Endemic Species
Like many southern California dune systems, the Kelso dunes have a number of endemic animal species. The list includes at least ten species of insect, such as the Kelso Dunes Giant Sand Treader (Macrobaenetes kelsoensis, a species of camel cricket), the Kelso Dunes Jerusalem Cricket (Ammopelmatus kelsoensis, a stenopelmatid), a giant Mydid fly (Rhaphiomidas tarsalis), and the Kelso Dunes Shieldback Katydid (Eremopedes kelsoensis), as well as several rare native bees, wasps, and beetles. Although not strictly endemic, several plant and reptile species are rare outside of these dunes. One example is the Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard (Uma scoparia), which is specialized in its ability to "swim" under sand.
Read more about this topic: Kelso Dunes
Famous quotes containing the word species:
“Not only does every animal live at the expense of some other animal or plant, but the very plants are at war.... The individuals of a species are like the crew of a foundered ship, and none but good swimmers have a chance of reaching the land.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)