Notes on the ecology of the high altitude aeolian zone on Mauna Kea

Author:

Howarth, Francis G., Montgomery, Steven L.

Title:

Notes on the ecology of the high altitude aeolian zone on Mauna Kea

Periodical:

Elepaio

Year:

1980

Volume:

41

Pages:

21-22

Subject:

Wekiu bug Spiders Aeolian ecosystems Mauna Kea Ecology Hawaii Island

Summary:

The summit regions of Mauna Kea (13,796 ft.), and Mauna Loa (13,677 ft), have widely been assumed to be biological deserts due to extreme environmental conditions and the obvious lack of plant life that exists on these summits. However, found on the high altitude aeolian zone of Mauna Kea, lives a number of animals. The Wekiu bug, a flightless lygaeid bug, lives under rocks and cinders and preys on the dying or dead insects that are blown to the summit of Mauna Kea on the winds from the lower slopes. Two small sheet web spiders, Linyphiidae, (one of which is likely an endemic Erigone and one that is unidentified), build snares on the under-surfaces of the larger boulders. The largest native animal living in this habitat is a lycosid wolf spider. While it is doubtful that this spider is restricted to the summit areas of Mauna Kea, it believed that this spider may be endemic to Hawaii island. However, there is concern that the use of off-road vehicles likely turn over boulders that play an important role in maintaining the populations of these specialized animals on the summit and are affecting the habitat of these species during dry summer months. It is also felt that the construction of observatory facilities atop Mauna Kea also likely disturbs the habitat of the Wekiu bug. This begs the question, "Have some other highly specialized animals, which once lived in the unique ecosystem of Mauna Kea, already become extinct as a result of the increase in astronomical facilities and man's activities atop Mauna Kea?"

Label:

Ecology

Date:

1980

Collection:

Periodicals