The first known troglomorphic, eyeless spider wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): <scp> <i>Troglopompilus miracaecatus</i> </scp> gen. et sp. nov. from the Nullarbor Caves, Western Australia
Abstract Surveys of caves of the Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia, revealed a remarkable assemblage of exceptionally well‐preserved mummified arthropods, comprising Araneae, Blattodea, Coleoptera and Chilopoda, all of which exhibit high levels of troglomorphism, lacking eyes and showing a number of other adaptations. Of note, this arthropod assemblage also included a pompilid wasp which is eyeless and brachypterous and unlike any member of the family known globally. Here, we describe this amazing wasp as Troglopompilus miracaecatus gen. et sp. nov. , and discuss its remarkable morphology and possible affinities and biology.
Authors
- Jessica Marsh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4062-4155)
- Juanita Rodríguez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9922-1978)
- Andrew D. Austin
Institutions
- UCL Australia (AU)
- Australian National Insect Collection (AU)
- The University of Adelaide (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Austral Entomology
- Published
- 2026-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.70061
- Primary Topic
- Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00