identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
03AA4C0DFFB6FFEFFDEEFAF7C302012E.text	03AA4C0DFFB6FFEFFDEEFAF7C302012E.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Micropathus Richards 1964	<div><p>Genus Micropathus Richards, 1964</p><p>Micropathus Richards, 1964: 217–218 .</p><p>Type species</p><p>Micropathus tasmaniensis Richards, 1964 .</p><p>Etymology</p><p>An apparent reference to Macropathus Walker, 1869, the namesake of ‘Macropathinae’, but not explained by either Walker or Richards. Potential origins for the suffix ‘-pathus’ include the Ancient Greek ‘páthos’ (strong feeling) or the Romance ‘pata’ (); these terms may have been in reference to the elongated legs or antennae characteristic of Rhaphidophoridae for sensing in the dark. However, as Micropathus and Macropathus have similar morphology in this regard, it is unclear which structure(s) Richards was alluding to when naming the genus. The grammatical gender of the genus is masculine.</p><p>Description</p><p>Micropathus comprises medium-sized crickets with a body length of up to 20 mm. Individuals range from mid to dark brown and the thoracic nota are generally mid brown and mottled with ochreous brown patterning (e.g.,). The fore coxae bear a single anterolateral spine; all other coxae are unarmed. The fore and middle femora consistently bear one apical spine each on the prolateral and retrolateral surface, whereas in the hind femora this character is absent prolaterally and variably present retrolaterally. The tibiae have two pairs of apical spines, one each on the superior and inferior surfaces; on the hind tibiae, there are two additional pairs of small, subapical spines situated within each primary apical pair (subapical spines).</p><p>Linear spines of the fore and middle legs are present as an average of four pairs on the ventral surface of the tibiae, with one member of each pair facing prolaterally and the other retrolaterally. The number of dorsal linear spines on the hind legs varies by species and life stage. However, in most species the ventral surface of the hind femora is unarmed prolaterally, and linear spines are variably present (0–5) retrolaterally. The genus can be split into two broad groups on this basis: species with ventral linear spines variably present on the retrolateral surface of the hind femora ( M. montanus, M. cavernicolus, M. zubat Beasley-Hall sp. nov., and M. fuscus) vs species always lacking those the surface is completely unarmed; ( M. tasmaniensis, M. kiernani, and M. ditto Beasley-Hall sp. nov.). These differences are reflected in the genus being split into two major phylogenetic clades as in Fig. 1a. The hind tibiae generally bear 25– linear spines on either side of the dorsal surface, and the first and second tarsal segments between 0–4 on either side of the dorsal surface.</p><p>Parvotettix Richards, 1968 and Tasmanoplectron Richards, 1971 are the two other genera described from Tasmania proper (i.e., excluding the islands of the Bass Strait) and Micropathus can be differentiated from them relatively easily based on leg spination. In Parvotettix, the fore and middle legs are almost without spines: apical spines are restricted to the tibiae only (vs the tibiae and femora in Micropathus) and linear spines only occur on the dorsal surface of the hind tibia, where they are few but extremely long and visible from a distance with the naked eye. Individuals of Parvotettix tend to rest on substrate with their legs folded close to the body rather than splayed wide as in Micropathus (Richards 1970) . Parvotettix is also much smaller and more strongly pigmented compared to Micropathus, with most species appearing dark brown to black (Richards 1968, 1987). Similarly, Tasmanoplectron bears linear spines on both the dorsal as well as ventral surfaces of the middle tibia; this character only occurs on the ventral surface in all other Australian Rhaphidophoridae, including Micropathus (Richards 1971a) . Tasmanoplectron also has teeth on both the ventral and lateral surfaces of the ovipositor, whereas in all other genera these are restricted to the ventral valves only.</p><p>Finally, Micropathus has several synapomorphies helpful in distinguishing it from all other Australian Rhaphidophoridae . Firstly, the distal margin of the male suranal plate is curved ventrally and is sclerotised and dark on the underside, with this thickening of the cuticle often produced into a row of tubercles or spines. While similar curvature also occurs in Tasmanian and New Zealand Macropathinae, such projections are unique to Micropathus . Secondly, the female subgenital plate is split medially at the distal margin into two distinctive, spiked lobes (Fig. 2), which in adults may be sclerotised at the apex or in their entirety (see Remarks). Most other Australian genera also bear these lobes, but they occur in a trilobed configuration when present and the structures are generally wide, sloping, and less clearly demarcated from the subgenital plate.</p><p>Remarks</p><p>Richards confused ‘ prolateral ’ and ‘ retrolateral ’ in her original descriptions of Micropathus, necessitating the redescriptions presented here. She used these terms to refer to the positioning of spines facing the anterior (prolateral) or posterior (retrolateral) ends of the body, leading to the incorrect reporting of spine counts helpful for distinguishing species. Richards also apparently overlooked intraspecific variation in several characters related to the legs and terminalia. note that Richards referred to the distinctive lobes projecting from the distal margin of the female subgenital plate as sclerotised (Fig. 1). While we agree that the structures do appear to be markedly sclerotised in some specimens – e.g., M. montanus and M. zubat Beasley-Hall sp. nov. – we consider it possible that for species with more delicate lobes, the structures are darkened because of tissue damage. In Rhaphidophoridae, the ventral female subgenital plate makes contact with the dorsal male suranal plate during copulation and the structures are thought to stabilise mating pairs (Stritih &amp; Čokl 2012). We have exmined several species of Micropathus with lobes with darkened, delicate, and jagged apices only seen in adults, whereas the structures are rounded and uniform in younger females. Thus, we consider this could result from breakage in life and may not reflect interspecific variation.</p><p>Key to the species of Micropathus Richards, 1964</p><p>1. Ventral surface of hind femur with linear spines. Male subgenital plate rounded, often not readily distinguishable from preceding sternite 9 (e.g., Fig. 9c) .................................................................. 2</p><p>– Ventral surface of hind femur without linear spines. Male subgenital plate bulbous, pronounced from preceding sternite 9 (e.g., Figs 6c, 8c) .............................................................................................. 5</p><p>2. Body colouration predominantly dark brown with mid brown patterning (Fig. 7). Hind femur with ventral linear spines prolaterally. Female subgenital plate concave distolaterally, bearing two long, distomedial lobes (Fig. 2d). Male suranal plate with straight proximal margin, notched distally (Fig. 2d) ..................................................................................................... M. fuscus Richards, 1968</p><p>– Body colouration mid brown (e.g., Fig. 5). Hind femur with ventral linear spines retrolaterally only ................................................................................................................................................... 