Description of a New Species of the Genus Troglophilus Krauss, 1879 (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) from Northern Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

In this paper a new species of cave crickets Troglophilus (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae) from northern Anatolia is described as Troglophilus aspegi Taylan and Sirin sp. nov.. Considering the other already recognised nine species in Anatolia, there are now total 10 species of Troglophilus that currently inhabit the caves and epigean habitats of Turkey. The new species is restricted to National Park of Kure Daglari in Bartin province and known only in one locality (Sipahiler cave). Troglophilus aspegi is morphologically distinguishable from the other nine Troglophilus species present in Turkey due to their small size, male tenth tergite, ovipositor shape, reddish-light brown body color. New species differs from the morphologically closest T tatyanae for body color, tenth tergite and epiphallus shape in male, subgenital plate shape in both sexes, length of the appendages and spinulation of the legs. On the other hand, these new data show that geographical distribution of Troglophilus is not only restricted with north eastern Anatolia but also in caves from north western section of Blacksea Region of Turkey.