The 30-year recovery effort for the Ozark cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae): Analysis of current distribution, population trends, and conservation status of this threatened species

Abstract

Here we review the thirty year recovery effort and conservation status of the Ozark cavefish, Amblyopsis rosae. We summarized the historic and current range of the species, and report county range extensions for both A. rosae and its confamilial Typhlichthys subterraneus. Ozark cavefish survey data spanning almost a century were analyzed for temporal trends using the Mann-Kendall Test/Sen's Slope Estimator Method. Results were inconclusive because variance was high and the majority of data sets were not sufficiently large to detect a trend. However, the two largest populations (Cave Springs Cave and Logan Cave, Benton Co., Arkansas) have stabilizing or increasing survey counts. While the number of active cavefish sites has decreased over 50% since 1990, the number of surveyed individuals has not. Reasons for endangerment were reanalyzed since federal listing; the primary threat has shifted from overcollection to habitat degradation. We analyzed the progress of recovery task implementation, and we critically evaluated the basis of delisting criteria. Recovery Task 1, the hydrogeologic delineation of subterranean habitats, is almost complete. Recovery Task 2 prescribes protection and management for Recovery Caves, and important progress has been made. Recovery Task 3 involves the development and implementation of monitoring programs in Recovery Caves. Several important studies have been performed, and indicate that many cavefish populations are experiencing chronic, low-level exposure to a suite of anthropogenic contaminants. Delisting conditions are largely unattainable as currently worded. We suggest that recovery criteria be amended such that habitat protection goals are attainable, that the list of Recovery Caves can be periodically updated, and that the recovery Environ Biol Fish (2010) 87:55-88 population goal is increased and distributed between more sites.

Headwater Streams and Wetlands are Critical for Sustaining Fish, Fisheries, and Ecosystem Services

“…Cavefish habitat demonstrates the importance of the significant nexus perspective, because ephemeral or intermittent headwaters support habitat for imperiled species living in habitat farther downstream ( Figure 5). Aquatic habitats of federally listed Ozark Cavefish Amblyopsis rosae (threatened) in Cave Springs Cave, Arkansas (Graening et al 2010), and Alabama Cavefish Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni (endangered) in Key Cave, Alabama (USFWS 2017), are supplied water from streams that flow intermittently above and below the surface at intervals as well as seeps, sink holes, and fractures in karst formations. Headwater streams in this region are not navigable, but they are essential for cavefish habitat, and their discharge contributes to flows in the Illinois (Arkansas; Brown et al 1998) and Tennessee (USFWS 2017) rivers.…”

Population ecology and seasonal demography of the endangered grotto sculpin (Cottus specus)

“…Five individuals tagged in Running Bull Cave during winter were recaptured at Thunderhole Resurgence during subsequent spring sampling providing more evidence that grotto sculpin may experience washout events similar to other species such as Southern cavefish ( Amblyopsis rosae ) which are known to be washed out of subterranean habitats by flood events in a similar manner (Graening et al. ).…”

“…Winter decreases in adult presence underground coupled with increases at resurgences could be indicative of sculpin utilising seasonally high flow events to facilitate large downstream movements from cave sites to resurgences, and to a lesser extent maturation of the previous year's cohort . Five individuals tagged in Running Bull Cave during winter were recaptured at Thunderhole Resurgence during subsequent spring sampling providing more evidence that grotto sculpin may experience washout events similar to other species such as Southern cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae) which are known to be washed out of subterranean habitats by flood events in a similar manner (Graening et al 2010).…”

Fisheries Volume 44 Number 2 February 2019

“…Cavefi sh habitat demonstrates the importance of the signifi cant nexus perspective, because ephemeral or intermittent headwaters support habitat for imperiled species living in habitat farther downstream ( Figure 5 ). Aquatic habitats of federally listed Ozark Cavefi sh Amblyopsis rosae (threatened) in Cave Springs Cave, Arkansas (Graening et al 2010 ), and Alabama Cavefi sh Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni (endangered) in Key Cave, Alabama (USFWS 2017 ), are supplied water from streams that fl ow intermittently above and below the surface at intervals as well as seeps, sink holes, and fractures in karst formations. Headwater streams in this region are not navigable, but they are essential for cavefi sh habitat, and their discharge contributes to fl ows in the Illinois (Arkansas; Brown et al 1998 ) and Tennessee (USFWS 2017 ) rivers.…”