Japygid Cave is one of the lesser known secluded caves of Austin, Texas. Only so much information can be found out about Japygid Cave. This news article will explain what Japygid Cave is. Japygid Cave has several karst features relating to nature, wildlife, biology, and geology.
Japygid Cave is known for having a beautiful and rugged terrain due to the fact that this particular cave located within Jollyville Plateau range which is part of the rugged and beautiful terrain of Western Travis County. Much of the terrain inside Japygid Cave is known to be very rigid and rocky. There are known to be many limestone fissures which can be found inside Japygid Cave.
Japygid Cave is hydrogeologically connected from subsurface infiltration since the rock beds tilt to the northeast and the development is up-contour from the floor of the cave. (Ref: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/HCP_TPGFourPoints_19951113.pdf)
The depth of this cave extends to around 254 feet. Elevation of the main entrance is 1,030 feet. There are several entrances that connect to this cave. However some of these entrances have been plugged with boulders. An area of interior collapsed and fill are located beneath the ceiling. Floors are composed of clay composites with clean solid rock floors. (Ref: ftp://ftp.austintexas.gov/GIS-Data/WCD/WCD/Req/The_Caves_of_the_Balcones_Conservation_Plan.pdf)
Japygid Cave contains numerous karst features as this cave is on property located within the Jollyville Plateau KFR and Jollyville Plateau. Tooth Cave ground beetles have been confirmed to inhabit Japygid Cave. The Tooth Cave ground beetle is one of the prominent karst features of Japygid Cave. Japygid Cave may also contain other listed species of insects. Japygid Cave is considered to contain potential habitat for endangered cave invertebrates. (Ref: https://digital.lib.usf.edu/SFS0054742/00001)
Japygid Cave contains the endangered Texella reyesi. The endangered Texella reyesi has been known to inhabit this cave. Tooth Cave ground beetles and Bone Cave harvestman have been confirmed to inhabit Japygid Cave. It is confirmed that Tooth Cave ground beetles and/or Bone Cave harvestman are within the 52-acre preserve of the Four Points HCP. There have been times when Japygid Cave has been carpeted with fire ants. (Ref: The Caves of the Balcones Conservation Plan, 1996)
“[t]his area contains a total of five caves (Owl Eyes, Japygid, Eluvial, Fernpit,
M.W.A. and Jollyville) known to be inhabited by Tooth Cave ground beetle
(four caves) and/or Bone Cave harvestman (three caves).”
Bee Creek Cave harvestman and the Blind cave dwelling beetle are among the rare cave insects living in limestone fissures. These beetles are found in the Jollyville Plateau from Four Points (FM 620 and FM 2222). [Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/358789718/]
Based on review of maps in the Four Points HCP from The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve karst management 2003 annual report, it appears that four caves (Disbelievers, Japygid, Jollyville Plateau, and MWA caves) confirmed to support Tooth Cave ground beetles are within the 52-acre preserve. The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve karst management 2003 annual report lists these four caves as within a common preserve. (Ref: The Balcones Canyonlands Preserve karst management 2003 annual report)
A species of ant called Texamaurops reddelli has been confirmed to exist in Japygid Cave. Texamaurops reddelli is listed as an endangered species on the Federally Listed Endangered Species. (Ref: https://bugguide.net/node/view/443895)
Species of the Austin Tooth Cave ground beetle, Bee Creek Cave harvestman, black-capped vireo, daddy-longlegs, crickets, pseudoscorpions, Texella reyesi, and Blind cave dwelling beetle can be found in Japygid Cave since Japygid Cave located in the Jollyville Plateau range which is part of the rugged and beautiful terrain of Western Travis County.
Japygid Cave is located at 7501 River Place Boulevard, Austin, Texas, US 78726.
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