Herpetological Diversity of Stemler Cave Nature Preserve, St. Clair County, Illinois

Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science received 1/9/16 (2016) Volume 109, pp. 19-23 accepted 2/19/16

Robert G. Weck Southwestern Illinois College, 2500 Carlyle Ave, Belleville IL 62221 [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Stemler Cave is a biologically diverse ecosystem located in southwestern St. Clair County, IL. The primary entrance to the cave and the surrounding wooded sinkhole is a dedicated Illinois nature preserve. Here I report the results of ten years of observations on the herpetological diversity of Stemler Cave Nature Preserve, which include 26 species of amphibians and reptiles. Seventeen species were recorded from the entrance or interior of the cave. The most diverse group were frogs and toads with 11 documented species. Two salamander species, four turtle species, one lizard species, and eight species of snakes were recorded in Stemler Cave Nature Preserve.

INTRODUCTION Figure 1. Topographic map showing Stemler Cave Nature Preserve (SCNP) is a the Stemler Karst Natural Area (black privately-owned, dedicated Illinois nature boundary), which is defined by the wa- preserve in southwestern St. Clair County. tershed boundary of Stemler Cave. The Located in the larger Stemler Karst Illinois location of Stemler Cave Nature Preserve Natural Areas Inventory site (Figure 1) of is indicated by the black square. Inset southwestern Illinois, the preserve consists aerial photo shows the preserve bound- of an approximately 0.35 ha steep-sided ary in black. The wooded area south of wooded sinkhole that includes the prima- SCNP is Stemler Cave Woods Nature ry entrance to Stemler Cave and a short Preserve. The lower left inset map of Il- section of the cave passage (Figure 2). The linois indicates the location of the region cave passage sumps immediately upstream with a star. Base map by ESRI. of the entrance but air-filled passage con- tinues downstream (north) for about 2 km before it again becomes impassable to hu- mans. Several biological surveys of Stem- ler Cave have been conducted, primarily focused on the invertebrate fauna (Peck and Lewis 1978; Webb et al. 1993; Lewis et al. 2003; Soto-Adames and Taylor 2010). Approximately 50 invertebrate species are known from the cave, including the state endangered Enigmatic Cavesnail (Fonti- gens antroecetes) and the federally endangered Illinois Cave Amphipod (Gammarus acherondytes). The herpetological record for Stemler Cave includes only two taxa of amphibians, Eurycea sp. and Rana (Litho- bates) sp. (Webb et al. 1993), and no records are known for the sinkhole portion of the preserve. The purpose of this study is to present a more complete list of amphibians and reptiles from both the surface and sub- Figure 2. Cross section of Stemler Cave Nature Preserve, facing west. Surveyed by Derik terranean portions of SCNP based on 10 Holtmann, Dan Lamping and Joe Sikorski, Illinois Speleological Survey. Drawn by Dan years of observations. Lamping. METHODS An informal visual survey of the amphib- jacent to the site, thus I had the potential were recorded on 41 different dates during ians and reptiles of SCNP was conducted to actively search for and opportunistically the study period. Observations on 20 dates between 10 April 2004 and 28 September observe organisms on an almost daily basis were made during the process of entering 2013. I am the owner of SCNP and live ad- for 10 years. Herpetological observations or leaving the property or on short excur- Herpetological Diversity of Stemler Cave Nature Preserve, St. Clair County, Illinois 20 Robert G. Weck sions while engaged in unrelated outdoor activities on site. Subterranean observations were made on 21 dates, mostly during Table 1. Amphibian and reptile species observed in Stemler Cave Nature Preserve, St. field work to study the Enigmatic Cavesnail Clair County, IL between 10 April 2004 and 28 September 2013. in Stemler Cave, and during survey work Species Cave Entrance Cave Interior Wooded Sinkhole Perimeter Area with the Illinois Speleological Survey to Blanchard’s Cricket Frog X X X American Toad X X X X map Stemler Cave. Specimens observed Fowler’s Toad X within an approximately 10 meter wide Gray Treefrog complex X X X area outside of the preserve (perimeter) and Plains Leopard Frog X X X X in-cave sections downstream of the sub- American Bullfrog X X X X terranean portions of the nature preserve Pickerel Frog X X X X Southern Leopard Frog X X X boundary were included. Common and Spring Peeper X X X X scientific names of amphibians and reptiles Western Chorus Frog X X follow Crother (2012). Voucher specimens Eastern Spadefoot X X X for select species are housed in the Illinois Long-tailed Salamander X X X Northern Slimy Salamander X X Natural History Survey (INHS) collection. Copperhead X X North American Racer X X RESULTS Milksnake X Twenty-six species of amphibians and rep- Common Watersnake X tiles were observed in SCNP. Table 1 lists Rough Greensnake X Western Ratsnake X X X each species by common name and indi- Dekay’s Brownsnake X cates whether