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

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.

A new troglophilic species of Erebonyx (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae) from Brazilian caves.

The genus Erebonyx was proposed to accommodate a single troglobitic species from northeastern Brazil. A second cricket belonging to this genus is herein described, but although it was also found in caves, it does not bear any troglomorphic traits, suggesting it is a troglophilic species. The new species differs from the other species on the genus in the phallic sclerites, presence of developed eyes (with ommatidia), pigmented integument, and the presence of stridulatory file on the tegmina. In addition, we present the description of the external morphology, together with the staining and description of tegmina. Finally, we present a brief discussion regarding its habitat, distribution and possible conservation actions for the species.

Singing crickets from Brazil (Orthoptera: Gryllidea), an illustrated checklist with access to the sounds produced.

The knowledge of bioacoustics of the Neotropical crickets (Orthoptera, Gryllidea) is incipient, despite the great species diversity in the region. There are few cricket song-files deposited in the major World Sound Libraries, compared to other groups such as birds and amphibians. In order to contribute to the knowledge of the bioacoustics of Brazilian crickets, we organize, analyze and make available at Fonoteca Neotropical Jacques Vielliard (FNJV) and Orthoptera Species File (OSF) our bank of cricket songs. We deposited 876 cricket's song files in the FNJV, belonging to 31 species and 47 sonotypes. The songs were field/lab recorded, and all individuals were collected to improve species/sonotypes taxonomic determination accuracy. We present photos (in vivo) of most recorded crickets, as well as calling song spectrograms to facilitate the species/sonotype recognition. Samples of the songs can be found online on the FNJV website, using the codes available in this work, as well as on the OSF, linked to the species name. As a result, we advance the knowledge of the songs of crickets and the current perspective of the Brazilian cricket bioacoustics. We encourage researchers to share with the public their collections of their cricket file songs both in the FNJV and the OSF.

The first record of Adelosgryllus Mesa amp; Zefa, 2004 (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae) from caves, with the description of a new species from Brazil.

The first species for the genus Adelosgryllus Mesa Zefa, 2004 recorded in caves is herein described. We used the morphology of the phallic complex as the main criteria to differentiate this species from the congeneric ones. In addition, we discussed the natural history of the new species, some aspects of its association to the cave habitats, and the intraspecific variation of the right tegmen observed in two populations of this new species.

New troglobitic and troglophilic syntopic species of Endecous (Orthoptera, Grylloidea, Phalangopsidae) from a Brazilian cave: a case of sympatric speciation?

Crickets of the genus Endecous (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae) are frequently found in caves, in some cases presenting strictly subterranean lifestyle. In addition to the morphological diagnostic characters of the group, bioacoustic and karyotype, also help on delimiting species. Here, we describe two new sympatric species of this genus, which occur in the largest cave of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, using the morphology of phallic complex, the courtship song and karyotype. Moreover, we discuss the criteria used, the troglomorphisms for this genus, as well as hypothesis on the speciation process involving these species.

Five new species of Phalangopsis Serville, 1831 (Orthoptera: Phalangopsidae) from Brazilian caves in the Amazon Forest.

The current work presents the description of five new cricket species for the genus Phalangopsis Serville, 1831 found in Brazilian caves in the Amazonas, Mato Grosso and Pará states, northern Brazil. The morphology of the phallic complex was used as the main criterion for distinguishing the species. In addition, we present data on the natural history and ecology of the new species as well as hypothesis about the variations of tegmina size in relation to the subterranean lifestyle for the genus. Finally, we provide a pictorial key based on adult males for the Phalangopsis species.

Description and ecology of a new species of the cricket genus Endecous (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae) in the speleological province of Arcos-Pains-Doresópolis, Southeastern Brazil.

A new cricket species of the genus Endecous Saussure, 1878 is described in the present work found in the speleological province of Arcos-Pains-Doresópolis, which belongs to the limestone group Bambuí, Brazil. Moreover, the spatial distribution of the new species was related to the species Eidmanacris sp., which co-occurs with the former in several caves. Relationships between species abundance and horizontal projection, number of entrances and environmental stability of the caves where these species coexist were evaluated. The presence of bilateral symmetry in individuals of Endecous painensis n. sp. perhaps due to environmental stress caused by mining activities surrounding the cave was also tested. Endecous crickets are commonly observed in the caves, for which the preference by distinct microhabitats and generalist strategies may be key factors explaining colonization and segregation in relation to other cricket species in subterranean habitats. The generalist lifestyle of the here described species may attenuate the effects environmental stresses over development.