Integrative taxonomic revision of the Australian cave cricket Speleotettix Chopard, 1944 (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae): New species, distribution and conservation implications

Abstract

Cave crickets, also called wētā, are an important component of subterranean realms globally, but the true diversity of the group is poorly known. Speleotettix Chopard, 1944 contains two species from southeast Australia, Speleotettix tindalei Chopard, 1944 and Speleotettix chopardi (Karny, 1935). However, the initial description of the genus was poorly characterised, and its taxonomy has remained unclear since. Here, we take an integrative molecular and morphological approach to redescribe Speleotettix and describe three new species: Speleotettix aolae Beasley-Hall, sp. nov. from Victoria and Speleotettix binoomea Beasley-Hall, sp. nov. from New South Wales, both found in limestone caves, and Speleotettix palaga Beasley-Hall, sp. nov. from mineshafts in Victoria. To provide consistency in future work on the group, we also redescribe S. tindalei and treat S. chopardi as a nomen dubium. Finally, we transfer the threatened species Cavernotettix craggiensis Richards, 1974, an island species from Tasmania's Bass Strait, into the genus as Speleotettix craggiensis (Richards, 1974) comb. nov. In so doing, we increase the number of described rhaphidophorid species in Australia to 27 and significantly expand the distribution of Speleotettix, making it the most widespread of the Australian genera currently known. As all members of Speleotettix are short-range endemics at risk of decline, these findings have implications for their future conservation management.