Colonization of different biomes drove the diversification of the Neotropical Eidmanacris crickets (Insecta: Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae)

Living in the darkness: a new cave cricket species of the genus Endecous Saussure (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from Serra da Bodoquena in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil

We describe a new species of the genus Endecous Saussure (1878), recorded at the Dente de Cão and Urubu Rei caves, which are located in the Bodoquena municipality, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Species of Endecous are the most common of crickets in Brazilian hypogean environments. Endecous comprises 24 species described and is widely distributed throughout South America, occurring also in Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay. We also present a brief discussion about the presence of the genus in subterranean environments and a distribution map of Endecous troglobitic species through the regions of the Brazilian karst.

Persisting while changing over time: modelling the historical biogeographic of cave crickets (Orthoptera, Grylloidea) in Neotropics

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.

A new species of Bambuina de Mello, Horta & Bolfarini, 2013 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae: Luzarinae) from the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, Brazil

In this study, we describe the second species of the Brazilian genus Bambuina de Mello, Horta & Bolfarini, 2013. Bambuina zikani n. sp. is a cavicolous cricket, found in crevices and natural cavities in the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We also highlight the glandular condition of the males’ metanotum and forewings of Bambuina species.  

The fifth family of the true crickets (Insecta: Orthoptera: Ensifera: Grylloidea), Oecanthidae defin. nov.: phylogenetic relationships and divergence times

Crickets are frequently used as a model in several areas of science, including acoustic communication, behaviour and neurobiology. However, only a few of these studies are placed in an evolutionary framework due to the limited number of phylogenetic hypotheses for true crickets. We present a phylogenetic hypothesis for a newly defined family of crickets, Oecanthidae defin. nov., sister-group of Gryllidae defin. nov. The phylogenetic analyses are based on molecular and morphological data under likelihood and parsimony criteria and molecular data for divergence-times estimation (Bayesian inference). We used 107 terminals from all biogeographic regions and six fossils for the time calibration of the tree. All analyses resulted in Oecanthidae with four subfamilies: Euscyrtinae, Oecanthinae defin. nov., Podoscirtinae defin. nov. and Tafaliscinae defin. nov. Based on our results, we revise the definition and internal classifications of the subfamilies, supertribes and tribes. A new tribe, Phyllogryllini trib. nov. is described. We also update their diagnoses, list the genera of the tribes and list their apomorphies. We provide an identification key for all suprageneric taxa of Oecanthidae, plus all genera of Tafaliscinae. Finally, we discuss the phylogenetic relationships of Oecanthidae, their divergence times, habitat diversity and the importance of ovipositor variation in this clade.

Cuticular Structures in Micropterous Crickets (Orthoptera, Gryllidae, Petaloptilini, Gryllomorphini)

Orthoptera is a very diverse group that has colonized practically all terrestrial ecosystems on the planet. They have adapted to live in the endogenous environment as well as in caves so that some species exhibit troglomorphic characteristics. This group has been extensively studied due to its economic and social importance; however, many basic morphological and biological questions remain to be solved. In this study, a comparative morphological study by scanning electron microscopy of different structures of eight species of micropteran crickets of the tribes Gryllomorphini and Petaloptilini, whose tegmina had lost their flight and song functionality was carried out. Special emphasis was placed on the tegmina and their possible relationship to reproductive functions. In addition, to assess troglomorphism in the genus Petaloptila, the biometric parameters of six other species have been considered. Actualization of the lifestyle of the studied species has also been carried out. The results show structures not previously described in this group (gland openings, setae, pores, or group of campaniform sensilla). Structures not previously described in this group have been detected, and tegmina (glandular openings and devoured tegmina) seem to confer a role in reproduction. Troglomorphisms are only observed in species of the subgenus Zapetaloptila. Statistically, significant differences have been found in characters such as cephalic elongation, ocular reduction, greater length of appendages, and depigmentation.