Singing in the Namoroka Caves, First Record In Situ for a Cave Dwelling Insect: Typhlobrixia namorokensis (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Cixiidae)

Adeline Soulier‐perkins (1) , David Ouvrard , Hannelore Hoch (2) , Thierry Bourgoin (1)

1 ISYEB - Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité
2 HU Berlin - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin = Humboldt University of Berlin = Université Humboldt de Berlin

This is the first substrate-borne communication record of the troglobitic planthopper Typhlobrixia namorokensis in the caves of the Ambovonomby network, Namoroka Tsingy, Madagascar. A supplementary morphological description of the male genitalia is provided and, for the first time, female genitalia of T. namorokensis are characterized. Molecular data were obtained for T. namorokensis; molecular analysis also reveals the presence of another (yet unidentified) cavernicolous cixiid in the Antsifotra caves network. The evolutionary origin of T. namorokensis is discussed. Its adaptation to caves and its behaviour allows its identification as a true troglobiont. Its vibrational signal structure is compared to the calls of other cave-dwelling cixiids.

Domaines: Biodiversité et Ecologie; Interactions entre organismes; Zoologie des invertébrés; Evolution [q-bio.PE]; Systématique, phylogénie et taxonomie

Adeline Soulier‐perkins, David Ouvrard, Hannelore Hoch, Thierry Bourgoin. Singing in the Namoroka Caves, First Record In Situ for a Cave Dwelling Insect: Typhlobrixia namorokensis (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Cixiidae). Journal of Insect Behavior, 2015, 28 (6), pp.704-721. ⟨10.1007/s10905-015-9531-3⟩. ⟨mnhn-02967273⟩