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Comparison of the three Carlsbad Ceuthophilus crickets, left to right, C. carlsbadensis, C. conicaudus, and C. longipes. Adult males.
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Cave and camel crickets are widely distributed in caves throughout the world, and in North America they make up the bulk of the biomass in many caves. Most caves do not have large populations of bats, so the guano, eggs, and carcasses of these cavernicolous crickets are dependable sources of fixed energy for troglobites (Mohr and Poulson, 1966; Bar...
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... Carlsbad Cavern there are three different species of Ceuthophilus crickets that represent a range of troglo- morphic adaptations (Fig. 1). The least cave-adapted species is the robust C. carlsbadensis that is common in areas with bat guano. The most cave adapted species, C. longipes, lives in remote areas of Carlsbad where food is very limited. The intermediate species, C. conicaudus, is widely distributed in smaller caves throughout the ...
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... (2005) found aggregative responses to food patches in Ceuthophilus secretus, a widespread species in central Texas, can also lead to intense intraspecific competition (Fig. 10). Helf (2005) used bait patches centered on cave entrances at the four cardinal directions set just outside cave entrances, at 5 m, and at 10 m away to examine the foraging behavior of C. secretus at six caves in Government Canyon State Natural Area (GCSNA) in San Antonio, Texas. During summer and fall months the amount of food consumed ...
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... appendages and gracile appearance are widely regarded as troglomorphic characteristics of cave animals. Elongated appendages, particularly antennae, Figure 10. Intense intraspecific competition among Ceuthophilus secretus at bait patches. ...
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... evasive behavior of H. subterraneus has also been studied. Individual cave crickets were captured and tested in the cave by forcing them to hop to exhaustion (Fig. 11), defined as being unresponsive to touch (Mason, 1989). Crickets with longer hind femurs hopped greater distances both per hop and cumulatively, while the amount of food in the crop reduced the hop length, but not the total distance hopped. In winter 1988, 32 adult crickets with HFL$ 20 mm, hopped an average of 11.5 6 0.6 times (range ...
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... Onyx Cave in Mammoth Cave National Park. Helf set a 90-trap grid centered on the cave entrance with another 90-trap grid set several hundred meters away in similar terrain without a cave entrance. Helf (2003) found 26 P. leucopus individuals within 50 m of the cave entrance whereas only six P. leucopus individuals were found in the control area (Fig. 12). Helf concluded that such high P. leucopus densities, since they are insectivorous, could affect the local community around cave ...
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... single cricket egg represents about 75% of the mass of a N. tellkampfi, making it a huge meal. Based on a weight- loss study in the laboratory ( Griffith and Poulson, 1993), a single cricket egg will sustain a beetle for 2-3 weeks before it has to begin using body fat reserves (Fig. 13). As an example of you are what you eat, the nitrogen and mineral composition of the N. tellkampfi carcass is quite different from levels found in other beetles, and much more similar to that of cave cricket eggs (Studier, ...
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... transects (32.8 ft transects) of nine entrances in Mammoth Cave National Park were censused regularly from 1995-1997 by the authors. All entrances had Nesticus spiders or a similar-sized spider, while only five had populations of the large orb-weaver Meta americana (Fig. 14). At the five entrances with Meta, there was a positive correlation between spider number and re- production, and cave cricket abundance both in transects in a cave and between caves. This finding suggests that cricket prey numbers have a strong influence on success of the spider ...
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... species of plant pathogenic fungi, which they attributed to feeding. One external isolate was a genus of fungus that is an insect pathogen. Presence alone does not indicate activity, but we occasionally observe dead crickets covered in a white mycelium of Isaria densa (Cali, 1897). We refer to them as cricket marshmallows, for obvious reasons (Fig. 15). We are not sure if the fungus kills the cricket or grows on it after the cricket dies, but it is certainly present at the time of death. The fungus is in a race with crickets and other scavengers for the carcass. ...
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... studies of cave cricket guano communities in two small caves in Mammoth Cave National Park show large fluctuations in the numbers of animals censused over 24 years between 1971 and 1994 (Fig. 16). Poulson et al. (1995) pose four hypotheses to explain the observed variation. The first hypothesis is that anthropogenic disturbances by cave tours cause the crickets to move their roosts to other areas, thus preventing renewal of the guano. After considering the frequency, group size, and path Figure 14. Meta americana spider with ...
