Excursion to Francistown and Mystery Creek Cave
with Arthur Clarke, Feb 2006 |
Egg case of Tasmanian cave spider, Hickmania troglodytes, in Lyrebird Gully on Arthur's property at Francistown. |
Cave spider Hickmania hanging from its web by night under a sandstone outcrop in Lyrebird Gully. |
Cave cricket Micropathus kiernani at night-time, on the underside of a log in Lyrebird Gully. |
About to enter Mystery Creek Cave. |
Glow-worm threads with sticky droplets dangling down 'fishing' for prey. The ensnared mayfly was being hauled up as we watched! Mystery Creek Cave. |
The glow-worm lava suspended from its network of ceiling threads, and hauling up its 'fishing line'. The tail end of its body glows in the dark, attracting flying prey insects. Mystery Creek Cave. |
Cave harvestman Hickmanoxyomma caviticum is the top predator. Mystery Creek Cave. |
A 'scalloped' area of limestone cave wall, eroded by flowing water under pressure. Mystery Creek Cave. |
A mayfly (Ephemeroptera) resting on the cave wall. Mystery Creek Cave. |
Photos on this page by Geoff Fenton |