3</p><p>3. Female subgenital plate strongly concave laterally and with horn-like projections at distolateral corners (Fig. 2a). Proximal margin of male suranal plate forming three rounded lobes margin rounded ................................................................................................ M. montanus Richards, 1971</p><p>– Female subgenital plate straight to convex laterally, convex distolaterally (Fig. 2b–c) ................... 4</p><p>4. Distolateral portion of female subgenital plate with broadly square, sclerotised corners; two sclerotised lobes at distal margin separated by wide medial notch (Figs 2c, 9e). Proximal margin of male suranal plate forming three rounded lobes; distal margin with faint medial notch (Fig. 2c, 9b) ............................................................................................................ M. zubat Beasley-Hall sp. nov.</p><p>– Distolateral portion of female subgenital plate rounded; two lobes originating from medial surface of plate and separated by a furrow; distal margin of plate with a deep but narrow medial notch (Figs 2b, 4b). Male suranal plate oval-shaped and rounded at proximal and distal margins (Fig. 2b) ........ .......................................................................................................... M. cavernicolus Richards, 1964</p><p>5. Lobes originating from medial surface of female subgenital plate, measuring at least half length of plate (Figs 2g, 6e). Male suranal plate with rounded proximal margin and a moderate medial notch on distal margin (Figs 2d, 6b). Male subgenital plate pale and with a prominent triangular apex (Fig. 6c) ............................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................. M. ditto Beasley-Hall sp. nov.</p><p>– Lobes originating from distal margin of female subgenital plate, measuring less than half length of plate ................................................................................................................................................... 6</p><p>6. Body colouration mid brown. Lobes on female subgenital plate measuring around a quarter length of plate and separated at their bases by a medial furrow (Figs 2e, 8e). Distal margin of male suranal plate uninterrupted or with a faint medial notch (Fig.). Male subgenital plate uniform in colour to preceding sternite and with a rounded, poorly pronounced apex (Fig. 8c) ........................................ ........................................................................................................ M. tasmaniensis Richards, 1964</p><p>_ Body colouration uniformly dark brown. Distal margin of male suranal plate uninterrupted (Fig. 2f). Lobes on female subgenital plate short, measuring around an eighth length of plate, and touching at their bases (Fig. 2f). Female subgenital plate rounded laterally and distally ..................................... ................................................................................................................. M. kiernani Richards, 1974</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03AA4C0DFFB6FFEFFDEEFAF7C302012E	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Beasley-Hall, P. G.;Eberhard, S. M.	Beasley-Hall, P. G., Eberhard, S. M. (2025): Diversity and distribution of cave crickets in the genus Micropathus Walker, 1869, threatened short-range endemics from Tasmanian wet forest (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1012: 239-267, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.1012.3053, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3053/13657
03AA4C0DFFB1FFE3FD89FAC7C78C026A.text	03AA4C0DFFB1FFE3FD89FAC7C78C026A.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Micropathus cavernicolus Richards 1964	<div><p>Micropathus cavernicolus Richards, 1964</p><p>Figs 1–4, Table 1</p><p>Micropathus cavernicola Richards, 1964: 220–223, fig. 2.</p><p>Micropathus cavernicola – Richards 1968: 171 (in key, additional records); 1971: 578–579 (in key, additional records); 1974: 252–253 (in key, additional records).</p><p>Diagnosis</p><p>The apices of the hind femora variably bear an apical spine on the retrolateral side. The ventral surfaces of the hind femora are unarmed prolaterally but variably bear linear spines on the retrolateral side. The male suranal plate is simple and rounded both proximally and distally (Fig. 4b). The female subgenital plate bears two long, broad lobes originating from its medial surface and extend past the distal margin of the plate. The lobes are separated by a furrow at the bases and further diverge distally (Fig. 4b).</p><p>Etymology</p><p>Not explained by Richards. The New Latin adjective ‘ cavernicolus ’ means ‘cave’ or ‘crevice-dwelling’ and ‘ cavernicola ’ is its feminine inflection. Per Article 34.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, Latin adjectival species-group names are required to agree with the gender of the genus with which they are associated (ICZN 1999). As such, the gender ending of Micropathus cavernicola is invalid and the correct declension is Micropathus cavernicolus .</p><p>Type material</p><p>Holotype</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♂; Mole Creek area, “ Maracoopa ” [Marakoopa] Cave; 28 Jul. 1957; A. Goede leg.; ANIC 14-042009; ANIC.</p><p>Other material examined</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania – Bubs Hill • 1 ♂; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.75&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.117" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.75/lat -42.117)">Quarry Cave</a>; 42.117° S, 145.75° E; 14 Apr. 2012; S.M. Eberhard leg.; GenBank: PV368128 (COI); SARFMEE 12:0963a; SARFMEE – Eldon Range • 3 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.75&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-41.983" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.75/lat -41.983)">Carnivore Cave</a>; 41.983° S, 145.75° E; 950 m a.s.l.; 13 Apr. 2012; R. Eberhard leg.; GenBank: PV368126 (COI); TMAG F073341; TMAG. – <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.75&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-41.983" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.75/lat -41.983)">Loongana</a> • 1 ♂; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.75&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-41.983" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.75/lat -41.983)">River Leven environs</a>; 41.414° S, 145.97° E; 384 m a.s.l.; 13 Jan. 2023; R. Beaver leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 148317397. – Mole Creek • 2 ♂♂; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.75&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-41.983" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.75/lat -41.983)">Westmorland Cave</a> (MC-X64); 41.614° S, 146.4° E; 13 Apr. 2012; R. Eberhard and S.M. Eberhard leg.; TMAG F073212; TMAG • 1 ♂; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.3&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-41.578" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.3/lat -41.578)">Marakoopa Cave</a>; 41.578° S, 146.30° E; 477 m a.s.l.; 13 Dec. 2006; M. Morgan-Richards leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 169848453 • 1 ♂; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.35&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-41.578" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.35/lat -41.578)">near intersection