Rhadine persephone
| Rhadine persephone | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Carabidae |
| Genus: | Rhadine |
| Species: | R. persephone
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhadine persephone Barr, 1974
| |
Rhadine persephone is a rare species of beetle known by the common name Tooth Cave ground beetle. It is endemic to Texas in the United States, where it occurs in a network of caves outside Austin.[1] It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
This troglobite is a reddish-brown beetle about 7 or 8 millimeters long. Its eyes are rudimentary.[2] It lives on the silt on the cave floors, where it runs around seeking food. It digs up and consumes cricket eggs.[3]
This beetle has been found at 54 locations in karst caves in Travis and Williamson Counties in Texas; three of these locations have since been destroyed.[4] The beetle's survival is threatened by the destruction of its cave habitat, the degradation of the caves by pollution and garbage, and the invasion of fire ants.[3]
References
- ^ Rhadine persephone. The Nature Conservancy.
- ^ USFWS. Final rule to determine 5 Texas cave invertebrates to be endangered species. Federal Register September 16, 1988.
- ^ a b Rhadine persephone. Texas Parks & Wildlife.
- ^ USFWS. Rhadine persephone Five-year Review. September 2008.
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