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Protected Species
Federal status: State status:
- LE=Listed as endangered E=Endangered
- LT=Listed as threatened T=Threatened
- PR=Proposed for endangered status
- PE=Petitioned for endangered status
Bexar Karst Invertebrate Species
The nine Bexar County karst invertebrates were federally listed as endangered species on December 26, 2000 (65 FR 81419). All species have a recovery priority of 2c, and critical habitat was designated on April 8, 2003 for all of the species, except the Government Canyon Bat Cave spider (Neoleptoneta microps) and meshweaver (Cicurina vespera). None of these species or their habitats receives direct protection under Texas state law, since invertebrates are not included on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) list of threatened and endangered species.
The northern portion of Bexar County is located on the Edwards Plateau, a broad and flat expanse of Cretaceous carbonate rock ranging in elevation from 355 to 580 meters. Based on geologic restrictions on the distribution of cave fauna and the locations of known caves, the USFWS delineated five karst zones that reflect the relative likelihood of finding any Bexar County listed karst invertebrates. Six geographic areas called Karst Fauna Regions (KFR) within the Bexar County Karst Zones. These divisions were defined by hydrogeologic barriers and/or other restrictions to the migration of troglobitic species over evolutionary time. The six KFRs are intended to be tools for species recovery planning.
Government Canyon Bat Cave Spider Neoleptoneta microps LE
The Government Canyon Bat Cave spider (Araneae: Leptonetidae) is a small, short-legged, essentially eyeless spider. It was first collected on August 11, 1965 by James Reddell and John Fish. The species was originally described by Willis Gertsch as Leptoneta microps and later reassigned to Neoleptoneta. The species was initially reported from two caves in Government Canyon State Natural Area: Government Canyon Bat Cave and Surprise Sink. The specimen collected from Surprise Sink, however, has not been confirmed as Neoleptoneta microps. Since this species is known from less than 5 localities, it is considered by USFWS to be in jeopardy with no take permitted.
Robber Baron Cave Meshweaver Cicurina baronia LE
The Robber Baron Cave meshweaver (Araneae: Dictynidae) is a small, eyeless spider known from two localities in the Alamo Heights Karst Fauna Region. It was first collected in Robber Baron Cave on February 28, 1969 by Roger Bartholomew and was described by Willis Gertsch. Since this species is known from less than 5 localities, it is considered by USFWS to be in jeopardy with no take permitted.
Braken Bat Cave Meshweaver Cicurina venii LE
The Braken Bat Cave meshweaver (Araneae: Dictynidae) is a small, eyeless, or essentially eyeless, troglobitic spider. The species description is based on one female collected on November 22, 1980 by George Veni and described by Willis Gertsch. Braken Bat Cave remains the only location known to contain this species. Since this species is known from less than 5 localities, it is considered by USFWS to be in jeopardy with no take permitted.
Government Canyon Bat Cave Meshweaver Cicurina vespera LE
The Government Canyon Bat Cave meshweaver (Araneae: Dictynidae) is a pale, eyeless, troglobitic spider. The female holotype was first collected on August 11, 1965 by James Reddell and John Fish, and described by Willis Gertsch. The species is currently known from only Government Canyon Bat Cave in Government Canyon State Natural Area. A second cave, called “unnamed cave five miles northeast of Helotes”, was once thought to also contain the species but was subsequently ruled out as a locality. The individual collected from this unnamed cave was determined to be a new species, Cicurina neovespera. Since this species is known from less than 5 localities, it is considered by USFWS to be in jeopardy with no take permitted.
Cokendolpher Cave Harvestman Texella cokendolpheri LE
The Cokendolpher cave harvestman (Opilionida: Phalangodidae) is a small, pale orange, essentially eyeless, troglobitic harvestman. Juvenile specimens are known to be white to yellowish-white in color. Texella cokendolpheri was first collected in 1982 and described by Ubick and Briggs. It is known from one locality (i.e., Robber Baron Cave) in Bexar County. Since this species is known from less than 5 localities, it is considered by USFWS to be in jeopardy with no take permitted.
Beetle (No Common Name) Rhadine exilis LE
The beetle Rhadine exilis (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is a slender-bodied, essentially eyeless, troglobitic ground beetle that is typically 7.4 mm in length. It was first collected in 1959 and described by Barr and Lawrence as Agonum exile and later assigned to the genus Rhadine. The species is currently known from 52 caves in Bexar.
Beetle (No Common Name) Rhadine infernalis LE
Rhadine infernalis (Coleoptera: Carabidae) is an essentially eyeless, troglobitic ground beetle. It is somewhat more robust in body shape that Rhadine exilis. It was first collected in 1959 and initially described by Barr and Lawrence as Agonum infernale, but later assigned to the genus Rhadine. There are two recognized subspecies: Rhadine infernalis ewersi and R. infernalis infernalis. A third possible subspecies, R. infernalis ssp. From the Culebra Anticline Karst Fauna Region was characterized as valid, but has not been formally described. All three subspecies are included under R. infernalis and are protected under the federal listing as endangered. Rhadine infernalis is known from 36 caves located in Bexar County.
Helotes Mold Beetle (Batrisodes) Excavodes venyivi LE
The Helotes mold beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) is a troglobitic, reddish-brown beetle 2.24 mm in length that resembles an ant. It was first collected in 1984 and described by Donald Chandler. The species is currently known from eight caves in Bexar County.
Travis/Williamson Karst Species
Bee Creek Cave harvestman Texella reddelli LE
This harvestman is found in caves near the Colorado River in Travis County, largely on the south side. It is not as troglomorphic as Texella reyesi, which was split off from it in a taxonomic revision.
Bone Cave Harvestman Texella reyesi LE
This eyeless cave harvestman is 1.4 to 2.7 mm in body length, with long legs. It is found in caves and karst features north of the Colorado River in Travis County, and up to northern Williamson County. Adults are yellowish in color, while juveniles are white. They are usually found on the underside of rocks, but can also be seen foraging in the open.
Coffin Cave Mold beetle Batrisodes texanus LE
The Coffin Cave Mold Beetle is a small, long-legged beetle with short wings. It lives in total darkness and has no eyes. Adult size about 2.8 millimeters.
The Coffin Cave mold beetle is the only listed karst invertebrate species found only in Williamson County.
Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle Texamaurops reddelli LE
This mold beetle is restricted to cave habitats in the Four Points area of western Travis County. It is quite rare and poorly studied.
Tooth Cave ground beetle Rhadine Persephone LE
This Rhadine species occurs in approximately 30 caves in the Jollyville Plateau area. It is more robust and less troglomorphic than R. subterranean, with which it co-occurs in some caves. Development continues to increase in the 620/183 area where this species occurs.
Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion Tartarocreagris texana LE
This troglobitic pseudoscorpion is limited to the Four Points area around the 620/2222 intersection. Like other troglobitic pseudoscorpions, it has a pale body and elongated appendages. It is typically found under rocks and is not common even at sites where it is known to exist. This species has a very limited range.
Tooth Cave spider Neoleptoneta myopica LE
This is a small, pale spider that resides in sheet webs hanging from the undersides of rocks or ledges. It belongs to a group of spiders that is currently undergoing taxonomic revision. It is anticipated that this work may assign this spider to a new genus, and may result in new localities being identified.