of Sassafras and Platypus Creeks</a>; 41.578° S, 146.35° E; 5 Apr. 2024; J. Cordwell leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 206636454 • 1 ♀; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.29&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-41.574" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.29/lat -41.574)">unnamed cave</a>; 41.574° S, 146.29° E; 17 Feb. 2022; N. Anderson leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 107455864 • 1 ♀; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.25&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-41.552" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.25/lat -41.552)">King Solomons Cave</a>; 41.552° S, 146.25° E; 1 Mar. 2008; iNaturalist user jmanins leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 233667984. – Mount Huxley • 1 ♀; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.25&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-41.552" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.25/lat -41.552)">mine adit</a> 100 m SSE of <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.25&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-41.552" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.25/lat -41.552)">Mt Huxley Lookout</a>; 42.163° S, 145.59° E; 619 m a.s.l.; 16 Apr. 2022; P. Crofts leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 112830411 • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; photograph; iNaturalist 112830408 • 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂, 1 spec.; same data as for preceding; K. Martin-Smith leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 112213642 • 1 ♀; among colony of hundreds; same data as for preceding; B. Bell leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 111915702. – <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.59&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.163" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.59/lat -42.163)">Mount Roland</a> • 1 ♂; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.59&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.163" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.59/lat -42.163)">Minnow River environs</a>; 41.484° S, 146.30° E; 837 m a.s.l.; 21 Jun. 2023; S. Ayre leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 174066162 .</p><p>Redescription</p><p>As in Richards (1964), with exceptions as follows: ♀ subgenital plate with two lobes projecting from medial surface of plate, bases of lobes separated by a furrow, and with darkened apices in some individuals. Hind femur unarmed prolaterally, but an apical spine variably present retrolaterally and 0–4 retrolateral linear spines on ventral surface. Hind tibia with 31–45 prolateral and 28–40 retrolateral dorsal linear spines. First segment of hind tarsus with 1–3 prolateral and 1–2 retrolateral dorsal linear spines. Second tarsal segment with 1–2 dorsal linear spines prolaterally and retrolaterally.</p><p>Distribution</p><p>Northern-central Tasmania at altitudes 500– 950 m. Micropathus cavernicolus primarily occurs in limestone caves of the Mole Creek, Loongana, Bubs Hill, and Eldon Range karsts (Fig. 1b) but has also been found in rainforest surrounding caves, mine adits in non-karst terrain, and under stones (Richards 1987).</p><p>Remarks</p><p>Richards described M. cavernicolus from material she later realised was distorted, making her initial description of the female subgenital plate inaccurate (Richards 1968). The original description states the distal portion of the plate and its associated lobes are folded back dorsally, a distortion we have observed even in relatively fresh ethanol-preserved specimens. Richards did not provide a corrected illustration of this character, which we show in Fig. 4. According to Richards, M. fuscus is sympatric with M. cavernicolus at Loongana (Richards 1971b), but no material of the latter was available to us for examination from the area.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03AA4C0DFFB1FFE3FD89FAC7C78C026A	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Beasley-Hall, P. G.;Eberhard, S. M.	Beasley-Hall, P. G., Eberhard, S. M. (2025): Diversity and distribution of cave crickets in the genus Micropathus Walker, 1869, threatened short-range endemics from Tasmanian wet forest (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1012: 239-267, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.1012.3053, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3053/13657
03AA4C0DFFBDFFE7FD84F918C4EF0236.text	03AA4C0DFFBDFFE7FD84F918C4EF0236.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Micropathus ditto Beasley-Hall 2025	<div><p>Micropathus ditto Beasley-Hall sp. nov.</p><p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: EE4FB97B-768C-4CFF-8313-5C55F369F9AA</p><p>Figs 1–2, 5–6, Table 1</p><p>Diagnosis</p><p>The hind femora are entirely unarmed and lack both apical and linear spines, the only known member of Micropathus with this configuration. The male suranal plate is rounded at the proximal margin and emarginate distally, forming two rounded lobes, unlike M. tasmaniensis and M. kiernani (Figs 2, 6b). The male subgenital plate is triangular distally with a pronounced, rounded apex (Fig. 6c). The female suranal plate is triangular proximally and faintly emarginate distally (Fig. 6d). The female subgenital plate bears two lobes originating from its medial surface rather than the distal margin, further distinguishing the species from its close relatives. These lobes are separated at the bases by a distinct medial groove and remain in contact throughout their length (Figs 6e).</p><p>Etymology</p><p>Named after, a Pokémon from the video game franchise of the same name. Ditto has the unique ability to transform into an exact replica of other Pokémon and mimic their physical appearance. To us, this trait is reminiscent of M. ditto Beasley-Hall sp. nov. effectively hiding in plain sight: the species has been known to science for over sixty years, but until the present study it was considered a southern population of M. tasmaniensis . As a result, M. ditto has already been the subject of diverse studies concerning phylogenetic relationships, feeding habits, and chromosome numbers, but under an incorrect name (Richards 1968; Eberhard 2001; Allegrucci et al. 2010; Richardson et al. 2013; Beasley-Hall et al. 2018; Allegrucci &amp; Sbordoni 2019). This confusion was caused by the species sharing very similar morphology. Indeed, Richards’ description of M. tasmaniensis erroneously included an illustration of M. ditto (see redescription of the former below). The species name ‘ditto’ is not a Latin or latinised word and we therefore treat it as indeclinable in compliance with ICZN Article 31.2.3 (ICZN 1999).</p><p>Type material</p><p>Holotype</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♂; Precipitous Bluff, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.59&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-43.482" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.59/lat -43.482)">Damper Cave</a> (PB1); 43.482° S, 146.59° E; 152 m a.s.l.; 3 Feb. 2023; S.M. Eberhard leg.; GenBank: PV368136 (COI); TMAG F156341; TMAG.</p><p>Paratypes</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • 2 ♀♀; same data as for holotype; TMAG F156342 to F156343; TMAG • 1 ♂; same data as for holotype; TMAG F156342; TMAG • 1 ♀; same data as for holotype; ANIC 14- 008973; ANIC • 1 ♂; same data as for holotype; ANIC 14-008974; ANIC .