Micropathus
| Micropathus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Orthoptera |
| Suborder: | Ensifera |
| Family: | Rhaphidophoridae |
| Subfamily: | Macropathinae |
| Genus: | Micropathus Richards, 1964 |
| Species | |
|
See text. | |
Taxonomy[edit]
Micropathus is an Australian genus of cave crickets within the subfamily Macropathinae established by A. M. Richards in 1964.[1][2] There are five species within this genus,[2] all found in Tasmania.[3]
Morphology[edit]
Sexual dimorphism is not evident in the Micropathus genus [4] beyond the presence of ovipositor and associated variation in subgenital plates that occur in females.[1] The genus displays numerous short setae covering all segments of the body. [1] [5]Apical spines and spurs are abundant on the limbs with varying numbers of pairs found on the fore femur, fore tibia, mid femur, mid tibia, and hind tibia. [1][5]
Diet[edit]
Cave crickets M. cavernicola and M. tasmaniensis are omnivorous scavengers, relying on plant and animal tissues such as fungal hyphae and algae that can be obtained around cave entrances. [4] Leaves and twigs from angiosperms are periodically washed into caves providing an additional food source for cave crickets. [4] Observational data of M. tasmaniensis at Cashion Creek Cave and in a confined captive setting indicate that cannibalism occurs within this genus.[4]
Distribution[edit]
All five species in the genus Micropathus are found in caves and rain forest of Tasmania,[3] where they are more common than the endemic Rhaphidophoriae genera Parvotettix, Tasmanoplectron and Cavernotettix.[6] Their distribution may have been in part guided by glaciation during the Pleistocene.[6] They usually appear around the entrance and within 30 metres (98 ft) inside the caves they inhabit.[7] This includes the entrance, twilight, and transition macro habitats within a cave environment. [8]
M. tasmaniensis is primarily located in Southeast Tasmania. [1][9]
M. cavernicola is primarily located in the Northern and Western parts of Tasmania. [1][9]
Genetics[edit]
The genetic sex determination mechanism of M. fuscus is based on the ratio of X chromosomes to autosomes, with females carrying two X chromosomes where males of this species carry one. [10] This is consistent with karyotypes of the majority of species within the subfamily of Macropathinae.[10]
Species[edit]
- Micropathus cavernicola Richards, 1964
- Micropathus fuscus Richards, 1968
- Micropathus kiernani Richards, 1974
- Micropathus montanus Richards, 1971
- Micropathus tasmaniensis Richards, 1964
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f Richards, Aola M. (1964). "The Rhaphidophoridae (Orthoptera) of Australia, 1: Tasmania" (PDF). Pacific Insects. 6: 217–223.
- ^ a b "genus Micropathus Richards, 1964: Orthoptera Species File". orthoptera.speciesfile.org. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ a b Richards, Aola M. (1974). "The Rhaphidophoridae (Orthoptera) of Australia. Part II. New species from the Bass Strait Islands and Tasmania". Pacific Insects. 16 (2–3): 245–260.
- ^ a b c d Richards, A. M. (1968). "Notes on the biology of two species of Rhaphidophoridae (Orthoptera) in Tasmania". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 92: 273–278.
- ^ a b Richards, A. M. (1968). The Rhaphidophoridae (Orthoptera) of Australia. Part 6. Two new species from northern Tasmania.
- ^ a b Richards, Aola M., "The Distribution and Possible Origins of Australian Cave Crickets" (PDF), Proceedings 8th National Conference Australian Speleological Federation
- ^ Richards, Aola M. "The Rhaphidophoridae (Orthoptera) of Australia, Part 6. Two New Species From Northern Tasmania" (PDF). Pacific Insects. 10 (1): 167–176.
- ^ Eberhard, Stefan (2001). "Cave fauna monitoring and management at Ida Bay, Tasmania". Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement. 64 (1): 97. doi:10.18195/issn.0313-122x.64.2001.097-104. ISSN 0313-122X.
- ^ a b Goede, Albert (1972). "Distribution of Tasmanian cave fauna" (PDF). Proceedings 8th National Conference Australian Speleological Federation. Australian Speleological Federation. pp. 88–92.
- ^ a b Mesa, A.; Ferreira, A.; De Mesa, R. S. (1969). "The Chromosomes of Three Australian Species of Gryllacridids (Gryllacridoidea — Rhaphidophoridae — Macropathinae)". Caryologia. 22 (2): 149–159. doi:10.1080/00087114.1969.10796333. ISSN 0008-7114.