it was observed within the Common Gartersnake X X X cave entrance, cave interior, wooded sink- Broad-headed Skink X X hole portion of the preserve or within the Painted Turtle X X Common Snapping Turtle X perimeter area. Seventeen species were Eastern Box Turtle X X recorded from the entrance or interior of Pond Slider X the cave. Five species were observed only in Total (26) 14 11 13 24 the perimeter area. The most diverse group were frogs and toads with 11 documented species. Two salamander species, four occasionally seen at the bottom of the cave are associated with caves in western Illi- turtle species, one lizard species and eight entrance. Males were heard calling within nois and throughout the Ozarks ecoregion species of snakes were recorded in SCNP. the wooded sinkhole in summer and were (Schaaf and Smith, 1970). The distribution Following is a brief account of each taxon tentatively identified as H. versicolor based of Pickerel Frogs in St. Clair County is like- observed. on calls. ly restricted to the karst areas. Frogs and Toads Plains Leopard Frog (Lithobates blairi) – Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates spheno- Plains Leopard Frogs were seen occasion- cephalus) – Southern Leopard Frogs have Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi) ally in the cave interior in late summer and been found both within the entrance and – Cricket Frogs were frequently encoun- more regularly on the surface in the Stem- interior of the cave, and on the perimeter of tered in the wooded sinkhole surround- ler Cave area. the preserve. Southern Leopard Frogs were ing Stemler Cave and rarely within the encountered less frequently than the Plains entrance. The species is common around American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbe- Leopard Frog in the Stemler Cave area. sinkhole ponds in the area. ianus) – Adults were commonly encountered within the cave, and on the surface. Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) – Spring American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) – Large tadpoles with hind legs were seen Peepers were recorded once within the cave American Toads are common in the area in the cave stream on 30 August 2008 and interior (7 October 2007) and once in the and have been observed on numerous oc- newly metamorphic individuals in the cave entrance (7 October 2011). The species was casions in the wooded sinkhole, in the cave stream at the entrance on 9 October 2004. occasionally encountered in the sinkhole entrance, and occasionally in downstream Tadpoles were likely washed into the cave and perimeter areas, but was commonly regions of the cave. stream via pond or lake outlets that drain heard calling in spring from the same local Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) – Fowl- into open sinkholes or by collapse of sink- sinkhole ponds utilized by Chorus Frogs. er’s Toad seems to be less common in the hole ponds within the Stemler Cave recharge area. Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseri- Stemler Cave area than the American Toad. ata) – Adults are occasionally observed in A single specimen was observed on the pe- Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris) – Pick- the wooded sinkhole, but have not been ob- rimeter of the preserve on 30 July 2004. erel Frogs were observed regularly within served within the cave. Chorus frogs com- Gray Tree Frog complex (Hyla versicolor/ the cave in all seasons, and on the surface monly breed in small sinkhole ponds in the Hyla chrysoscelis) – Gray Treefrogs were during spring and summer. Pickerel Frogs Stemler Cave area. Herpetological Diversity of Stemler Cave Nature Preserve, St. Clair County, Illinois 21 Robert G. Weck

Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii) Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum) – adult specimen was seen at the entrance of – The Eastern Spadefoot was first record- Milksnakes were seen regularly in the larg- a side passage, deep in the interior of the ed in the Stemler Cave area on 30 July 2004 er Stemler Karst Natural Area. Specimens cave on 12 July 2006. Painted Turtles are (Weck 2006a, INHS 19542) when eight were observed in the perimeter of SCNP common in sinkhole ponds in the area. juvenile individuals were observed in the on 21 May 2004 and 28 August 2007 (DOR perimeter area of the preserve following juvenile). Snapping Turtle (Chyledra serpentina) – An heavy rains. Juveniles were observed in the adult was observed at the bottom of the cave entrance on 9 August 2004 and 30 Oc- Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) – cave entrance on 7 June 2013. On 8 May 2004, a juvenile Common Wa- tober 2008. An adult was observed in Stem- Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) – A ler Cave on 12 July 2006, far downstream tersnake was observed exiting the western edge of the preserve. female Box Turtle was observed at the bot- (circa 1 km) of the preserve. I have heard tom of the cave entrance on 4 July 2005. A Spadefoot choruses following heavy rains Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aesti- sub-adult specimen was seen crossing the on several occasions within the Stemler vus) – A pair adult of Rough Greensnakes road at the northeast corner of the preserve Karst (March 2008, May 2008, April 2011, (one male, one female) was found dead on 22 May 2011 and an adult female crossed April 2012, April 2013). on Stemler Road at SCNP on 5 September the same spot on 2 May 2013. Eastern Box Salamanders 2005. The snakes were crossing the road a Turtles are occasionally encountered in few meters from the preserve boundary. A wooded sinkholes in the area. Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longi- third DOR Rough Green Snake was seen on cauda) – Individual Long-tailed Salaman- Stemler Road just east of the preserve on 30 Pond Slider (Trachemys scripta) – An adult der adults and larvae were observed in the May 2013. was observed at the bottom of the cave stream within the cave entrance chamber entrance on 6 June 2013. Pond Sliders are on several occasions (INHS photo vouch- Western Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus) common in sinkhole ponds in the area. – Western Ratsnakes have been observed er 42870), and under a rock on the wooded DISCUSSION perimeter of the preserve on 22 May 2011. moving in and out of the wooded sinkhole on numerous occasions and road-killed ju- The frog diversity observed during the Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon veniles are common on Stemler Road. A course of this study includes the first record glutinosus) – Two Northern Slimy Sala- large adult was seen in the twilight zone of of the Eastern Spadefoot, Scaphiopus hol- manders were observed in the study area; the cave interior on 7 October 2007. brookii, in St. Clair County, Illinois (Weck an adult under a log on the perimeter of the 2006a) and the first known record of the preserve (26 May 2004) and an adult within Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) – species within a cave. Given the known bi- the cave interior (2 April 2011). Northern Brownsnakes are common in the area, ology of this species, the occurrence of the Slimy Salamanders are widespread but un- though the only observation of a specimen Eastern Spadefoot in the cave is surely acci- common in the wooded karst portion of St. associated with the preserve was a DOR dental. Other species observed in the cave Clair County (Weck 2006b). specimen found on 26 October 2005. entrance or within the cave interior that should be classified as accidentals include Snakes Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirta- lis) – This species is common in the area American Toad, Western Ratsnake, Com- Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) – and individual Gartesnakes were frequent- mon Gartersnake, Snapping Turtle, Eastern Copperheads have been observed at the ly encountered in the wooded sinkhole and Box Turtle, Painted Turtle, and Pond Slider. north edge of the sinkhole, along Stemler perimeter area. A single adult Common Three amphibians recorded in SCNP are Road. Two specimens were found dead-on- Gartersnake was observed in the entrance known to be cave-associated species in Il- road (DOR) on 31 August 2005 and 30 Sep- chamber of Stemler Cave on 9 October linois; the Pickerel Frog, the Long-tailed tember 2011 and a large specimen emerged 2014. Salamander, and the Northern Slimy Sal- from the preserve and crossed the road on Lizards amander. The Pickerel Frog is a “species 11 Sept 2009. Copperheads are widely dis- in greatest need of conservation” (Illinois tributed in the larger Stemler Cave area. Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps) Wildlife Action Plan, Illinois Department The only vouchered Copperhead from St. – Broad-headed Skinks were frequently of Natural Resources 2005) and both the Clair County was collected near Stemler observed in the perimeter area. An adult Pickerel Frog and Long-tailed Salaman- Cave (Weck 2006c; INHS 19540) and the female was killed by a cat in the sinkhole der are indicator taxa for high quality cave species is likely restricted to the karst areas on 25 May 2005. Broad-headed Skinks are communities in the Ozark Natural Division of St. Clair County. common in the area. under the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan (Il- linois Department of Natural Resources North American Racer (Coluber constric- Turtles tor) – One adult North American Racer 2005). The Long-tailed Salamander is a was observed in the wooded sinkhole on 20 Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) – An adult troglophile, a species that can complete its April 2004, and the species was occasional- female Painted Turtle was observed as it entire life cycle in a cave (Durand 2005). ly seen in the surrounding area. emerged from the preserve and crossed Northern Slimy Salamanders have been Stemler Road on 12 May 2007. A deceased known to successfully reproduce in a south- Herpetological Diversity of Stemler Cave Nature Preserve, St. Clair County, Illinois 22 Robert G. Weck ern Illinois cave (Phillips et al. 1999). The a giant pitfall trap, concentrating ani- is likely the researchers mistakenly record- species has only recently been discovered in mals at the cave entrance and allowing ed P. dorsalis instead of P. glutinosus, which St. Clair County, at a site near Stemler Cave for easy detection. Seventeen of the 26 they did not report from the area but would (Weck 2006b) and also seem to be limited species observed were in the bottom of be expected in SHPK caves. Larval Eury- to the karst portion of the county. I have the entrance or within the cave interior cea were the most commonly encountered observed Northern Slimy Salamanders at (Table 1). amphibian in the SHPK, observed in seven four other sites within the Stemler Karst caves (with adult E. lucifuga in one cave and Natural Area, twice inside small caves. 