Genetic Diversity and Distribution of Italian Cave Crickets (Dolichopoda): Toward a Better Understanding of Lineage Structure

Research on Italian cave crickets (Dolichopoda) reveals two previously unrecognized lineages within the species D. geniculata, refining our understanding of their genetic diversity and distribution across the Apennines. By sequencing mitochondrial markers (cox1 and 16S) from 18 populations, scientists identified distinct lineages and updated the known ranges for D. geniculata, D. letitiae, and D. schiavazzii in the northern Apennines. These findings contribute to ongoing efforts toward a taxonomic revision of the group, highlighting the importance of cave crickets as key indicators of subterranean biodiversity. The study underscores the need for further exploration to unravel the complex lineage structure of these species.

Garzia, M., Berrilli, E., Lunghi, E., Coppari, L., Delcour, N., & Salvi, D. (2025). Genetic Diversity and Distribution of Italian Cave Crickets (Dolichopoda): Toward a Better Understanding of Lineage Structure. Animals, 15(16), 2429. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15162429