Micropathus | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Orthoptera |
Suborder: | Ensifera |
Family: | Rhaphidophoridae |
Subfamily: | Macropathinae |
Genus: |
Micropathus Richards, 1964 |
Species | |
See text. |
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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. |
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]