Three new cricket species and a new subgenus of Endecous Saussure, 1878 (Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae) from caves in northeastern Brazil

Abstract

The genus Endecous (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae), commonly found in caves, comprises more than 20 species, grouped into three subgenera: E. (Endecous), E. (Pedroecous) and E. (Notendecous). In this study, from differences observed mainly in the male genitalia, we describe a new subgenus—Endecous (Ramalhoecous) n. sp.—as well as three new species—E. (R.) infernalis n. sp., E. (E.) zin n. sp. and E. (E.) zaum n. sp.—all of them collected in caves in the Serra do Ramalho region, Northeastern, Brazil. We also briefly discuss some troglomorphisms verified in one of the new species: E. (R.) infernalis n. sp.

The Água Clara Cave System in Northeastern Brazil: The Richest Hotspot of Subterranean Biodiversity in South America

“…The database of the obligate cave fauna was compiled through a combination of published literature [44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] and visits to the ACCS, with 10 visits conducted in total. To determine potentially troglobitic or stygobitic species, we identified 'troglomorphisms' in unknown sampled specimens and consulted with specialist researchers (specialists are acknowledged further on) or referred to previously identified and described species from the literature.…”

“…As an example, among the 31 cave-restricted species observed in the ACCS, only 11 (35.5%) have been formally described (Table 1): Girardia spelaea (Platyhelminthes: Dugesiidae) [52], Spiripockia punctata (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda) [47], G. chagasi (Opiliones, Gonyleptidae) [45], C. troglobius (Amblypygi: Charinidae) [44], Pseudochthonius koinopoliteia (Pseudoscorpiones: Chthoniidae) [55], X. aganju (Isopoda, Styloniscidae) [48], P. carinhanhensis (Isopoda, Styloniscidae) [50], T. luridus (Collembola: Sminthuridae) [51], E. infernalis (Orthoptera: Phalangopsidae) [54], Mesodiplatys falcifer (Dermaptera: Diplatyidae) [49], and Trichomycterus rubbioli (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) [46]. Moreover, of the 11 species, six were only recently discovered during ecological surveys of the caves comprising the ACCS [53].…”

Beyond Expectations: Recent Discovery of New Cave-Restricted Species Elevates the Água Clara Cave System to the Richest Hotspot of Subterranean Biodiversity in the Neotropics

“…These species predominantly occupy terrestrial (22 species) habitats, with a smaller representation of semiaquatic (5 species) and aquatic species (3 species) [1]. Notably, only a fraction of this assemblage (11 species) has been formally described [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. A recent expedition conducted in September 2023 coincided with an exceptionally dry period in the region, allowing access to previously unexplored sections of the system.…”