Cave & Karst Science (ISSN 1356-191X)

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Contents of Cave & Karst Science 52(2)

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Cave and Karst Science (iv + 52pp) (PDF 13.3MB)        Individual articles may be available below

GUNN, John and David LOWE (eds.). (2025). Cave and Karst Science 52(2). Buxton: British Cave Research Association. ISSN 1356-191X. iv + 52pp, A4, with photos, maps and diagrams.
This issue has a cover date of 2025 (August) and was published in September 2025.

The Transactions of the British Cave Research Association.

The PDF files comprising this issue are at a high resolution and have been assembled using an RGB colour space. The single file containing the entire issue (see above) is at a lower quality, suitable for screen-reading.

Front Cover Photo (page i) (PDF 2.8MB)     

by John GUNN.
The "Springy Thingy" in Agamemnon Cave, one of several caves in the Mangaotaki area of the King Country [North Island, New Zealand] that contain extensive gypsum speleothem deposits. (Photo: John Gunn).

 

Notes for contributors (page ii) (PDF 698KB)     

 

Contents (p41) (PDF 887KB)     

 

Editorial (p42) (PDF 758KB)     

by John GUNN and David LOWE.

 

Charles Chilton and the discovery of 'well-shrimps' in New Zealand: a case study of serendipity and contingency (pp43-57) (PDF 3.4MB)     

by Max MOSELEY.
The late 19th century discovery in New Zealand of diverse communities of the subterranean Crustacea referred to colloquially as 'well-shrimps' represents a significant case of contingency and serendipity in speleobiology. They were discovered in 1881 and described by Charles Chilton (1860–1929), then a young Canterbury College (Christchurch) M.A. student studying crustacean taxonomy. These were the first groundwater (phreatic) fauna reported in the Southern Hemisphere. The finding significantly extended the known global range and ecological richness of aquatic subterranean ecosystems. While interest elsewhere prioritized their taxonomy and classification, Chilton spent the next fifteen years also considering their zoogeography, ecology, and evolution. He did this in his spare time balancing school teaching and research, and despite a physical disability that limited his ability to do fieldwork. He received specimens and information from others, especially William Walter Smith (1852–1942), an estate gardener and competent amateur naturalist whose employment at the time enabled him to travel and make collections and observations at various locations around South Island. Chilton's observations and perceptive insights on these (and on similar subterranean Crustacea found in Europe) were ahead of their time, potentially advancing speleobiology if heeded. But his work was under appreciated and it did not have the impact that it deserved. This is attributed to multiple factors, primarily the domination of American and French non-Darwinian thinking in this sub-science, the contemporary emphasis on classical taxonomy within biology, blinkered insular attitudes towards colonial science, and wider social factors. This case-study illustrates how scientific discovery can be shaped by the complex interplay between serendipity, individual enterprise, and a multiplicity of contingent factors.
Classification: Paper.

Bibliograph: MOSELEY, Max. (2025). Charles Chilton and the discovery of 'well-shrimps' in New Zealand: a case study of serendipity and contingency. Cave and Karst Science 52(2), (pp43-57).

 

Additional possible finds of flint implements at Kirkhead Cavern, and the legacy of excavations by the Lancaster Cavern and Mine Research Society (pp58-60) (PDF 2.6MB)     

by Phillip J MURPHY and Andrew T CHAMBERLAIN.
Details of the known history of archaeological excavations at Kirkhead Cavern in Cumbria, UK, are presented and reviewed, together with brief considerations of the interpretation and significance of the outcomes of the early investigations by members of the Lancaster Cavern and Mine Research Society. Artefacts unearthed during the early digging are described broadly, and considered in their stratigraphical context, alongside the results of limited isotopic dating of material recovered from the site, leading to a conclusion that the chronostratigraphical record extends back at least as far as the Palaeolithic. Additionally, two newly rediscovered flint flakes, previously collected at the site, are described, discussed and illustrated.
Classification: Report.

Bibliograph: MURPHY, Phillip J and Andrew T CHAMBERLAIN. (2025). Additional possible finds of flint implements at Kirkhead Cavern, and the legacy of excavations by the Lancaster Cavern and Mine Research Society. Cave and Karst Science 52(2), (pp58-60).

 

Invertebrate palaeontology of Wait-a-Bit Cave, Jamaica: a brief review (pp61-66) (PDF 5.4MB)     

by Stephen K DONOVAN.
Caves may be important sites for fossil collectors. Specimens younger than the cave may form part of the sediment fill; fossils older than the cave may be identified in the sedimentary rocks forming the walls. Both forms of occurrence are known from the bountiful caves in the Cenozoic limestones of Jamaica. The Wait-a-Bit Cave, parish of Trelawny, is a notable example of the latter. The cave penetrates the Eocene Stettin Formation, Yellow Limestone Group. Echinoids and larger benthic foraminifers are well-known from this site; molluscs await detailed systematic investigation; one notable occurrence of the boring Entobia is the only trace fossil known; and groups such as bryozoans, scleractinian corals and decapod crustaceans are unknown, yet likely to be present. The undescribed elements of the invertebrate fauna of this cave await adequate investigation and would form an ideal study for a postgraduate degree.
Classification: Report.