Citations
... They are considered the earliest diverging lineage of six families in the infraorder Tettigoniidea, one of two major lineages within Ensifera 2,3 . These insects are usually found in caves, burrows, cellars, and under logs, preferring dark and humid environments, and are characterized by their long legs and antennae, lack of wings, and often humped back 4,5 . Unlike most relatives in Ensifera, Rhaphidophoridae have no stridulatory and auditory organs for acoustic communication, but some species are known to produce courtship signals by tapping the abdomen or vibrating the body 6 . ...
Cave crickets (Rhaphidophoridae) are insects of an ancient and wingless lineage within Orthoptera that are distributed worldwide except in Antarctica, and each subfamily has a high level of endemicity. Here, we show the comprehensive phylogeny of cave crickets using multi-gene datasets from mitochondrial and nuclear loci, including all extant subfamilies for the first time. We reveal phylogenetic relationships between subfamilies, including the sister relationship between Anoplophilinae and Gammarotettiginae, based on which we suggest new synapomorphies. Through biogeographic analyses based on divergence time estimations and ancestral range reconstruction, we propose novel hypotheses regarding the biogeographic history of cave crickets. We suggest that Gammarotettiginae in California originated from the Asian lineage when Asia and the Americas were connected by the Bering land bridge, and the opening of the western interior seaway affected the division of Ceuthophilinae from Tropidischiinae in North America. We estimate that Rhaphidophoridae originated at 138 Mya throughout Pangea. We further hypothesize that the loss of wings in Rhaphidophoridae could be the result of their adaptation to low temperatures in the Mesozoic era.
... The general lack of sunlight in caves prevents the survival of plants (with a few exceptions for more illuminated cave sections where some species, particularly Cryptogams plant, can be stable residents) [6]; the lack of primary producers drastically contributes to reducing the quantity of organic matter available to local communities [1]. Subterranean habitats are therefore strongly dependent on the external inputs of organic matter, which are more consistent near the cave entrance and almost absent in the deepest cave sections [7][8][9]. Indeed, around the cave entrance, inputs of organic matter originating from the surface environment can be driven not only by species able to exit and forage on the surface [8,10] but also through atmospheric agents such as wind, gravity, and water [1]. On the contrary, organic matter in the deepest areas mostly depends on animals' inputs and, in lesser amounts, can also be transported by water [7,9,11,12]. ...
... Subterranean habitats are therefore strongly dependent on the external inputs of organic matter, which are more consistent near the cave entrance and almost absent in the deepest cave sections [7][8][9]. Indeed, around the cave entrance, inputs of organic matter originating from the surface environment can be driven not only by species able to exit and forage on the surface [8,10] but also through atmospheric agents such as wind, gravity, and water [1]. On the contrary, organic matter in the deepest areas mostly depends on animals' inputs and, in lesser amounts, can also be transported by water [7,9,11,12]. ...
... Despite probably being less "attractive" compared to the troglobionts mostly living in the deepest cave areas, many species living in the transition zone between the surface and the deep subterranean environments (e.g., cave twilight zone, Mesovoid Shallow Substratum; [3]) may hold a strategic role in the sustainment of the entire subterranean community. Indeed, considering their ability to exit caves, these species often forage in surface environments, where the trophic supply is higher [1,34], and then go back to their subterranean refuges where they enrich the environment with their inputs (e.g., feces, eggs) [8,35], representing important drivers of allochthonous organic matter that can be crucial for sustaining the entire cave community [36][37][38]. ...