3. Some species may utilize the humid, adult E. longicauda in another cave). Adult moist and thermally stable cave as a E. longicauda were observed in two addi- Given the small area of the study site, SCNP refuge during extreme surface weather tional caves. Two amphibians were report- appears to have a rich herpetological fau- conditions, increasing the likelihood ed from Stemler Cave (Rana [Lithobates] na. When compared to the herpetological of observing specimens in conditions sp. and Eurycea sp.). Based on the fact that I diversity of St. Clair County, IL (Phillips et where surface work would yield low di- did not detect E. lucifuga on 21 visits to the al. 1999) this 0.35-ha parcel and its perim- versity. The four highest species counts cave, the Eurycea species reported by Webb eter area includes 43% of the 60 recorded per single cave visit (5-7 species per et al. (1993) in Stemler Cave was likely E. species known from the entire county; 2 of date) occurred on dates between August longicauda. 9 salamander (22.2%), 11 of 13 frogs and and early October, when surface condi- toads (85%), 4 of 8 turtle (50%), 1 of 4 lizard tions were typically hot and dry. Organ- Elliott (2007) summarized the biodiversi- (25%), 8 of 26 (30.7%) snake species. A few isms that visit caves opportunistically ty of Missouri karst and cave habitats. The factors likely contribute to the high number are classified as trogloxenes and include amphibian and reptile diversity for Missou- of amphibians and reptiles recorded at this most of the frog species reported here. ri’s top three “biocaves” varies widely. Two site: of the caves report low diversity (Tumbling 4. Two of the preserve boundaries are ad- Creek Cave = 1 species, Mystery Cave = 4 1. The sinkhole and cave entrance are sit- jacent to a section of Stemler Road and species). However, the amphibian and rep- uated within the heart of a much larg- my driveway (Figure 1). The inclusion tile list for Devil’s Icebox Cave in Boone er complex of natural areas, the 1,837- of these area in the 10 meter wide “pe- County, MO includes 17 species. Important ha Stemler Karst Natural Area (Figure rimeter” allowed for many opportunistic similarities exist between Stemler Cave and 1) which, I have observed, has a rich observations. Five of the species report- Devil’s Icebox Cave. Both caves are situated herpetological fauna. The larger area ed here were only seen in the perimeter in large karst groundwater basins (Stemler contains all five currently used crite- areas (Table 1). = 18.4 km2; Devil’s Icebox = 34 km2) and ria for inclusion in the Illinois Natural have sinkhole entrances (Aley et al. 2000; Areas Inventory: high quality natural This study represents the first extensive single-site examination of karst and cave-re- Lerch 2011). The herpetological diversity of communities, specific suitable habitat both regions is similar. St. Clair County, IL for state-listed species, state dedicated lated amphibian and reptile diversity in Il- linois. Indeed, the herpetological record for has 60 recorded species and Boone Coun- Nature Preserves (including the 48.6- ty, MO has 55 species (Daniel and Edmond ha Stemler Cave Woods), outstanding Illinois caves is generally sparse. Webb et al. (1993) conducted a survey of cave biodi- 2014), with 40 species shared between the geological features, and unusual con- two counties. Devil’s Icebox is situated centrations of flora or fauna, and high versity in all of Illinois’ karst regions. Twen- ty eight caves in the Sinkhole Plain Karst within Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, quality streams (Illinois Department of where park rangers have recorded species Natural Resources 2013). Being moder- (SHPK) of Monroe and St. Clair Counties in Illinois, including Stemler Cave, were encountered on guided cave tours since ately mobile creatures, amphibians and 1982 (Roxie Campbell, pers. comm. Feb- reptiles move from one suitable location included in the survey. Most caves were visited once. No reptiles were observed in ruary 2014). Thus, both caves have been to another within the region and some visited frequently by naturalists who keep were merely crossing the preserve when the SHPK caves but 10 sites contained at least one amphibian species. A total of nine records of observed biodiversity. These data detected during the course of this sur- suggest that the 17 species observed in the vey. Species I have recorded in the larg- amphibian taxa were seen, seven identified