The Subterranean Aquatic Fauna of the Greenbrier Karst

The Greenbrier Karst harbors 16 species of stygobionts known from 92 caves, and six of these caves are type localities of ten of the species. The fauna is dominated by crustaceans and especially amphipods of the genus Stygobromus, and they primarily occupy vadose streams and the epikarst, but are notably absent from phreatic waters. Stygobromus spinaus is the most widely distributed, found in 59 caves. The segmented worm Trichodrilus culeri and the salamander Gyrinophilus subterraneus are both endemic to single site. The amphipod Gammarus minus is the most intensely studied species, but the basic biology of the other species is little known. The Organ Cave system holds the record in species richness (8) and in terms of type locality (3 species) and deserves a coordinated effort for protection.