Thalkethops grallatrix (A Cave Obligate Centipede)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Chilopoda

Order: Scolopendromorpha

Family: Cryptopidae

Genus: Thalkethops

Species: grallatrix

A Cave Obligate Centipede - Thalkethops grallatrix

351466

Species Extent (New Mexico)

Global Rank: G1

State Rank: S1

Rank Metadata
State Rank: S1	Rank Changed: 05/01/2025
Rank Reviewed: 03/21/2000
Reason: The Carlsbad Centipede has only been found in Carlsbad Caverns National Park in dark and wet locations, sometimes at great depths. As a result, the species has a very small Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and number of Occurrences. It is also potentially threatened by drought, and groundwater abstraction. Being found in only one cave system this system is perilously positioned where anything that disrupts the cave ecosystem could cause its extinction. As a result, the species is currently assessed as S1 in New Mexico.

Ecological Factors
Specificity: Very narrow. Specialist or community with key requirements scarce.	Range Extent: <100 square km (less than about 40 square miles)
Occurences: 1 - 5	Population Size: Unknown
Area of Occupancy: The Carlsbad Centipede is thought to be a cave obligate species (Barr and Reddell 1967) found only deep within the caves at Carlsbad Caverns national Park, in southeastern New Mexico. The centipede has been collected on just three occasions, at three different localities, though the full scope of the range is unknown. The 1957 holotype was found beneath Iceberg Rock (Crabill 1960, Barr and Reddell 1967) and the 1959 specimen was found in the Papoose Room Tunnel (Barr and Reddell 1967). The 2023 occurrence was seen in the Hall of the White Giant (Bock 2023). There are also unconfirmed sightings by Baker (1959) near the left hand tunnel which leads down to the Lake of the Clouds (Baker 1959, Barr and Reddell 1967).	Threat Summary: N/A

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NMRP Strategy Status:

Number of Subpopulations: 0

Number of Mapped Locations: 0

Number of Observations: 0

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