Open AccessTWO NEW SPECIES OF MICROPOLYTOXUS ELKINS FROM NORTHERN AUSTRALIA (HEMIPTERA: REDUVIIDAE: SAICINAE)
Author(s) -
Malipatil M. B.,
Howarth F. G.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
australian journal of entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-6055
pISSN - 1326-6756
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1990.tb00312.x
Subject(s) - cave , reduviidae , hemiptera , obligate , biology , key (lock) , genus , ecology , zoology
Micropolytoxus cavicolus sp.n. and M. australis sp.n. are described from northern Australia. The diagnosis of Micropolytoxus Elkins is modified to accommodate the new species, and notes on its relationship with the related saicine genus Polytoxus Costa are given. A key to species of Micropolytoxus is provided. M. cavicolus is known only from lava tube caves near Mt Surprise, north Queensland. It displays a number of adaptations to cave life, including reduced eyes, wings and body pigmentation, and is considered to be an obligate cave species.