New records and ecological observations on Greek cave crickets (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae)

Abstract

We record Dolichopoda lustriae Rampini & Di Russo, 2008 (Orthoptera: Ensifera: Rhaphidophoridae) from the Pindus mountain range in Epirus, Greece, more than 200 km to the north of the type locality in Aetolia-Acarnania. We show that this species has an unusually broad distribution for a Balkan cave cricket, and can also live independently from caves, instead inhabiting the crevices of large rock formations. We found D. lustriae to be sympatric with Troglophilus zorae Karaman & Pavićević, 2011, whose presence in Greece is recorded for the first time in this study. We provide high quality photographs of the habitus and genitalia of D. lustriae, and re-describe its morphology. Detailed information about the habitat, behaviour of the D. lustriae is also provided, and possible measures for its conservation are suggested.

Insights into the evolutionary history of Diestramimini cave crickets (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae)

“…Cave crickets are unique in Orthoptera because they are wingless and do not have tibial tympana or a stridulatory organ (Davranoglou et al, 2021; Leubner et al, 2016; Song et al, 2020). On one hand, they are nocturnal insects and prefer dark moist habitats.…”

“…Most of them usually hide under leaves, stones, loose barks or in holes on soil slope during the day and emerge for feeding or mating at night (Hegg et al, 2022; Richards, 1961). The others inhabit in the natural caves with cave‐adapted characteristics, such as reduced eyes, poor pigmentation, elongated legs and antennae (Davranoglou et al, 2021; Richards, 1968a; Taylan et al, 2020; Zhu et al, 2020). On the other hand, they are omnivorous–saprophagous (Chopard, 1938), feeding on fungi, small insects, bat droppings, vegetable matter and arthropod remains (Avesani et al, 2009; Carchini et al, 1991; Di Russo et al, 1996, 2014; Hubbel & Norton, 1978; Lavoie et al, 2007; Richards, 1962, 1968b, 1970).…”