Natural Heritage Resources Fact Sheet Rare Crustacea in Caves, Rye Cove Isopod ()

Description that wash or filter in through cracks and In the cool dark of a cave stream, a tiny, crevices, and that die or are pale, half-inch creature clings to a rock. preyed upon in the cave. Organisms Nearly blind, it waits for particles of that dwell their entire lives in the inner organic matter and bacteria to flow part of caves are adapted to continuous within its reach. The Rye Cove isopod and utter darkness, combined with high is known only from the aquatic habitats humidity and constant temperature. of one cave system in the Rye Cove The disruption of interdependent karst area of Scott County, Va. It holds ecological relationships can cause its place in the subterranean stream and sensitive species to disappear or sweeps up its food with eight pairs of decline. legs. The number of its appendages Values defines it as a , more akin to The isopod plays an important role in crawfish than any insect. the ecosystem by removing bacteria and Rye Cove Isopod (Lirceus culveri) Distribution fine organic matter from the aquifer. It In western Virginia, linear belts of provides a food source for salamanders, The Rye Cove isopod is threatened limestone and dolomite underlie the fish and crawfish. Cave isopods also by contamination of the groundwater valleys and ridges between the Blue serve as natural indicators of water flowing into its habitat. In cave country, Ridge Mountains on the east and the quality in that they can survive in only or karstlands, surface water sinks Appalachian Mountains on the west. the cleanest karst systems. Karstlands quickly into underground channels with The bedrock has weathered and are often integral sources of domestic minimal natural filtration. Contaminated dissolved over hundreds of thousands groundwater supplies and stream runoff from land-clearing activities can of years to form a hollow landscape recharge, therefore the health of the introduce fertilizers, pesticides, known as karst. Virginia’s karstlands cave community is directly linked to herbicides and sediment into the cave contain thousands of caves inhabited by water quality. system that can travel downstream for unusual communities of plants and Karst areas are especially valuable thousands of feet, and even for miles. animals. Water moving through these for the unique diversity of plants and Threats to the water supply also exist caves to springs and rivers form animals that inhabit them. Caves and from chemical spills, septic systems, underground drainage systems, or karstlands comprise a complex, leaking fuel tanks, and debris and trash “groundwater basins,” which may or interwoven system of terrestrial and dumps. may not be easy to identify on the aquatic communities. Often certain surface. Some species, such as the Rye Conservation plant and species in these areas Cove isopod, are especially adapted The Rye Cove isopod is listed by the are endemic or completely limited to a and limited to isolated underground United States Fish and Wildlife Service specific karst area. environments and are found only in as a species of concern. In Virginia it is caves and cavities within a single Threats listed as a special concern species groundwater basin. Extinction is a natural process that has based on its rarity. Protection of isopod Habitat been occurring since long before the habitat is also protection for an Cave ecosystems evolved in relative existence of man. New species normally important human resource. Therefore, isolation to form a simple yet intricate develop at about the same rate other community leaders, state and federal system that involves relatively few species become extinct. Extinctions agencies, students, and landowners are organisms. Food is scarce in caves and now occur at a greater rate, however, teaming up to stop further pollution of is generally limited to organic nutrients because of environmental changes. caves and water supplies. The goal is to

For more information, contact Department of Conservation and Recreation 203 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 786-7951; http://www.state.va.us/~dcr/vaher.html 6/97 Natural Heritage Resources Fact Sheet Rare Crustacea in Virginia Caves, Rye Cove Isopod (Lirceus culveri) improve the habitats of cave creatures dry. Septic tanks should be inspected banks. Erosion control measures should and ensure safe drinking water for regularly by a licensed professional and be used and maintained at construction people through community outreach pumped every three to five years. Farm, sites. Sinkholes should not be filled and conservation programs. household and commercial wastes with trash, debris or soil. People in the Remember, in cave country, should be separated for recycling or Rye Cove community draw their whatever is put on land may eventually properly disposed of in a permitted drinking water from springs and wells enter drinking water aquifers, springs landfill. fed by karst groundwater - the same and rivers. Toxic chemicals have killed Siltation is another major problem groundwater that supports cave life. aquatic life in many surface streams. for aquatic life. Increased siltation may Talk to and work with your neighbors. Because the Rye Cove cave isopod is cause a decline in the available oxygen Frequently observe and be concerned only found within a very limited and food supply for aquatic organisms. with the quality of the water supply. groundwater basin, this species could A wide buffer strip of natural Report illegal dumping of waste and also be easily lost to pollution. vegetation along waterways and around unusual water color and odors to the Be careful with the use of pesticides sinkholes helps filter contaminants Department of Health or Department of and fertilizers, used motor oil and other from disturbed lands. Livestock and Environmental Quality. chemicals, especially near any sinkhole, associated wastes should be kept out of spring or creek, no matter how small or waterways and away from stream To learn more about Virginia’s rare plant and animal species and rich biological communities write to the following: Plant and Insect Species - Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Plant Protection, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, Virginia 23209; Animal Species - Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, P.O. Box 11104, Richmond, Virginia 23230; Plants, Animals or Biological Communities - Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street, Suite 312, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Visit the Virginia Natural Heritage Program on the World Wide Web at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/

For more information, contact Department of Conservation and Recreation 203 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 786-7951; http://www.state.va.us/~dcr/vaher.html 9/97