Subterranean environments are often characterized by a natural gradient of microclimatic conditions and trophic resources, showing a higher trophic availability and a lower microclimatic stability in the shallowest area (close to the cave entrance), while the opposite occurs in the deepest sections. The shallowest areas of subterranean environments (e.g., the entrance and twilight zone, Mesovoid Shallow Substratum) act as ecotones between the surface habitats and the deep areas, creating a particular habitat which can be exploited by numerous species with different degrees of adaptation to subterranean environments. Species living in these ecotones may hold a key role in sustaining the entire ecosystem, as they are likely one of the major drivers of allochthonous organic matter. Indeed, these species are usually facultative cave-dwellers, meaning that they are able to exit and forage on the surface. Once these species are back inside the cave, they provide the local community with different typologies of organic matter (e.g., feces, eggs), which represent one of the most important sources of organic carbon. Therefore, studying which ecological features may exert significant effects on the abundance of these species may be of great help in understanding the ecosystem dynamics and the functional role of each species. In this study we analyzed the data collected through a year-round monitoring program, aiming to assess the potential effects that both abiotic and biotic features may have on the abundance of three facultative cave species. We focused on seven caves located in Monte Albo (Sardinia, Italy). The cave environments were divided into 3-meter sectors, and within each cave sector, microclimatic and biological data were seasonally recorded. We focused on the following facultative cave species: the spiders Metellina merianae and Tegenaria sp. and the snail Oxychilus oppressus. Different relationships were observed between the ecological features and the abundance of the three species. The two spiders were more abundant in warmer cave sectors closer to the cave entrance, especially the M. merianae. On the other hand, the snail tended to be more abundant farther from the cave entrance and in more illuminated cave sectors, probably because sunlight promotes the abundance of some of its trophic resources (e.g., lichens, vegetation). Furthermore, O. oppressus was the only species whose abundance and cave distribution was significantly affected by seasonality. This study provides useful and novel information to understand the population dynamics of facultative cave species and their role in subterranean ecosystems.
... Cave crickets can provide these additional nutrients because they leave the cave to forage, where they must both compete for resources and are vulnerable to attacks from RIFA. Studies have found that the success of listed cave invertebrates and other nonlisted invertebrates correlates with cave cricket density and minimizing RIFA near cave entrances (Lavoie et al. 2007). ...
Several protected troglobitic invertebrate species are known to occur in caves on Joint Base San Antonio—Camp Bullis, Bexar County, Texas, United States. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) identified red-imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta (hereafter RIFA) (Buren 1972) as the primary threat to cave species’ nutrient sources, cave crickets, Ceuthophilus secretus (Scudder 1894). Per the service’s recommendations, Joint Base San Antonio—Camp Bullis currently implements boiling water mound injections with digging for RIFA control. However, treatment effectiveness is highly variable and largely dependent on the time of day, weather, and personnel diligence. Toxicants have been used for RIFA treatment throughout the world, but concerns exist that traditional applications of toxicant bait around caves might be accessible and inadvertently affect nontarget arthropods, including cricket populations. To mitigate this accessibility, physically limiting access to the toxicant from crickets may be an option. Our objectives were to (i) compare and evaluate the effectiveness of Amdro (Hydramethylnon) and Advion (Indoxacarb) granular baits housed in Ants-No-More Bait Stations (Kness MFG. Inc., Albia, IA) and (ii) evaluate the distance of effectiveness of each bait within a bait station. Ultimately, we observed a 98% reduction in RIFA mound abundance from both baits. Additionally, RIFA mounds within 10 m of the containerized toxicant were reduced by 70%. Our pilot study suggested that Ants-No-More Bait Stations are an effective way to reduce RIFA mounds by 70% if placed 10 m from each other. In practice, this could include bait stations completely covering a particular distance to a cave entrance or fewer bait stations in a ring barrier at a single radial distance to a cave entrance. Containerized toxicants may be a cost-effective and safe RIFA control option around protected cave environments, but further studies are needed to determine potential effects on nontarget arthropods, optimal bait station configuration, and potential effects of biomagnification.
... Therefore, to adapt to the cave environment, true cave animals undergo visual degradation, nonvisual receptor evolution, pigment degradation, cold specialization, low metabolic rate, life cycle evolution toward K-selection characteristics, appendage specialization, sensory organ specialization, and large and few eggs production (Lavoie et al., 2007;Strecker et al., 2004;Wilkens, 2001;Wilkens et al., 2000). This highly selective environment can easily induce genetic changes in species. ...
Grylloprimevala jilina is a true cave insect living in the dark areas of caves. It has the characteristics of sparse skin pigmentation, degeneration of the compound eyes and monocular eyes, and obvious preference for high‐humidity and low‐temperature environments. Given the highly specialized, rare, and limited distribution, G. jilina is considered an endangered species and also a first‐level national protected insect in China. Cave creatures often undergo dramatic morphological changes in their sensory systems to adapt to the cave environment. Most previous studies mainly focused on morphological adaptive changes in cave insects, and only a few studied the changes at the gene level. In this study, we performed transcriptome analysis of G. jilina and constructed phylogenetic trees of genes that are related to environmental adaptation, including chemosensory, visual‐related, reproduction‐related, temperature adaptation‐related, and winged morph differentiation‐related genes. Besides, the expression levels of environmental adaption‐related genes in different tissues, including antennae, heads, thoraxes, abdomens, legs, and tails, were analyzed. The results showed the loss of chemosensory genes and vision‐related genes, the conservation of reproduction‐related genes and temperature adaptation‐related genes, and the conservation of wing‐related genes despite the loss of wings, and the results were consistent with other cave insects. The identification and expression study of genes possibly related to the environmental adaptability in G. jilina provided basic data for the protection of this endangered species and increased knowledge about insect evolution in general.
