan). The known population of Kauai cave wolf spiders is
believed to be around 30 or fewer individuals (ECOS).
legacy.earlham.edu
Threats
Aside from the restrictions mentioned above, Kauai cave wolf spiders are also facing threats such as habitat degradation and destruction due to land development, construction, pesticide runoff from agriculture and households, and a nearby quarrying operation. The spiders also have to compete for limited cave food resources with both native and exotic species. Another problem that the cave spider is up against is drought caused by climate change. A drought can change the habitat humidity and bring other species into the spider's geographic range, both of which have the potential to lower the cave spiders' already small numbers (Recovery Plan). Owing to all of these factors, the Kauai cave wolf spider was listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Environmental Conservation Online System on January 14, 2006 and is currently endangered wherever found (ECOS).
Aside from the restrictions mentioned above, Kauai cave wolf spiders are also facing threats such as habitat degradation and destruction due to land development, construction, pesticide runoff from agriculture and households, and a nearby quarrying operation. The spiders also have to compete for limited cave food resources with both native and exotic species. Another problem that the cave spider is up against is drought caused by climate change. A drought can change the habitat humidity and bring other species into the spider's geographic range, both of which have the potential to lower the cave spiders' already small numbers (Recovery Plan). Owing to all of these factors, the Kauai cave wolf spider was listed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Environmental Conservation Online System on January 14, 2006 and is currently endangered wherever found (ECOS).
hbs.bishopmuseum.org
Recovery Plan
In order to combat these destructive and degrading factors, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has put together a recovery plan to help restore and maintain populations of the Kauai cave wolf spider. The goal of the recovery plan is to get the spider removed from the ESA list by establishing at least 12 populations and maintaining those for 10 years. To achieve this goal, a 6 step plan will be put in place. First, the single known population and its habitat must be protected from destruction and/or degradation as caused by humans. Second, conservationists must use landscaping techniques to increase food resources in the pre-existing habitats. Third, research must be done to find different ways to conserve the species and monitor population trends and movements. This includes finding more suitable caves and searching for more populations of the spider, as well as researching the causes of the high humidity in the caves and how much change in humidity the spider can take. Fourth, researchers and conservationists must educate people and gain their support. This also means working with the private owners of the land which contains the spiders' critical habitat to make sure that land is set aside and conserved. Fifth, the ultimate objective of removing the spider from the listing will be achieved, and sixth, a program will be implemented to monitor the spider populations after being delisted to ensure their survival and avoid relisting (Recovery Plan).
In order to combat these destructive and degrading factors, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has put together a recovery plan to help restore and maintain populations of the Kauai cave wolf spider. The goal of the recovery plan is to get the spider removed from the ESA list by establishing at least 12 populations and maintaining those for 10 years. To achieve this goal, a 6 step plan will be put in place. First, the single known population and its habitat must be protected from destruction and/or degradation as caused by humans. Second, conservationists must use landscaping techniques to increase food resources in the pre-existing habitats. Third, research must be done to find different ways to conserve the species and monitor population trends and movements. This includes finding more suitable caves and searching for more populations of the spider, as well as researching the causes of the high humidity in the caves and how much change in humidity the spider can take. Fourth, researchers and conservationists must educate people and gain their support. This also means working with the private owners of the land which contains the spiders' critical habitat to make sure that land is set aside and conserved. Fifth, the ultimate objective of removing the spider from the listing will be achieved, and sixth, a program will be implemented to monitor the spider populations after being delisted to ensure their survival and avoid relisting (Recovery Plan).
southeasternoutdoors.com
Other Resources and How You Can Help
If you are a residents of the Koloa Basin or plan on visiting there, you can do your part as well by being very careful when going into caves, not vandalizing or littering, and taking notice of where you step (Recovery Plan). If you don't live in that area and don't see yourself there in the future, don't worry, you can still help out! Make a donation to the ICUN Redlist or the USFish and Wildlife Service to contribute to the protection of the Kauai Cave Wolf Spider and its habitat. For more information on the spider, make sure to check out the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, the Department of Landand Natural Resources, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Fact Sheet.
If you are a residents of the Koloa Basin or plan on visiting there, you can do your part as well by being very careful when going into caves, not vandalizing or littering, and taking notice of where you step (Recovery Plan). If you don't live in that area and don't see yourself there in the future, don't worry, you can still help out! Make a donation to the ICUN Redlist or the USFish and Wildlife Service to contribute to the protection of the Kauai Cave Wolf Spider and its habitat. For more information on the spider, make sure to check out the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, the Department of Landand Natural Resources, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Fact Sheet.
Works Cited
Group,
Pacific Region Web Development. "Kaua'i Cave Arthropods - Pacific Islands
Fish and Wildlife Office." Kaua'i Cave Arthropods - Pacific
Islands Fish and Wildlife Office. Us Fish and Wildlife Service, 20 Sept. 2012. Web. 15 Nov.
2016. <https://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/fauna/kauaicaveanimals.html>.
"Kaua‘i
Cave Wolf Spider and Kaua‘i Cave Amphipod." US Fish and Wildlife Service,
Aug. 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2016. <https://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/Publications/Kauai%20Cave%20species%20fact%20sheet.pdf>.
Service,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife. "Species Profile for Kauai Cave Wolf or Pe'e Pe'e
Maka 'ole Spider (Adelocosa Anops)." Species Profile for Kauai
Cave Wolf or Pe'e Pe'e Maka 'ole Spider (Adelocosa Anops). US Fish and Wildlife Service,
n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2016. <http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?sId=7122>.
"Terrestrial
Invertebrates." Kaua‘i Cave Arthropods (n.d.): n. pag. Department
of Land and Natural Resources. Hawai'i's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 1
Oct. 2005. Web. 15 Nov. 2016. <http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/files/2013/09/Fact-Sheet-Kauai-Cave-arthropods.pdf>.
U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. 2006. Recovery Plan for the Kauai Cave Arthropods: the Kauai
Cave Wolf Spider (Adelocosa anops) and
the Kauai Cave Amphipod (Spelaeorchestia
koloana). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Portland, Oregon. 64 pp.
Honestly, I really enjoyed reading this and think it's great you picked a 'less-common' species to write about (i.e. not a mammal)! I can tell you put a lot of work into writing this and think it's really informative and thorough. My favorite part is your intro paragraph, but overall great job! Oh, and by the way, formatting skills on point!
ReplyDelete-Annie O'Brien