Latest Articles from Subterranean Biology Latest 3 Articles from Subterranean Biology https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 17:30:14 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Subterranean Biology https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/ Postembryonic development of the troglobitic planthopper species Valenciolenda fadaforesta Hoch & Sendra, 2021 (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Kinnaridae), with a key to nymphal instars https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/85604/ Subterranean Biology 44: 51-68

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.44.85604

Authors: Alejandro Ortega-Gómez, Jesús Selfa, Alberto Sendra, Hannelore Hoch

Abstract: All nymphal instars of the recently discovered troglobitic planthopper species Valenciolenda fadaforesta Hoch & Sendra, 2021 are described. This represents the first documentation of the complete postembryonic development of any species in the family Kinnaridae. Characters of the external morphology are described and illustrated, and a key to the instars are provided to facilitate discrimination among the different nymphal stages. While V. fadaforesta nymphs share certain synapomorphies with other Fulgoromorpha (except the Tettigometridae), e.g., the cog-wheel structures of the metatrochanters, other characters may be correlated with the subterranean way of life of the species, and thus be autapomorphic, such as the absence of compound eyes in all instars.

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Research Article Thu, 1 Sep 2022 21:31:59 +0300
 Coframalaxius bletteryi gen. et sp. nov. from subterranean habitat in Southern France (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Cixiidae, Oecleini) https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/85804/ Subterranean Biology 43: 145-168

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.43.85804

Authors: Maxime Le Cesne, Thierry Bourgoin, Hannelore Hoch, Yang Luo, Yalin Zhang

Abstract: A new planthoppers genus and species of Cixiidae Oecleini, Coframalaxius bletteryi gen. et sp. nov. newly discovered in a cave near Nice in southern France, is described. Molecular analysis confirms the morphology-based classification of Coframalaxius as sister to Trigonocranus within the Oecleni. Several morphological characters are further discussed. A double-grasping coxo-femoral and femoro-tibial system is regarded as apomorphic for the oecline taxa and would allow the nymph to firmly grab the roots and rootlets on which it feeds or use to progress in the soil. Wing vein patterns are discussed in the Cixiidae: 1) for the forewings, Oecleini belong to the trifid type of the anterior MP branch, leading to the reinterpretation of some recently described Neotropical species, 2) for the hindwing, four connection types (U-, V-, Y- and I-types) between MP and CuA are described. Oecleini belongs to I-type with a complete fusion of MP3+4 with CuA1. Although the area where the cave is located is well-studied with respect to its regularly sampled epigean fauna for many years, the taxon is new to science, highlighting its probable completely hypogean life cycle and leading to consider Coframalaxius bletteryi as an eutroglophile species.

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Research Article Fri, 15 Jul 2022 13:41:07 +0300
Notes on the predation of an assassin bug by a spider in a Neotropical cave https://subtbiol.pensoft.net/article/48292/ Subterranean Biology 33: 17-22

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.33.48292

Authors: Leopoldo Ferreira de Oliveira Bernardi, Vinícius da Fontoura Sperandei, Lívia Dorneles Audino, Carlos Henrique Sena, Jessica Aline Alves

Abstract: Intraguild predation have rarely been documented in scientific literature, even though this type of interaction can affect population dynamics and competition. In this study we present an intraguild predation event that occurred at different times, but in the same cave, where we observed spiders of the species Enoploctenus cyclotorax preying on specimens of assassin bug Zelurus diasi. Inside the studied caves, food resources are scarce and populations can be fairly small in size. It is possible, therefore, that these events are the result of ecological pressures imposed by the hypogean environment.

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Short Communication Fri, 17 Jan 2020 08:40:19 +0200