... This result confirms a tendency of species to widen their trophic niche during their colonization of subterranean environments. Troglophiles are not strictly bounded to the subterranean environment and are still able to exit and forage on the surface (Lavoie et al. 2007, Lunghi et al. 2018c. During the periods in which the external environmental conditions prevent them from leaving the subterranean habitat (e.g. when the external climate is too harsh), they must adapt to exploit the few available food resources (Langecker et al. 1996, Fenolio et al. 2006. ...
... Having a wider trophic niche is obviously an advantage, and this feature is probably evolved and maintained by troglophiles as long as specific physiological changes (e.g. lower thermal tolerance) prevent them from exploiting the external foraging sites (Lavoie et al. 2007, Pallarées et al. 2020. The significant effect of the types of environments (aquatic vs. terrestrial) observed on three types of behavioural traits (diet, social interactions and anti-predator behaviours) was unexpected and deserves further investigation. ...
Specialized subterranean species are iconic examples of convergent evolution driven by environmental constraints, representing an ideal model system for eco-evolutionary studies. However, scientific research on the behavioural adaptations of subterranean organisms has lagged and is biased mostly towards a few model species. Through a systematic literature review, we aimed to assess quantitatively whether a congruent evolution of behavioural traits among subterranean species exists. We considered four types of behaviours (exploratory, feeding, social and anti-predator) and tested predictions about their occurrence among species with different degrees of adaptation to subterranean environments. We argue that these behaviours constitute the earliest adaptations to three main ecological factors characterizing subterranean habitats, namely the constant darkness, the limited food resources and the reduced predator pressure. Darkness selects for individuals that rely on non-visual cues to explore their surroundings, track food resources and locate potential sexual partners. The reduced availability of food promotes high foraging plasticity and deters species from adopting aggressive behaviours towards conspecifics. The reduced predator pressure allows species to abandon specific anti-predator behaviours and permits safer execution of their biological activities. Our analyses show that these four behaviours are likely to represent the result of an early convergent adaptation to the subterranean realm.
... 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., 1996Hubbel & Norton, 1978;Lavoie et al., 2007;Richards, 1962Richards, , 1968bRichards, , 1970. All of these are significantly different from other families and suggest that they may have played a crucial role in the evolution of Orthoptera. ...
Diestramimini is one of the two tribes of Aemodogryllinae and is mainly distributed in southern China and Southeast Asia. The intergeneric phylogenetic relationship and historical biogeography of this tribe remain unclear. Here, we present the first phylogenetic and biogeographical analyses of Diestramimini based on three mitochondrial ( COI , 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) and two nuclear (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) gene fragments. The molecular phylogenetic inference strongly supports the monophyly of Diestramimini and recovers the sister‐group relationship between Diestramima + Tamdaotettix and Arboramima + Gigantettix . A new genus, Bidiestramima Zhu & Shi gen. n., is established and recovered as sister to all the remaining genera of Diestramimini. Moreover, a new species Bidiestramima hekouensis Zhu & Shi gen. et sp. n. is described. Mimadiestra is recovered as paraphyletic, and thus, we propose two new combinations based on the combination of morphological and molecular evidence: Bidiestramima dicha comb. n. and Tamdaotettix ( Laotettix ) gracilus comb. n. Divergence time estimation and reconstruction of ancestral areas indicate that Diestramimini in China may have originated from Southern Yunnan and Guangxi during the mid‐Oligocene and had two separate evolutionary routes. The diversification of Diestramimini has been driven by several dispersal and vicariance events since the Miocene, linked to the uplift of the Himalaya–Tibetan Plateau, the formation of the monsoon and climate fluctuations.