</p><p>Other material examined</p><p>TASMANIA – Hastings Caves State Reserve • 1 ♂; near Platypus Walk; 43.413° S, 146.87° E; 23 Dec. 2018; M. Van Dyke leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 37292098. – Ida Bay • 3 ♀♀; Big Tree Pot Cave (IB-009); 43.463° S, 146.85° E; 211 m a.s.l.; 28 Sep. 2011; R. Eberhard leg.; valley entrance to cave; GenBank: PV368135 (COI); TMAG F156345 to F156347; TMAG • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; TMAG F073198; TMAG • 1 spec.; Exit Cave; 43.476° S, 146.839° E; 119 m a.s.l.; 23 Feb. 2011; S.M. Eberhard leg.; molecular data only; GenBank: PV197427 (12S rRNA); SARFMEE 12:0954. – Lune River • 1 ♀; unnamed cave; 43.445° S, 146.82° E; 551 m a.s.l.; 11 Aug. 2024; C. Fitzgerald leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 235051418 • 1 ♀; Lune River environs; 43.465° S, 146.87° E; elev. 225 m; 14 Dec. 2021; S. Grove leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 103213443. – Mystery Creek Cave • 2 ♂♂; 43.462° S, 146.85° E; 139–160 m a.s.l.; 21 Dec. 2023; J. Thurman leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 195459143, 195459145 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 170 m a.s.l.; 13 Mar. 2021; T. Rudman leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 71119620 • 1 nymph; same data as for preceding; elev. 146 m; 26 Jun. 2024; B. Bell leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 225296767 • 1 ♀, 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; 151 m a.s.l.; 4 Feb. 2023; M. Van Schilt leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 148003491 • 3 ♀♀, 4 ♂♂, 3 nymphs; same data as for preceding; 177 m a.s.l.; 9 Dec. 2015; S. Grove leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 9359209. – Pindars Peak • 1 spec.; Morning Light Cave (PP 1); 43.543° S, 146.67° E; 305 m a.s.l.; 24 Nov. 2011; S.M. Eberhard leg.; molecular data only; GenBank: PV197429 (12S rRNA); SARFMEE 12:0618; SARFMEE.</p><p>Description</p><p>MEASUREMENTS. ♂ body length 14–15 mm. ♀ body length 14–16 mm, ovipositor 11–12.5 mm. Hind tibia 23–25 mm; sexual dimorphism absent.</p><p>HEAD. Light brown and mottled with mid brown patterning on vertex and frons. Fastigium divided into two tubercles with a pale ocelliform spot on either side. Medial ocellus present.</p><p>BODY. Generally mid brown mottled with pale brown and ochreous patches particularly prominent on thoracic nota. Thoracic nota and abdominal sternites with row of pale brown flecks at distal margins. Thin medial line running down thoracic nota, not visible beyond metanotum.</p><p>LEGS. Ochreous brown with pale brown striations and patches concentrated proximally. Fore and middle legs as in generic diagnosis above, with ventral surface of tibiae bearing two rows of linear spines, one each prolaterally and retrolaterally, each containing 3–5 linear spines. Hind femur without apical or linear spines. Dorsal surface of hind tibia with 32–38 linear spines prolaterally and 28–32 retrolaterally. First segment of hind tarsus with 1–4 dorsal linear spines prolaterally and 1–3 retrolaterally. Second tarsal segment with 1–2 dorsal linear spines each prolaterally and retrolaterally.</p><p>MALE TERMINALIA. Suranal plate dark brown and densely setose except for proximomedially. Proximal margin of suranal plate rounded. Suranal plate straight laterally, becoming rounded distolaterally. Distal margin of suranal plate emarginate medially and curved ventrally, forming two wide, rounded lobes; underside of each lobe with a black, dentate fringe of tubercles which may be produced as thin spines. Sternite 9 with styles; proximomedially lacking setae and with a pale, V-shaped ridge; distal margin curved dorsally, subgenital plate originating underneath. Subgenital plate pale, without setae, and prominently triangular with rounded apex.</p><p>FEMALE TERMINALIA. Suranal plate mid brown and setose at distal margin but otherwise glabrous. Proximal margin of suranal plate broadly triangular and with rounded apex. Plate laterally convex, distal margin rounded and with a faint medial notch. Subgenital plate convex laterally with two long, narrow lobes produced from medial surface and separated by distinct medial groove, their length extending past distal margin and measuring over half that of plate; apices of lobes rounded. Basivalvulae present, bulbous, positioned lateromedially. Ovipositor light reddish brown. Ventral valve of ovipositor bearing 6–7 small, weakly produced teeth decreasing in size towards apex; each tooth often paired with sclerotised ridge on corresponding lateral surface.</p><p>Distribution</p><p>In limestone and dolomite caves of the Ida Bay, Precipitous Bluff, Pindars Peak, and Hastings karst areas in southern Tasmania, up to 500 m a.s.l. (Fig. 1b).</p><p>Remarks</p><p>Micropathus ditto Beasley-Hall sp. nov. was previously considered a southern population of M. tasmaniensis and is referred to as Micropathus “sp. nov. 2” in the phylogeny of Beasley-Hall et al. (2025). Its range notably includes caves at Ida Bay, a popular caving destination. In the past this karst area was subject to considerable cave fauna sampling, monitoring, and conservation studies driven in part by successive threats posed by native forest logging and limestone quarrying. As such, its life history and ecology – while still poorly known – may be slightly better studied than other Australian Rhaphidophoridae . Micropathus ditto co-occurs with cave-adapted glow-worms, beetles, spiders, and harvestmen (Driessen 2009). The species is the main prey of the large, iconic Tasmanian cave spider Hickmania troglodytes (Richards &amp; Ollier 1976) . Eggs of M. ditto, laid in moist sediment banks, are also a key food source for troglobitic beetles at Ida Bay (Driessen 2009) . Similar to the Rhaphidophoridae in the Northern Hemisphere, these surveys suggest Micropathus ditto is a keystone species due to their biomass and abundance in cave habitats.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03AA4C0DFFBDFFE7FD84F918C4EF0236	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Beasley-Hall, P. G.;Eberhard, S. M.	Beasley-Hall, P. G., Eberhard, S. M. (2025): Diversity and distribution of cave crickets in the genus Micropathus Walker, 1869, threatened short-range endemics from Tasmanian wet forest (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1012: 239-267, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.1012.3053, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3053/13657
