Last week, our team had the privilege of traveling to Perry County, Missouri, to conduct fieldwork focused on the endangered grotto sculpin (Cottus specus)—a fascinating cave-adapted fish found nowhere else in the world. With headlamps lit and gear in hand, we descended into the dark, quiet world beneath the surface to sample several cave sites as part of ongoing conservation efforts.
This work is made possible through a strong collaboration with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Saint Louis Zoo. We’re especially grateful to the skilled cavers from the Southeast Missouri Grotto, who served as our guides. Their knowledge of the terrain and commitment to safety allowed us to reach these remote sites efficiently and safely. Without their support, this project simply wouldn’t be possible.
