Blind Ozark Cavefish Research

The Ozark cavefish is found in small cave streams with pool areas. The water source is almost always an upwelling from the groundwater table. Suitable caves are usually found in the vicinity of large permanent streams. Over collecting and pollution are thought to be the prime factors in the decline of the Ozark cavefish. The low reproductive abilities, confined habitat, and inability to elude captors make the Ozark cavefish vulnerable to over collection. The largest Ozark cavefish populations occur in caves used by the gray bat, where the bat guano forms the cave’s primary energy source. A reduction in bat numbers would likely be followed by a decline in the cavefish population.