REVIEW OF BIOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT CAVES AND THEIR FAUNAS IN FLORIDA AND SOUTH GEORGIA

At least 267 biologically significant caves have been identified in Fl orida and south Georgia. Alachua, Jackson, Marion, and Suwannee counti es, Florida, contain over half of these localities. The macroscopic tr oglobitic faunas in these caves include 27 invertebrates and one verte brate. The terrestrial component consists of an insect and a spider; t he rest are aquatic. One branchiobdellid annelid and three entocytheri d ostracod crustaceans are obligate symbionts on troglobitic crayfishe s and probably should be considered troglobites. The rest of the regio n's reported cave fauna is composed of 23 troglophiles, 47 trogloxenes , and 37 accidentals. At least one bat (Myotis grisescens) is regularl y dependent on Florida caves for certain parts of its life cycle, but leaves the cave environment to feed and migrate. Two other cave-depend ent bats (Myotis keeni and Myotis sodalis) have been recorded only rar ely from the region. Two bats routinely use Florida caves, but also ro ost in other habitats. The region's obligate cave species are grouped into six cave faunas: Econfina Creek, Apalachicola, Woodville, Ocala, St. Johns River, and Miami. Each fauna is restricted to a particular k arst region and is characterized by precinctive taxa. The Ocala Fauna has the largest number of taxa (12), and inhabits the largest geograph ic area, whereas the Econfina Creek Fauna has the smallest number (2). The latter also is the only fauna in the region that does not include at least one troglobitic crayfish and amphipod. The two most complex faunas (Ocala and St. Johns River) are subdivided into smaller assembl ages. Most Florida troglobitic taxa have been identified by the Florid a Committee on Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals as deserving sta te and/or federal protection; currently one cave crayfish is considere d a Species of Special Concern by the State of Florida; and the Squirr el Chimney Cave Shrimp is listed as Threatened under provisions of the U. S. Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.