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Micropathus
Genus of crickets From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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]
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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]
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Diet
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]
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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
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