Bibliograph: DONOVAN, Stephen K. (2025). Invertebrate palaeontology of Wait-a-Bit Cave, Jamaica: a brief review. Cave and Karst Science 52(2), (pp61-66).

 

An interim report on radiocarbon dates obtained on human remains recovered from an Early Neolithic burial site at Kewstoke Road rock shelter, Weston-super-Mare, UK (pp67-70) (PDF 7.4MB)     

by Vince SIMMONDS.
Following the recovery of human remains from a burial site associated with a rock shelter at Kewstoke Road, near Weston-super-Mare, several samples were sent for radiocarbon dating. Four radiocarbon dates have so far been obtained on a representative selection of samples from the site, the obtained dates ranging between 3784–3651 BC and 3501–3351 BC. These radiocarbon dates place the timing of the burials within the Early Neolithic period. Findings from Kewstoke Road are compared with other discoveries of Early Neolithic remains in the caves of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, UK.
Classification: Report.

Bibliograph: SIMMONDS, Vince. (2025). An interim report on radiocarbon dates obtained on human remains recovered from an Early Neolithic burial site at Kewstoke Road rock shelter, Weston-super-Mare, UK. Cave and Karst Science 52(2), (pp67-70).

 

Caves and karst of SW Sarawak, Malaysia – an overview (pp71-82) (PDF 9.4MB)     

by David William GILL, David CLUCAS and Martin LAVERTY.
The caves, if not the exposed outcrops, of spectacular tropical karst, in the Bau–Serian area of western Sarawak have largely been incidental to studies published on the area during the past four decades. This Report collates and updates known information on the history, caves, karst, biodiversity, conservation, protection, threats, tourism potential and references, as compiled by the authors over this period. Despite almost two centuries of increasing knowledge of the area by outside authorities, the karst of SW Sarawak is not well-known. Mapping of most known caves is rudimentary, and it is likely that the known caves constitute only a small proportion of the those that exist. Unless cave exploration and the speleological sciences become established pursuits and accepted foci of study in Sarawak, with dedicated research projects, it seems that quarrying will remain as a serious threat and continue to destroy caves of historical, economic, and environmental importance.
Classification: Report.

Bibliograph: GILL, David William; David CLUCAS and Martin LAVERTY. (2025). Caves and karst of SW Sarawak, Malaysia – an overview. Cave and Karst Science 52(2), (pp71-82).

 

On-line Supplement (PDF) to: Caves and karst of SW Sarawak, Malaysia – an overview (pp S1-S12) (PDF 886KB)     

Table S1 and Table S2: data relating to karst hills and blocks mentioned and discussed in the parent Report.

 

On-line Supplement to: Caves and karst of SW Sarawak, Malaysia – an overview Webpage 

An interactive map with supporting files.

 

The strangeness of Stump Cross Caverns, North Yorkshire, UK – is the answer from below? Possible hypogene speleogenesis in the eastern Yorkshire Dales (pp83-88) (PDF 3.7MB)     

by Phillip J MURPHY.
The Stump Cross Caverns cave system is formed in folded and faulted limestone strata situated in the transition zone between the Askrigg Block high and the Craven Basin. It consists of large tubular passages connected by smaller passages or rifts, and has a distinctive multi-level maze-like plan, unlike that of any other cave in the region. A re-evaluation of the morphology and a review of the previous studies undertaken in and around the cave system suggest a possible origin linked to hypogene karstification.
Classification: Report.

Bibliograph: MURPHY, Phillip J. (2025). The strangeness of Stump Cross Caverns, North Yorkshire, UK – is the answer from below? Possible hypogene speleogenesis in the eastern Yorkshire Dales. Cave and Karst Science 52(2), (pp83-88).

 

Notes for Authors: The positive side of rejection (pp89-90) (PDF 665KB)     

by Stephen K DONOVAN.
Classification: Forum.

 

Hydrological anomalies in Magpie Sough, Ashford, Derbyshire, UK (pp91-92) (PDF 7.7MB)     

by John GUNN.
Classification: Photo Feature.

Bibliograph: GUNN, John. (2025). Hydrological anomalies in Magpie Sough, Ashford, Derbyshire, UK. Cave and Karst Science 52(2), (pp91-92).

 

Research Funds and Grants (page iii) (PDF 620KB)     

 

Back Cover Photos (page iv) (PDF 2.2MB)     

by John GUNN.
A collage comprising seven images from caves in the King Country, North Island, New Zealand.