Posted on: Saturday, February 12, 2005

Help on way for Kaua'i cave species

By Jan Tenbruggencate
Advertiser Science Writer

A draft recovery plan for two zoological species on Kaua'i calls for the protection of the caves they live in and learning more about how they live.

The two are the Kaua'i cave amphipod, a small shrimplike crustacean, and the Kaua'i cave wolf spider, a blind hunting spider that may prey on the amphipod. They were discovered in 1971, living in caves, cracks and lava tubes in the Koloa and Po'ipu areas of south Kaua'i. Both are on the federal endangered species list.

There are perhaps fewer than 30 Kaua'i cave spiders in existence, all living in a single cave. The cave amphipod, also blind, is regularly found in three caves, including the one where the cave wolf spider is found.

The draft recovery plan, released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, includes a range of recommendations for protecting the life forms, including limiting human entry into caves where they are known to exist, protecting and improving the vegetation on top of those caves and keeping herbicides and pesticides away from their habitats.

Researchers, who believe that the amphipod and spider require very high humidity in the caves, recommend research into regulating the moisture level in caves that might be made habitable by the amphipod and spider.

The plan is available online at pacificislands.fws.gov, or call 792-9400. A 60-day public comment period on the draft plan runs through early April.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or at (808) 245-3074.