Earwigs from Brazilian caves, with notes on the taxonomic and nomenclatural problems of the Dermaptera (Insecta)

Zookeys. 2017 Nov 2:(713):25-52. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.713.15118. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Based on samples collected during surveys of Brazilian cave fauna, seven earwig species are reported: Cylindrogaster cavernicola Kamimura, sp. n., Cylindrogaster sp. 1, Cylindrogaster sp. 2, Euborellia janeirensis, Euborellia brasiliensis, Paralabellula dorsalis, and Doru luteipes, as well as four species identified to the (sub)family level. To date, C. cavernicola Kamimura, sp. n. has been recorded only from cave habitats (but near entrances), whereas the other four organisms identified at the species level have also been recorded from non-cave habitats. Wings and female genital structures of Cylindrogaster spp. (Cylindrogastrinae) are examined for the first time. The genital traits, including the gonapophyses of the 8th abdominal segment shorter than those of the 9th segement, and venation of the hind wings of Cylindrogastrinae correspond to those of the members of Diplatyidae and not to Pygidicranidae. This is the first synopsis of cave-dwelling earwigs of Brazil, one of the most species-rich areas of Dermaptera in the world.

Keywords: Cylindrogaster cavernicola sp. n.; Cylindrogastrinae; Heterolabis; bat guano; cave fauna; dermapteran taxonomy; female genitalia; new synonym; traumatic mating.

Grants and funding

JSPS research grants (Kakenhi No. 15H04409; head, Kazunori Yoshizawa) CNPq grant (n.304682/2014-4 from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico)