Micropathus

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