03AA4C0DFFB9FFE5FDECF9DCC5590266.text	03AA4C0DFFB9FFE5FDECF9DCC5590266.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Micropathus fuscus Richards 1968	<div><p>Micropathus fuscus Richards, 1968</p><p>Figs 1–2, 7, Table 1</p><p>Micropathus fuscus Richards, 1968: 171–174, fig. 2.</p><p>Micropathus fuscus – Richards 1971: 579 (in key); 1974: 252 (in key).</p><p>Diagnosis</p><p>Micropathus fuscus has a dark brown body colouration mottled with lighter brown patterning (Fig. 7). The apices of the hind femora variably bear an apical spine on the retrolateral side. Micropathus fuscus is the only known member of Micropathus with ventral linear spines on both the prolateral and retrolateral sides of the hind femora, although we note the former does not occur in all individuals due to intraspecific variation. In other species, ventral linear spines either occur on the retrolateral side only, with no variation ( M. cavernicolus, M. montanus, M. zubat sp. nov. Beasley-Hall), or the hind femora lack these spines entirely ( M. ditto Beasley-Hall sp. nov., M. kiernani, M. tasmaniensis). The distal margin of the suranal in M. fuscus has a medial notch in both sexes (Fig. 2). The female subgenital plate bears long lobes originating from the plate’s distal surface and in contact throughout their entire length. The lobes are usually rounded at the apex but may be broken in adults.</p><p>Etymology</p><p>Not explained by Richards. The Latin adjective ‘ fuscus ’ means ‘dark’ or ‘brown’, referring to the body colour of the species.</p><p>Type material</p><p>Holotype</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♂; unnamed cave 34 chains N of Heka, 3 miles NW of Gunns Plains; 6 May 1967; A. Goede leg.; ANIC 14-042010; ANIC.</p><p>Paratype</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♀; same data as for holotype; molecular data only; GenBank: PV440717 (COI); ANIC 14-008969; ANIC .</p><p>Other material examined</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • 1 ♀; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.04&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-41.143" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.04/lat -41.143)">Julius River Forest Reserve</a>; 41.143° S, 145.04° E; 130 m a.s.l.; 28 Feb. 2021; B. Costello leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 70307645 .</p><p>Redescription</p><p>As in Richards (1968), with exceptions as follows: male suranal plate with distal margin curved ventrally and with a dentate fringe of small, dark brown tubercles underneath, but without pronounced spine-like projections. Hind femur variably bearing a small retrolateral apical spine and 0–1 prolateral and 3–6 retrolateral ventral linear spines. Hind tibia with 22–31 prolateral and 20–30 retrolateral dorsal linear spines. First segment of hind tarsus with 0–2 prolateral and 1–3 retrolateral dorsal linear spines. Second tarsal segment with 0–2 dorsal linear spines prolaterally and retrolaterally.</p><p>Distribution</p><p>Micropathus fuscus was described from caves in the Gunns Plains karst in northern Tasmania (Fig. 1b). Richards later observed the species at Loongana in Leven Cave (L3) and further west at Trowutta Arch. We have been unable to examine material from Loongana, but a photograph from the citizen science platform iNaturalist suggests the presence of the species approximately 1 km from Trowutta based on its distinctive body colouration (Fig 7; see Other material examined). Micropathus fuscus is not known from elevations above 300 m (Richards 1987) and so far all records of the species have been from caves.</p><p>Remarks</p><p>While the holotype label of M. fuscus states it was collected 3 miles northwest of Gunns Plains, the species description reads “ 5 km southwest”, making it difficult to pinpoint a precise type locality. Richards differentiated M. fuscus from other members of the genus by a lack of spine-like projections on the distal margin of the male suranal plate (Richards 1974). However, upon inspecting the holotype we observed a convex, dentate fringe of dark brown tubercles on either side of the distomedial notch. While the species indeed lacks clearly pronounced spine-like projections compared to some other members of Micropathus, it appears this character is more variable than originally described by Richards. Both M. fuscus and M. kiernani can be distinguished by their dark brown body colouration, with other members of Micropathus being a light to mid brown.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03AA4C0DFFB9FFE5FDECF9DCC5590266	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Beasley-Hall, P. G.;Eberhard, S. M.	Beasley-Hall, P. G., Eberhard, S. M. (2025): Diversity and distribution of cave crickets in the genus Micropathus Walker, 1869, threatened short-range endemics from Tasmanian wet forest (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1012: 239-267, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.1012.3053, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3053/13657
03AA4C0DFFBBFFFBFD90F90FC7B00671.text	03AA4C0DFFBBFFFBFD90F90FC7B00671.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Micropathus kiernani Richards 1974	<div><p>Micropathus kiernani Richards, 1974</p><p>Fig. 1–2, Table 1</p><p>Micropathus kiernani Richards, 1974: 253–255, fig. 3.</p><p>Diagnosis</p><p>Micropathus kiernani has a dark brown body colouration similar to M. fuscus but without its light brown patterning. It is the most strongly pigmented member of the genus. The apices of the hind femora variably bear a spine retrolaterally, but the ventral surfaces are entirely without linear spines. The male suranal plate is simple, being rounded both proximally and distally (Fig. 2). The female subgenital plate is wide and rounded and bears two short, spiked lobes at the distal margin. The lobes touch at the bases but diverge distally (Fig. 2).</p><p>Etymology</p><p>Named for Kevin Kiernan, a Tasmanian speleologist, geomorphologist, and conservationist. The species name ‘ kiernani ’ is a noun in the genitive case per ICZN Article 31.1.1 (ICZN 1999).</p><p>Type material</p><p>Holotype</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♂; Francistown near Dover, sandstone cave; 12 May 1973; K. Kiernan leg.; GenBank: PV440718 (COI); ANIC 14-042015; ANIC.</p><p>Paratype</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♀; same data as for holotype; molecular data only; GenBank: PV440730 (COI); ANIC 14-008956; ANIC .</p><p>Other material examined</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • 1 ♀, Precipitous Bluff, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.58&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-43.482" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.58/lat -43.482)">Damper Cave</a> (PB1); 43.482° S, 146.58° E; 26 m a.s.l.; 3 Feb. 2023; S.M. Eberhard leg.; GenBank: PV440729 (COI); TMAG F156348; TMAG • 1 ♂; same data as for preceding; TMAG F156349; TMAG .</p><p>Redescription</p><p>As in Richards (1974), with exceptions as follows: ♂ suranal plate with distal margin curved ventrally and occasionally with projections underneath, ranging from a fringe of tubercles to prominent individual spines. Hind femur variably bearing a small retrolateral apical spine. Hind tibia with 21–35 prolateral and 22–35 retrolateral dorsal linear spines. First segment of hind tarsus with 0–5 prolateral and 1–4 retrolateral dorsal linear spines. Second tarsal segment with 0–2 prolateral and 0–2 retrolateral dorsal linear spines.</p><p>Distribution</p><p>Micropathus kiernani is listed as Critically Endangered federally and Rare under Tasmanian state legislation due to its exceptionally narrow distribution, previously restricted to a single sandstone cave at Francistown (Fig. 1b; Threatened Species Section 2022). However, we recently discovered a second population around 40 km away at Precipitous Bluff that was confirmed as M. kiernani based on a phylogenetic analysis against the type material (Beasley-Hall et al. 2025a). Micropathus kiernani was previously only known from a moderate elevation (200 m), but this new record expands its altitudinal range to as low as 26 m. While this new record indicates M. kiernani is not as restricted as initially thought, the species nonetheless qualifies as a short-range endemic given its known distribution of less than 10 000 km 2 (Harvey 2002).