Illinois cave amphipod facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Illinois cave amphipod
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Superorder:	Peracarida
Order:	Amphipoda
Family:	Gammaridae
Genus:	Gammarus
Species:	G. acherondytes
Binomial name
Gammarus acherondytes Hubricht & Mackin, 1940
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Synonyms
Gammarus acheronytes (orthographic error)

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The Gammarus acherondytes, also known as the Illinois cave amphipod, is a tiny crustacean. It belongs to the family Gammaridae. This special creature lives only in a small area of southwestern Illinois. You can find it in Monroe and St. Clair counties. This includes places like the Illinois Caverns State Natural Area.

This amphipod lives only in streams found deep underground. Scientists first found it in 1938. They officially named it a new species in 1940. Historically, it was known to live in six different caves. However, a survey in 1995 found it in only three of those places. All the known locations are within a 10-mile circle around Waterloo, Illinois. This makes it a very rare and local species. The biggest danger to these amphipods is water pollution that seeps into their underground homes.

What Does It Look Like?

The Illinois cave amphipod is a fairly small crustacean. Its body is usually a light gray-blue color. It has very small eyes. It also lacks certain sensory organs on its second antenna.

Where Does It Live?

The Illinois cave amphipod lives in underground streams and waterways. These are all located in Illinois. It has been found in five cave streams. These are in Monroe and St. Clair counties.

Some of these caves include Fogelpole Cave, Illinois Caverns, Krueger-Dry Run Cave, Madonnaville Cave, and Pautler Cave. Stemler Cave is in St. Clair County. Pautler Cave is now closed to visitors. The largest group of these amphipods lives in the Illinois Caverns. Sadly, no amphipods have been found in Madonnaville Cave since 1986. None have been seen in Stemler Cave since 1965.

Threats and Conservation

The main threat to the Illinois cave amphipod is pollution from human activities. Chemicals and other harmful substances can get into the water. This makes the underground streams unsafe for the amphipods.

Even though they face dangers, these amphipods can breed all year long. Young amphipods make up more than half of their population. This means that if their homes are kept clean and safe, their numbers could grow back. Protecting their underground water sources is very important for their survival.