to species level. A maximum of four entrance or interior of Stemler Cave may er Stemler Karst Natural Area that were represent typical herpetological diversi- not detected in SCNP include Spotted amphibian taxa were seen in one cave. The maximum number of species I encountered ty for a Midwestern cave ecosystem. This Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), study highlights the importance of long- Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma in Stemler Cave on a single date was seven (30 August 2012), with a mean of 2.9 spe- term studies in the understanding of re- tigrinum), Prairie Kingsnake (Lampro- gional and site-specific biodiversity. peltis calligaster), Smooth Earthsnake cies per cave trip. One species Webb et al. (Virginia valeriae) and Eastern Musk (1993) reported to be present in two caves, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus). the Northern Zigzag Salamander (Pletho- don dorsalis) is not otherwise known from Thanks to Dan Lamping (Illinois Speleo- 2. The preserve is a steep-sided sinkhole the SHPK. Its presence in Monroe or St. logical Survey) for drawing Figure 2. Jeff which leads to the pit-like cave entrance Clair counties would represent a significant Arnold (Southwestern Illinois College) (Figure 2). The topography here acts as range extension for P. dorsalis in Illinois. It provided valuable assistance with creating Herpetological Diversity of Stemler Cave Nature Preserve, St. Clair County, Illinois 23 Robert G. Weck

Figure 1. Chris Phillips (Illinois Natural Schaaf, R. and P. Smith. 1970. Geographic varia- History Survey), Dirk Stevenson (The Ori- tion in the pickerel frog. Herpetologica 26 (2): anne Society), Mike Marlen (Southwestern 240-254. Illinois College), and Ben Jellen (McKend- Soto-Adames, F. N. and S. J. Taylor. 2010. Status assessment survey for springtails (Collembo- ree University) provided helpful comments la) in Illinois caves: the Salem Plateau. INHS on an early version of the manuscript. Two Technical Report 2010 (13), Illinois Natural anonymous reviewers greatly improved the History Survey, Champaign, Illinois. 76pp. final draft of this paper. Thanks to Steven Webb. D. W., S. J. Taylor and J. K. Krejca. 1993. J. Taylor (Illinois Natural History Survey) The biological resources of Illinois caves and for discussion of amphibian observations other subterranean environments; Determina- made during his extensive fieldwork in Il- tion of the diversity, distribution, and status of linois caves. Publication of this manuscript the subterranean faunas of Illinois caves and was supported by Southwestern Illinois how these faunas are related to groundwater quality. Technical Report 1993(8), Illinois Nat- College Faculty Development funds. ural History Survey Center for Biodiversity, LITERATURE CITED Champaign, Illinois. 143pp. Aley, T., P. Moss, and C. Aley. 2000. Delineation Weck, R. 2006a. Geographic distribution. of recharge areas for four biologically signif- Scaphiopus holbrookii. Herpetological Review icant cave systems in Monroe and St. Clair 36 (4): 463. Counties, Illinois. Final Report to the Illinois Weck, R. 2006b. Geographic distribution. Nature Preserves Commission by Ozark Un- Plethodon glutinosus. Herpetological Review derground Laboratory; Protem, MO. 259pp. 36 (4): 462. Crother, B. I. (ed.). 2012. Scientific and standard Weck, R. 2006c. Geographic distribution. Agk- English names of amphibians and reptiles of istrodon contortrix. Herpetological Review 37 North America north of Mexico, with com- (1): 107. ments regarding confidence in our understanding. Seventh Edition. SSAR Herpetolog- ical Circular 39: 1-92. Daniel, R. E. and B. S. Edmond. 2014. Atlas of Missouri amphibians and reptiles for 2013. http://atlas.moherp.org/pubs/atlas13.pdf. Durand, J. P. 2005. Salamanders. pp. 485-491 in D. C. Culver and W. B. White (eds.). Encyclo- pedia of Caves. Elsevier Academic Press, Bur- lington MA. Elliott, W. R. 2007. Zoogeography and biodiversity of Missouri caves and karst. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies 69 (1): 135-162. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2005. The Illinois comprehensive wildlife conservation plan & strategy, Version 1.0. 353pp. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2013. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory. http://dnr. state.il.us/conservation/naturalheritage/Doc- uments/INAI_by_County.pdf Lerch, R. N. 2011. Contaminant transport in two central Missouri karst recharge areas. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies 73 (2): 99-113. Lewis, J. J., P. Moss, D. Tecic, and M. E. Nelson. 2003. A conservation focused inventory of subterranean invertebrates of the southwest Il- linois Karst. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies 65 (1): 9-21. Peck, S. B. and J. J. Lewis. 1978. Zoogeography and evolution of the subterranean invertebrate faunas of Illinois and southeastern Missouri. The National Speleological Society Bulletin 40 (2): 39-63. Phillips, C. A., R. A. Brandon, and E. O. Moll. 1999. Field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Manual 8. Champaign, Illinois. 300pp.