</p><p>Interestingly, the individuals at Precipitous Bluff were found amongst a colony of M. ditto Beasley-Hall sp. nov. Documented instances of sympatry in the Australian Rhaphidophoridae have previously only involved members of different genera (Richards 1971b); to our knowledge, this is the first recorded instance involving congenerics. The two species are readily distinguished at a distance by their body colouration, even when occurring together in a tangle: M. kiernani stands out against the much lighter brown of M. ditto with a uniformly dark brown body, similar in shade to M. fuscus (Fig. 7).</p><p>Remarks</p><p>In addition to correcting of Richards’ terminology regarding the orientation of leg spines in M. kiernani, there are several characters we have observed to differ from its initial description. Firstly, Richards described the male suranal plate of M. kiernani as bearing four anteriorly directed processes on the underside of the distal margin, which she illustrated as separate, well-produced teeth. However, upon inspecting the holotype we observed two lateromedial rows of tubercles, suggesting the trait is more variable than supposed by Richards. Secondly, the Precipitous Bluff material bears an apical spine on the retrolateral surface of the hind femur, previously thought absent from M. kiernani . As such, M. ditto Beasley-Hall sp. nov. is the only known member of Micropathus in which this trait does not exhibit intraspecific variation.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03AA4C0DFFBBFFFBFD90F90FC7B00671	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Beasley-Hall, P. G.;Eberhard, S. M.	Beasley-Hall, P. G., Eberhard, S. M. (2025): Diversity and distribution of cave crickets in the genus Micropathus Walker, 1869, threatened short-range endemics from Tasmanian wet forest (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1012: 239-267, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.1012.3053, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3053/13657
03AA4C0DFFA5FFF8FD99FD1DC72906AD.text	03AA4C0DFFA5FFF8FD99FD1DC72906AD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Micropathus montanus Richards 1971	<div><p>Micropathus montanus Richards, 1971</p><p>Figs 1–2, Table 1</p><p>Micropathus montanus Richards, 1971: 580–583, fig. 2.</p><p>Micropathus montanus – Richards 1974: 252–253 (in key, additional records).</p><p>Diagnosis</p><p>The apices of the hind femora variably bear an apical spine on the retrolateral side. The ventral surfaces of the hind femora are unarmed prolaterally but variably bear linear spines on the retrolateral side. The male suranal plate has a proximal margin that resembles three wide, rounded lobes and is rounded distally (Fig. 2). The female subgenital plate is concave at the lateral margin and forms two strongly reflexed lobes at the distal corners. The distal margin of the plate bears two to three small, sclerotised lobes with pointed apices (Fig. 2).</p><p>Etymology</p><p>Not explained by Richards. The Latin adjective ‘ montānus ’ means ‘dwelling in the mountains’ in reference to the species occurring at high altitudes.</p><p>Type material</p><p>Holotype</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♂; Mount Ronald Cross, Virgo Cave; 26 Jan. 1969; R. J. Cockerill leg.; ANIC 14-009107; ANIC.</p><p>Paratype</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♀; same data as for holotype; ANIC 14-008965; ANIC .</p><p>Other material examined</p><p>TASMANIA – Franklin-Gordon Wildlife Reserve • 1 ♀; Lancelot Rivulet karst, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.92&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.52" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.92/lat -42.52)">Cave</a> 22; 42.520° S, 145.92° E; 2 Dec. 2022; R. Eberhard leg.; GenBank: PV368131 (COI); TMAG F138844; TMAG. – Gordon-Albert karst • 3 ♀♀, 3 ♂♂; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.89&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.743" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.89/lat -42.743)">Gaxi Cave</a>; 42.743° S, 145.89° E; 5 Nov. 2011; R. Eberhard leg.; GenBank: PV368132 (COI); TMAG F073206; TMAG • 1 spec.; unnamed cave; 42.740° S, 145.95° E; same data as for preceding; molecular data only; GenBank: MH171950 (12S rRNA); SARFMEE 12:0967; SARFMEE. – Nicholls Range • 1 ♀, 1 ♂; Bill Nielsen / <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.85&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.707" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.85/lat -42.707)">Rotuli Cave</a> (NR-001); 42.707° S, 145.85° E; same data as for preceding; GenBank: PV368133 (COI); TMAG F073218; TMAG • 1 spec.; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=145.83&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.633" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 145.83/lat -42.633)">Kayak Kavern</a>; 42.633° S, 145.83° E; same data as for preceding; S.M. Eberhard leg.; molecular data only; GenBank: MH171948 (12S rRNA); SARFMEE 12:0964a; SARFMEE .</p><p>Distribution</p><p>Central western Tasmania at 200–960 m a.s.l. (Fig. 1b; Richards 1987). Habitat ranges from caves in lowland riverine rainforest in the Gordon-Albert and Nicholls Range areas to subalpine caves at Mount Ronald Cross.</p><p>Redescription</p><p>As in Richards (1971a), with exceptions as follows: ♀ subgenital plate with two to three short, sclerotised, and spine-like lobes at distal margin. Hind femur unarmed prolaterally but variably bearing a small retrolateral apical spine and 1–5 retrolateral ventral linear spines. Hind tibia with 29–41 prolateral and 27–42 retrolateral dorsal linear spines. First segment of hind tarsus with 1–5 prolateral and 1–4 retrolateral dorsal linear spines. Second tarsal segment with 1–3 dorsal linear spines prolaterally and retrolaterally.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03AA4C0DFFA5FFF8FD99FD1DC72906AD	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Beasley-Hall, P. G.;Eberhard, S. M.	Beasley-Hall, P. G., Eberhard, S. M. (2025): Diversity and distribution of cave crickets in the genus Micropathus Walker, 1869, threatened short-range endemics from Tasmanian wet forest (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1012: 239-267, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.1012.3053, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3053/13657
03AA4C0DFFA6FFFFFDB7FD40C4A005CE.text	03AA4C0DFFA6FFFFFDB7FD40C4A005CE.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Micropathus tasmaniensis Richards 1964	<div><p>Micropathus tasmaniensis Richards, 1964</p><p>Figs 1–2, 8, Table 1</p><p>Micropathus tasmaniensis Richards, 1964: 218–220, fig. 1.</p><p>Micropathus tasmaniensis – Richards 1968: 171 (in key, additional records); 1971: 579–580 (in key, additional records); 1974: 252 (in key, additional records).</p><p>Diagnosis</p><p>The apices of the hind femora variably bear a spine retrolaterally but the ventral surfaces are entirely without linear spines. The male suranal plate is rounded at the proximal margin and bears a weak medial notch distally (Figs 2, 8b). The female subgenital plate bears two elongate, finger-like lobes projecting distally (Figs 2, 8e). The ovipositor bears 7–8 small teeth on its ventral valves (Fig. 8f–g).</p><p>Etymology</p><p>Not explained by Richards. Formed from Tasmania + the Latin suffix ‘- ēnsis ’ to form an adjective, which takes the masculine ending following the grammatical gender of the genus.</p><p>Type material</p><p>Holotype</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♂; Florentine Valley, unnamed limestone cave; 3 Dec. 1961; G. Dolezal leg.; ANIC 14-042011; ANIC.