U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2009-3024
Abstract
Caves in northern Arizona and western New Mexico are being researched and inventoried by scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperating agencies. Southwestern caves have been little studied, and scientists are now finding that these lightless and nutrient-poor natural systems are home to life forms found nowhere else on Earth. This research has identified unique communities of arthropods (insects, arachnids, and crustaceans) that include 3 new genera, or groups of species, and at least 15 new species—some only known to exist in a single cave. This exciting research is yielding information that will be used by resource managers to better understand and protect fragile and important Southwestern cave ecosystems. |
Posted April 16, 2009
For additional information contact: Colorado Plateau Research Station Southwest Biological Science Center This report is also available in print from:
USGS Information Services, Box 25286, Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); at least version 7 of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge. |
Wynne, J. Judson, and Drost, Charles, 2009, Southwest caves reveal new forms of life: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2009-3024, 2 p. [https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2009/3024/].
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://
pubsdata.usgs.gov
/pubs/fs/2009/3024/index.html
Page Contact Information: USGS Publications Team
Page Last Modified: Tuesday, 29-Nov-2016 17:32:26 EST (mfd)
