New Discoveries in Hawai‘i’s Lava Tubes

When:
February 17, 2020 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
2020-02-17T19:00:00-10:00
2020-02-17T20:30:00-10:00
Where:
Lyman Museum
276 Haili St. Hilo HI 96720

Evening Presentation:

Who dares describe Hawai‘i’s iconic lava tubes as fossilized tunnels, bereft of life?!  Since 2015, UH-Mānoa’s Dr. Megan Porter and a team of cave biologists from around the U.S. have been studying the communities of animals living in lava tubes on the island of Hawai‘i.  In general, such ecosystems existing on our volcanoes of different ages consist of very similar assemblages of invertebrates—planthoppers, spiders, millipedes, crickets, and others—all dependent on roots penetrating the lava tube from surface forests above.  Molecular tools have helped identify the roots in these systems as being mostly ‘Ōhi‘a, linking Hawaiian subterranean ecosystems directly to the surface forest landscape.  In surveys of lava tube systems not previously studied for biology, the research team has discovered a remarkable number of new species, including unique cave-adapted planthoppers, beetles, cave treaders, and thread-legged bugs (who knew?!).  These new discoveries highlight the singularity of Hawaiian lava tube ecosystems, and how they are intimately connected to conservation of native forests on the surface.  Learn all about these creatures and their nether world, on two occasions:  Monday evening, February 17, and the following afternoon, February 18.

Admission to these wonderful programs is free to Museum members, and $3.00 for nonmembers.  Please support the Museum by becoming a member, and enjoy all Saigo Series programs, all year round, at no charge!  Seating is limited; first come, first seated.  ON MONDAY EVENINGS ONLY, additional parking is available next door at Hilo Union School, Kapiolani St. entrance; park, then walk through our green gate in the rock wall

On Monday evenings, doors open at 6:30PM.  E komo mai!

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