</p><p>Other material examined</p><p>TASMANIA – Junee-Florentine karst • 2 ♀♀; Mount Field National Park, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.5&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.69" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.5/lat -42.69)">Growling Swallet Cave</a> (JF-036); 42.690° S, 146.50° E; 600 m a.s.l.; 12 Sep. 2011; R. Eberhard leg.; TMAG F073187; TMAG. – Maydena • 1 ♀, 1 ♂; Risbys Basin, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.6&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.772" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.6/lat -42.772)">Hellebore Cave</a>; 42.772° S, 146.60° E; 310 m a.s.l.; 24 Apr. 2022; R. Eberhard leg.; GenBank: PV368140 (COI); TMAG F127197; TMAG • 1 ♀; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.6&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.737" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.6/lat -42.737)">Junee Cave State Reserve</a>, unnamed cave [likely Junee Cave JF 8]; 42.737° S, 146.60° E; 300 m a.s.l.; 5 Oct. 2021; R. Turnbull leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 97974950 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 19 Sep. 2021; N. Fitzgerald leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 95367962 • 1 ♀; same data as for preceding; 5 Dec. 2024; K. Magnacca leg.; photograph; iNaturalist 259004982 • 1 spec.; Junee Cave State Reserve, Junee Cave (JF8); 42.737° S, 146.60° E; 320 m a.s.l.; 12 Sep. 2011; S.M. Eberhard leg.; molecular data only; GenBank: MH171949 (12S rRNA); SARFMEE 12:0620; SARFMEE. – <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.6&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.737" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.6/lat -42.737)">Mount Anne</a> • 3 ♀♀, 1 ♂; northeast ridge of mountain, Cave MA-CS-8; 42.922° S, 146.46° E; 895 m a.s.l.; 17 Dec. 2022; S.M. Eberhard leg.; GenBank: PV368139 (COI); TMAG F156350 to F156353; TMAG.</p><p>Other material (not examined)</p><p>TASMANIA – Florentine Valley • 1 spec.; What-U-Callit <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.45&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.53" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.45/lat -42.53)">Cave</a> (JF-456); 42.530° S, 146.45° E; 12 Sep. 2011; R. Eberhard leg.; TMAG F073207; TMAG • 1 spec.; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.46&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.533" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.46/lat -42.533)">Frankcombes Cave</a> (JF-007); 42.533° S, 146.46° E; 27 Jul. 2012; R. Eberhard leg.; TMAG F073223; TMAG • 1 spec.; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.47&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.569" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.47/lat -42.569)">Beginners Luck Cave</a> (JF-079); 42.569° S, 146.47° E; 27 Jul. 2012; R. Eberhard leg.; TMAG F073191; TMAG • 1 spec.; Cashions Creek Cave; 25 Nov. 1971; T. Goede leg.; TMAG F000199. – Junee-Florentine karst • 1 spec.; <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.53&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-42.702" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.53/lat -42.702)">Niggly Cave</a> (JF-237); 42.702° S, 146.53° E; 3 Jul. 2011; R. Eberhard leg.; TMAG F073224; TMAG .</p><p>Redescription</p><p>MEASUREMENTS. ♂ body length 14–19 mm. ♀ body length 10–19 mm, ovipositor 8.5–11 mm. Hind tibia 19–24 mm.</p><p>HEAD. Light brown and mottled with mid to dark brown patterning on vertex and frons. Fastigium divided into two tubercles with a pale ocelliform spot on either side. Median ocellus present.</p><p>BODY. Generally mid brown mottled with pale brown and ochreous patches, particularly prominent on thoracic nota. Thoracic nota and abdominal sternites with row of pale brown flecks at distal margin. Thin medial line running down thoracic nota, not visible beyond metanotum.</p><p>LEGS. Ochreous brown with pale brown striations and patches concentrated proximally. Hind femur variably bearing an apical spine on retrolateral surface, often reduced in size relative to other spp. when present. Ventral surface of fore and mid tibia armed with two rows of linear spines, one prolateral and one retrolateral, each bearing 3–5 spines prolaterally and 3–4 retrolaterally. Hind femur without ventral linear spines. Hind tibia with 29–36 prolateral and 27–32 retrolateral dorsal linear spines prolaterally and retrolaterally. First segment of hind tarsus with 1–4 dorsal linear spines. Second tarsal segment with 1–2 prolateral and 1–3 retrolateral dorsal linear spines.</p><p>MALE TERMINALIA. Suranal plate dark brown, densely setose at distal margin; proximal margin rounded, approximately level with base of cerci; plate rounded and weakly notched distomedially; curved ventrally at distal margin, underside bearing a narrow, raised fringe of dark brown tubercles on either side of distomedial notch. Sternite 9 bearing styles, mid to dark brown and with pale, V-shaped ridge medially; entire surface setose with long, dense setae at distolateral corners. Subgenital plate rounded with short setae concentrated distally.</p><p>FEMALE TERMINALIA. Suranal plate convex laterally and rounded distally. Subgenital plate pale, without setae; plate narrowing distally and split into two flattened, finger-like lobes at distal margin measuring approximately ⅓ × as long as plate; often with sclerotised apices in adults. Basivalvulae present, bulbous, positioned laterally. Ovipositor light reddish brown. Ventral valve of ovipositor bearing 7–8 small, weakly produced teeth decreasing in size towards apex; each tooth often paired with process resembling sclerotised tubercle on corresponding lateral surface.</p><p>Distribution</p><p>Southern-central Tasmania at 300–750 m a.s.l (Fig. 1b). Known from limestone caves of the Junee-Florentine karst east of Lake Gordon and Lake Pedder and described from an unnamed cave in the Florentine Valley 270 m south south-east from Frankcombe Cave (JF-007) (Richards 1964, 1968). Richards stated the species is also found in the Hobart and Mount Cygnet area (Richards 1968), but we have not been able to inspect material from these locations.</p><p>Remarks</p><p>Micropathus tasmaniensis was described from the Florentine Valley in southern-central Tasmania and was said by Richards to also occur in the southeast near Hastings and Ida Bay (Fig.). However, a molecular phylogenetic analysis has indicated the southeast population is a separate species (Beasley-Hall et al. 2025a), necessitating the description of M. ditto Beasley-Hall sp. nov. (see above) and the redescription of M. tasmaniensis from Florentine Valley material alone. The species are similar morphologically but primarily differ in the shape of the terminalia. This redescription was complicated by Richards’ initial definition of M. tasmaniensis, which was confusingly inconsistent and referenced both species due to an assumption that these differences simply reflected intraspecific variation (see Fig. 6f).</p><p>Richards correctly illustrated the female suranal plate of the species, but in-text the structure is described as either rounded distally (as in M. tasmaniensis) or occasionally notched (as in M. ditto Beasley-Hall sp. nov.). Curiously, Richards refers to the female subgenital plate as it presents in M. ditto only, with no mention of females from the type locality of M. tasmaniensis at Florentine Valley. The lobes at the distal margin of the plate are not as pronounced in M. tasmaniensis as in M. ditto; it is possible Richards assumed her female paratypes were immatures and instead defaulted to the morphology of females further south. Finally, Richards described M. tasmaniensis as bearing 6–7 teeth on the female ovipositor, but we instead observe this range in M. ditto and 7–8 in M. tasmaniensis . The male terminalia illustrated by Richards correctly depict M. tasmaniensis .</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03AA4C0DFFA6FFFFFDB7FD40C4A005CE	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Beasley-Hall, P. G.;Eberhard, S. M.	Beasley-Hall, P. G., Eberhard, S. M. (2025): Diversity and distribution of cave crickets in the genus Micropathus Walker, 1869, threatened short-range endemics from Tasmanian wet forest (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1012: 239-267, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.1012.3053, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3053/13657