... Caves are a kind of relatively independent habitats, and the overall environmental characteristics are depleted nutrients, minimal changes in temperature and humidity, and weak light or darkness (Poulson and White 1969;Prous et al. 2004;Ran and Yang 2015). As a dominant species of the cave biodiversity, cave crickets play an important role in maintaining the stability of the cave ecosystem (Lavoie et al. 2007). In Southern China, the genus Tachycines Adelung, 1902 is a major component of cave crickets (Feng et al. 2020;Li et al. 2021;Cigliano et al. 2022). ...
... Thermoreception and hygroreception are very important for the cave species T. plumiopedella, which need to cope with moisture loss by evaporation, and rely on the temperature of the environment as insect populations are poikilotherms (Lavoie et al. 2007;Rebora et al. 2019). Sco.1 and Sco.2 are responsible for thermoreception and hygroreception. ...
Morphological sexual dimorphism occurs in most insect species. Caves are relatively independent habitats with high levels of endemic insect species. The cave crickets are one of the most common insects in many caves and play an important role in the nutrient cycling of cave ecosystems. Sexual difference in sensilla has rarely been studied in cave crickets. We explore the types, number, and distribution of sensilla on the labial palps of both sexes of the cave cricket Tachycines plumiopedella Li, Feng & Luo, 2021 for the first time. Seven sensilla types were recorded on the labial palps in both sexes, including sensilla chaetica (Sc. 1–2), sensilla trichodea (St. 1–3), sensilla palmatum (Sp), Böhm bristles (Bb), sensilla campaniformia (Sca), sensilla basiconica (Sb. 1–3), and sensilla coeloconica (Sco. 1–2). The sensilla are mostly situated on the third palpomere of the labial palps, particularly on its middle to end part. Of sensilla on the labial palps, types and distribution were similar in males and females, but different in length, diameter, and number. The potential functional roles of sensilla were discussed.
... In particular, the genus Endecous (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae) could be a good model group for large-scale studies as they present species occurring in both epigean and hypogean environments (Bolfarini & Bichuette 2015, Castro-Souza et al. 2020a, 2020b, Souza-Dias et al. 2014). In addition, resources derived from cave crickets, such as dung, bodies, carcases and eggs, can directly be consumed by several other cave invertebrate species, thus contributing to the structuring of subterranean communities (Lavoie et al. 2007, Mammola et al. 2019a, Taylor 2003, Taylor et al. 2005. This shows their biological relevance as a key group for ecological and evolutionary studies in caves (Bento et al. 2021, Fagan et al. 2007, Lavoie et al. 2007). ...
... In addition, resources derived from cave crickets, such as dung, bodies, carcases and eggs, can directly be consumed by several other cave invertebrate species, thus contributing to the structuring of subterranean communities (Lavoie et al. 2007, Mammola et al. 2019a, Taylor 2003, Taylor et al. 2005. This shows their biological relevance as a key group for ecological and evolutionary studies in caves (Bento et al. 2021, Fagan et al. 2007, Lavoie et al. 2007). The maintenance of key groups in caves is essential for subterranean communities' conservation and a better understanding of the temporal dynamics in these environments. ...
... Considering that caves frequently present high moisture content and climatic stability (Mejía-Ortíz et al. 2021, Moldovan et al. 2018, Sánchez-Fernández et al. 2018, the frequent observations of the genus associated with climatically stable regions within caves also coincide to what is exposed by the models. Furthermore, cave crickets may have sensitivity to desiccation (Lavoie et al. 2007) what favours their association to hypogean environments. ...
Using species distribution modelling (SDMs) techniques, we predicted the biogeographic history of crickets commonly found in Neotropical caves as a way to detect potential long-term environmental refuges in South America. Our models were built based on a thorough investigation of existing database regarding the genus Endecous Saussure, 1878 (Ensifera: Phalangopsidae) occurrences. The predictions of their distribution were obtained for two paleoclimate scenarios (LGM — 21 ka and Mid-Holocene — 6 ka), the current climate scenario (0 ka) and one future global warming climate scenario (RCP8.5, 2080–2100). Our findings suggest that in the past, the potential distribution of the crickets was wider, with potential forest corridors connecting different karst areas with caves within their occupancy area. The future prediction indicates a drastic reduction in their spatial distribution with an increased potential for isolation in subterranean ecosystems. Atlantic humid forest patches and caves represent the main environmental refuges for these crickets. Considering the ongoing impacts on surface environments and future climate change, the conservation of caves and karst landscapes has become one of the main strategies for the maintenance of these crickets and all the correlated subterranean communities.
