Comal Springs dryopid beetle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Comal Springs dryopid beetle |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Superfamily: |
Byrrhoidea
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| Family: |
Dryopidae
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| Genus: |
Stygoparnus
Barr & Spangler, 1992
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| Species: |
S. comalensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Stygoparnus comalensis Barr & Spangler, 1992
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The Stygoparnus comalensis is a very special type of beetle. It's so unique that it's the only species in its group, called a monotypic genus. This little beetle is also known as the Comal Springs dryopid beetle.
It's a very rare insect found only in Texas in the United States. It lives in just two specific springs. Because it's so rare and its home is in danger, the United States government has listed it as an endangered species. This means it's protected by law to help it survive.
Contents
What is This Beetle Like?
Scientists first found the Comal Springs dryopid beetle in 1987. They officially described it as a new species in 1992. This tiny beetle is about 3 to 3.7 millimeters long. That's roughly the size of a few grains of rice!
It's a "subterranean" species, which means it lives underground. Because of this, it has very small, almost useless eyes. It also has very faint coloring. What makes it extra special is that it's the only known aquatic (water-living) beetle in its family.
Where Does It Live?
This unique beetle lives in two specific places in Texas. One home is in Comal Springs, located in Comal County. The other is Fern Bank Springs in Hays County, Texas.
Even though it lives in springs, the beetle doesn't actually swim. Scientists think it might live in small air pockets found inside the underground caves. It's hard to learn much about this beetle's life because its cave home, called a karst habitat, is very difficult for humans to explore.
Why is it in Danger?
One of the springs where the beetle lives gets its water from the Edwards Aquifer. An aquifer is a huge underground layer of rock that holds water. People have used water from the Edwards Aquifer for a long time, for things like watering crops (called irrigation).
The biggest danger to the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, and other rare animals that live in the same area like Peck's cave amphipod, is losing their water source. If the springs dry up or the water quality gets bad, these special creatures could disappear forever. Protecting the water in these springs is super important for the beetle's survival.
See also
- In Spanish: Stygoparnus comalensis para niños
Images for kids
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A robot, like the one on the Kiddle website.