03AA4C0DFFA1FFFDFD8EFDA4C4EF00A9.text	03AA4C0DFFA1FFFDFD8EFDA4C4EF00A9.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Micropathus zubat Beasley-Hall & Eberhard 2025	<div><p>Micropathus zubat Beasley-Hall sp. nov.</p><p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 9A782EB4-742C-4B69-9497-CD6D9533ED78</p><p>Figs 1–2, 9, Table 1</p><p>Diagnosis</p><p>The apices of the hind femora bear an apical spine on the retrolateral side. The ventral surfaces of the hind femora are unarmed prolaterally but variably bear linear spines retrolaterally. The male suranal plate has a proximal margin that resembles three wide, rounded lobes / similar to M. montanus, but has a small medial notch on the distal margin rather than being rounded (Figs 2, 9b). The female subgenital plate is very distinctive: the structure is sclerotised at the lateral and distal margins, appearing orange, and bears two well-produced, spiked lobes originating from the distal margin. The lobes are separated by a deep medial notch and resemble fangs, readily differentiating it from both M. cavernicola and M. montanus (Figs 2, 9e).</p><p>Etymology</p><p>Named after Zubat, a bat Pokémon from the video game franchise of the same name. The two spiked lobes on the female subgenital plate are reminiscent of the pair of long fangs on Zubat’s upper jaw. Like many Rhaphidophoridae, Zubat is also found in cave and forest habitats. The species name ‘ zubat ’ is not a Latin or latinised word and we therefore treat it as indeclinable in compliance with ICZN Article 31.2.3 (ICZN 1999).</p><p>Type material</p><p>Holotype</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • ♂; Southwest National Park, Forest Hills, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=146.53&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-43.333" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 146.53/lat -43.333)">Cave</a> 2; 43.333° S, 146.53° E; 360 m a.s.l.; 15 Feb. 2012; S.M. Eberhard and R. Eberhard leg.; GenBank: PV368134 (COI); TMAG F073188; TMAG.</p><p>Paratypes</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • 1 ♀; same data as for holotype; TMAG F156354; TMAG • 1 ♀; same data as for holotype; ANIC 14-008975; ANIC .</p><p>Other material examined</p><p>AUSTRALIA – Tasmania • 1 spec.; same data as for holotype; molecular data only; GenBank: MH171951 (12S rRNA); SARFMEE 12:0965; SARFMEE .</p><p>Description</p><p>MEASUREMENTS. ♂ holotype body length 16.5 mm. ♀ body length 15–16 mm, ovipositor 9–9.5 mm. Hind tibia 24 mm; sexual dimorphism in leg lengths or armature unknown as hind legs were broken from specimens prior to examination.</p><p>HEAD. Light brown and mottled with mid to dark brown patterning on vertex and frons. Fastigium divided into two tubercles with a pale ocelliform spot on either side. Medial ocellus present.</p><p>BODY. Generally mid brown mottled with pale brown and ochreous patches, particularly prominent on thoracic nota. Thoracic nota and abdominal sternites with row of pale brown flecks at distal margin. A thin medial line running down thoracic nota, not visible beyond metanotum.</p><p>LEGS. Ochreous brown with pale brown striations and patches concentrated proximally. Fore and middle legs as in generic diagnosis above, with ventral surface of tibiae bearing two rows, one prolateral and other retrolateral of 4–5 linear spines each. Length of hind femur unarmed prolaterally but with 0–3 ventral linear spines retrolaterally. Hind tibia with 38–48 dorsal linear spines prolaterally and 32–47 retrolaterally; sexual dimorphism in tibial armature unknown as hind legs were separated from specimens prior to examination. First segment of hind tarsus with 3–4 dorsal linear spines prolaterally and 2–4 retrolaterally. Second tarsal segment with 2–3 dorsal linear spines prolaterally and 1–2 retrolaterally.</p><p>MALE TERMINALIA. Suranal plate mid to dark brown and densely setose at distal margin. Proximal margin of suranal plate broadly triangular. Distal margin of suranal plate rounded, weakly notched medially; suranal plate curved ventrally, bearing four wide, convex projections on underside, one pair on either side of distomedial notch. Each pair of projections separated by depression bearing black, dentate fringe of tubercles. Sternite 9 with styles; proximomedially lacking setae and with pale, V-shaped ridge; distal margin curved dorsally, subgenital plate originating underneath. Subgenital plate pale, without setae, and rounded.</p><p>FEMALE TERMINALIA. Suranal plate mid brown, sparsely setose at distal margin only. Proximal margin of suranal plate resembling three wide, rounded lobes. Plate laterally convex, distal margin rounded to weakly notched medially. Subgenital plate, without setae and concave proximolaterally, becoming convex towards distal margin. Distolateral corners rounded and sclerotised, appearing orange. Distal margin split into two spiked lobes which are also sclerotised and separated by wide, rounded notch; lobes measure approximately fifth of length of plate. Basivalvulae present, bulbous, positioned laterally. Ovipositor light reddish brown. Ventral valve of ovipositor bearing 5 small, weakly produced teeth decreasing in size towards apex; each tooth often paired with process resembling sclerotised tubercle on corresponding lateral surface.</p><p>Distribution</p><p>Recorded from a single dolomite cave in the Forest Hills karst at 360 m a.s.l., Southwest National Park, southwest Tasmania (Fig. 1b).</p><p>Remarks</p><p>Micropathus zubat Beasley-Hall sp. nov. was referred to as Micropathus “sp. nov. 1” in the phylogeny of Beasley-Hall et al. (2025). The species is the first cave-dwelling invertebrate recorded and described from the extremely remote and inaccessible Forest Hills karst in southwest Tasmania. The karst system comprises a stream sinking into a cave in the base of a large, enclosed depression in dense rainforest. While the true extent of this species’ range may be difficult to ascertain, this distribution currently classifies M. zubat as an ultra-short range endemic – that is, occupying a range of &lt;100 km 2 (Guzik et al. 2019), and therefore sampling of nearby karsts such as Cracroft, Mount Bobs, and Vanishing Falls is warranted to better delineate its range.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03AA4C0DFFA1FFFDFD8EFDA4C4EF00A9	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Beasley-Hall, P. G.;Eberhard, S. M.	Beasley-Hall, P. G., Eberhard, S. M. (2025): Diversity and distribution of cave crickets in the genus Micropathus Walker, 1869, threatened short-range endemics from Tasmanian wet forest (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1012: 239-267, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2025.1012.3053, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3053/13657