... The karst area in southwestern China, the largest karst area in the world, is one of the 25 global biodiversity hotspots (Luo et al., 2016). The karst cave is characterized by darkness, moistness, constant temperature, poor air circulation, a high concentration of carbon dioxide, a lack of food, and low biomass (Lavoie et al., 2007). Multiple features of insect adaptations to cave environments include morphological adaptations (loss of vision and body color changes), physiological adaptations (low metabolic rate and CO 2 tolerance), and behavioral adaptations (loss of circadian rhythm and variations in mating behavior) (Howarth and Moldovan, 2018). ...
The gut microbiota is essential for the nutrition, growth, and adaptation of the host. Diestrammena japanica, a scavenger that provides energy to the cave ecosystem, is a keystone species in the karst cave in China. It inhabits every region of the cave, regardless of the amount of light. However, its morphology is dependent on the intensity of light. Whether the gut bacteria reflect its adaptation to the cave environment remains unknown. In this research, D. japanica was collected from the light region, weak light region, and dark region of three karst caves. The gut bacterial features of these individuals, including composition, diversity, potential metabolism function, and the co-occurrence network of their gut microbiota, were investigated based on 16S rRNA gene deep sequencing assay. The residues of amino acids in the ingluvies were also evaluated. In addition, we explored the contribution of gut bacteria to the cave adaptation of D. japanica from three various light zones. Findings showed that gut bacteria were made up of 245 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from nine phyla, with Firmicutes being the most common phylum. Although the composition and diversity of the gut bacterial community of D. japanica were not significantly different among the three light regions, bacterial groups may serve different functions for D. japanica in differing light strengths. D. japanica has a lower rate of metabolism in cave habitats than in light regions. We infer that the majority of gut bacteria are likely engaged in nutrition and supplied D. japanica with essential amino acids. In addition, gut bacteria may play a role in adapting D. japanica’s body size. Unveiling the features of the gut bacterial community of D. japanica would shed light on exploring the roles of gut bacteria in adapting hosts to karst cave environments.
... Several previous studies had examined the sex ratio of different cave cricket species, and the results were highly varied. Lavoie et al. (2007) reported that a cave cricket species from the genus Hadenoecus had significantly more females than males, while Bernardini & Di Russo (2004) said a fair sex ratio (1:1) in the genus Dolichopoda. Up to the present, there is no specific information about the sex ratio of the genus Rhaphidophora. ...
... Thus, the accumulative RA from all zones also indicated a similar pattern. This result is in accordance with Lavoie et al. (2007), which reported the predominance of adult to juvenile. However, the comparison between sub-adult and adult was inconsistent with Carchini et al. (1994), that showed the domination of adult to sub-adult. ...
... But, cave crickets have elongated appendages, particularly antennae, which they use as a sensory organ for orientation (Culver & Pipan 2009). In addition, they also have elongated legs that may be used for walking on irregular surfaces in the darkness (Lavoie et al. 2007). High humidity is stressful for most surface animals, but it brings crucial benefits to cave cricket's life. ...
Cave crickets are considered as a keystone species that can be used as a cave ecosystem bioindicator. Developing caves as tourism has considerable potential to disturb cave cricket populations. This study aimed to investigate cave cricket population structure and their habitat preference in Sanghyang Kenit cave one year after it developed into a show cave. Data were collected through standardized visual searching in three cave zones: entrance, twilight, and dark. Besides cave crickets, other macroarthropods discovered in each zone were also recorded. Abiotic parameters of habitat comprised air and soil temperatures, RH, soil moisture, soil pH, and light intensity were measured. Data were analyzed to show cave crickets abundance, density, sex ratio, and age structure. Statistical analysis comprising Kruskal Wallis, non-metric multidimensional scaling, and correlation tests were performed. The cave cricket population in Sanghyang Kenit belonged to a single species, Rhaphidophora sp. The population was around 78-108 individuals and distributed in all cave zones. The abundance and density in twilight and dark zones were significantly higher than in the entrance. The number of males outperformed females with a 2.16 ratio. Besides, the population was dominated by the sub-adult class. Environmental parameters of twilight and dark zones tended to be similar to one another compared to the entrance. Cave crickets preferred habitats with dark, humid, and acidic soil pH. Heteropoda sp. and Catagaeus sp. were considered potential predators. This study implies the importance of protecting cave crickets in Sanghyang Kenit.
