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July 28, 1997

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes the Illinois Cave Amphipod as Endangered Species; Cites Threats from Declining Water Quality

The Illinois cave amphipod, a small, cave-dwelling crustacean, has been proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an endangered species, initiating a review process that will help the Service determine whether the amphipod should come under protection of the Endangered Species Act. The species is already listed by the State of Illinois as a state endangered species.

Historically found in six caves in Monroe and St. Clair counties in southwestern Illinois, the Illinois cave amphipod now exists in only three cave systems in Monroe County, all within a 10-mile radius of Waterloo, Illinois. Service biologists fear that declining water quality has eliminated the amphipod from its other known locations.

"The Illinois cave amphipod, although a tiny, little-known creature, is an indicator of how healthy the water is in the cave systems it inhabits," said the Service's Regional Director William Hartwig. "That is important because the water in those caves comes from groundwater from the surrounding countryside. When we see a species like the cave amphipod begin to decline, folks should begin to wonder about the quality of the water they use themselves."

The region inhabited by the Illinois cave amphipod, just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, is characterized by sinkholes and caves, often connected by underground streams. Water from the surrounding area finds its way into groundwater which feeds cave streams where the amphipod and other cave-dwelling species are found. Groundwater quality can be affected by use of pesticides and fertilizers on surrounding lands, accidental or intentional dumping of toxic substances in sinkholes, and sewage contamination from septic systems, sewage disposal systems, or land application of waste.

Measuring less than an inch in length, the Illinois cave amphipod lives only in cave streams. It is a scavenger, feeding on all kinds of dead plants and animals, as well as the bacterial film that covers submerged surfaces. Recent surveys for the species indicate the amphipod has probably been eliminated from three of the six caves it once inhabited. The entrances to two of the caves where it is currently found are owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which allows public use of one of the sites. The other cave is privately owned, but three of its entrances are dedicated as Nature Preserves and will be protected in perpetuity.

The Service's proposal to list the Illinois cave amphipod begins a year-long review of the available information on the species. During that time, the Service will examine available data and solicit additional information from the public, scientists, the academic community, and other sources. The Service will then make a determination to either list the species as endangered or withdraw its proposal.

Species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act are considered likely to become extinct in the foreseeable future. If the amphipod is listed, the Service would begin planning recovery actions, which might include research on the effects of pollutants in the watershed, and cooperative efforts with landowners to improve water quality. The amphipod would be protected from "take," which includes harming or killing the species. Other Federal agencies would be required to ensure that their activities do not jeopardize the amphipod.

The Service's proposal to list the Illinois cave amphipod appears in the July 28, 1997, Federal Register. The Service invites public comments, which may be submitted to Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4469 48th Avenue Court, Rock Island, Illinois 61201. Comments will be accepted through September 26, 1997.

-FWS-