Eight new arthropod species have recently been discovered. explorers in the tubular caves of New Mexico. These caves, formed as a result of chaotic motion of lava flows along slope, have a rather unusual, sometimes hollow structure, and stretch for many kilometers. The ecosystem of several caves different from the more famous and familiar limestone for us caves. In addition, tubular caves, due to free circulation air flows can acquire the most unusual and amazing forms. Photos from open sources
More than 200 of these caves are located on the territory of El Mulpays. (National Monument in New Mexico). Resource management team national treasure regularly holds large-scale cave population census, recording overnight stays and movement wintering bats and a number of other animal species. However how it turned out, researchers overlooked several unusual the inhabitants hiding in the remote corners of the caves. To spend a more complete inventory of cave “residents”, the team researchers from the University of Northern Arizona went to study local caves. “The caves didn’t want to easily reveal their secrets,” says the author of the study. However, the work was not in vain, and in addition to dozens of already known species the team discovered eight new species arthropods (a group of animals that includes insects, spiders and crustaceans). For example, a new species of spider from the family delphacids resembles a leaf shape and is perfectly adapted to complete darkness of the caves. All arthropods found have quite unusual and interesting characteristics, including: blind vision, light pigmentation and long appendages, which allow you to move skillfully and quickly. These finds say us that in the world there are still many unknown to science ecosystems and creatures that hide many secrets and mysteries. A team from the University of Northern Arizona hopes to return to caves to continue exploring. Maybe the mazes tubular caves in their depths still hide a lot of amazing discoveries.
Translation by Sergey Vasilenkov
Insect Caves