Micropathus
Scientific classification Edit this 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

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

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

Cave crickets M. cavernicola and M. tasmaniensis are omnivorous scavenger, 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

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

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

  • Micropathus cavernicola Richards, 1964
  • Micropathus fuscus Richards, 1968
  • Micropathus kiernani Richards, 1974
  • Micropathus montanus Richards, 1971
  • Micropathus tasmaniensis Richards, 1964

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Richards, Aola M. (1964). "The Rhaphidophoridae (Orthoptera) of Australia, 1:Tasmania" (PDF). Pacific Insects. 6: 217–223.
  2. 1 2 "genus Micropathus Richards, 1964: Orthoptera Species File". orthoptera.speciesfile.org. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  3. 1 2 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.
  4. 1 2 3 4 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.
  5. 1 2 Richards, A. M. (1968). The Rhaphidophoridae (Orthoptera) of Australia. Part 6. Two new species from northern Tasmania.
  6. 1 2 Richards, Aola M., "The Distribution and Possible Origins of Australian Cave Crickets" (PDF), Proceedings 8th National Conference Australian Speleological Federation
  7. ↑ Richards, Aola M. "The Rhaphidophoridae (Orthoptera) of Australia,Part 6. Two New Species From Northern Tasmania" (PDF). Pacific Insects. 10 (1): 167–176.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. 1 2 Goede, Albert (1972). "Distribution of Tasmanian cave fauna" (PDF). Proceedings 8th National Conference Australian Speleological Federation. Australian Speleological Federation. pp. 88–92.
  10. 1 2 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.
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