Cicurina madla

Gertsch, 1992

Madla Cave meshweaver, Madla's Cave Meshweaver

Cicurina madla is a federally endangered troglobitic to karst caves in Bexar County, Texas. First described by Gertsch in 1992, it was synonymized with Cicurina venii in 2018. The is completely eyeless and exhibits morphological to cave life, including elongated legs relative to body size. It is known from only eight to nine caves and depends on cave as a food source.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cicurina madla: /sɪkjʊˈriːnə ˈmædlə/

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Identification

Distinguished from Cicurina by troglomorphy index above 2.0, genetic data, and detailed structure of female or male . Complete eyelessness separates it from surface-dwelling relatives. Requires examination of or molecular analysis for definitive identification.

Habitat

Dark, humid karst caves in the Edwards Plateau region. Troglobite—spends entire life in subterranean environment. Dependent on stable cave microclimate with high humidity and constant temperature. Found in eight to nine caves in Bexar County, Texas.

Distribution

to Bexar County, Texas, United States. Known from eight to nine caves including Government Canyon Bat Cave; possibly also Braken Bat Cave (historically mislabeled specimen). Range restricted to karst formations of the Edwards Plateau.

Diet

. Has been observed to feed on cave (Ceuthophilus secretus) and their remains, including and carcasses. Relies on matter transported into caves by crickets.

Host Associations

Ceuthophilus secretus - /food sourceCave is keystone resource; C. madla feeds directly on crickets or indirectly on resources derived from cricket activity

Behavior

Sedentary typical of troglobitic . Slow-moving, consistent with reduced metabolic rates of cave-adapted .

Ecological Role

in nutrient-poor cave . Part of a simple dependent on allochthonous matter input via cave . Listed as one of three federally endangered (with Rhadine exilis and Rhadine infernalis) sharing this cave system and cricket resource.

Human Relevance

Federally listed as endangered since 2000. Subject of management including control near cave entrances. Discovery of individual in 2012 during highway construction in San Antonio halted a $15-million underpass project, illustrating land-use conflicts with rare protection.

Similar Taxa

Cicurina venii (now synonymized)Formerly described as separate from Braken Bat Cave; 2018 study found specimens with C. madla based on and genetics. Either mislabeled specimen or represents southern range extension.
Other troglobitic Cicurina species in subgenus CicurellaMany described from single specimens with minor genital differences; C. madla distinguished by specific / structure and geographic restriction to Bexar County caves.

More Details

Taxonomic history

Cicurina venii was synonymized with C. madla in 2018. The single known specimen of C. venii was either mislabeled from Government Canyon Bat Cave or represents a true southern range extension to Braken Bat Cave, whose entrance is now filled and inaccessible.

Conservation threats

Primary threats include cave filling or quarrying for development, pollution, altered hydrology, direct human disturbance, and () that attack cave at foraging distances from entrances.

Troglomorphy index

Cokendolpher's troglomorphy index (TI) quantifies leg elongation relative to body size. C. madla consistently scores above 2.0 (except small immatures), reflecting to cave .