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Abstract The predaceous fly Neoditomyia farri Coher is currently regarded as having an unknown population distribution in Jamaica. The larvae are known for their production of sticky “fishing lines” that are covered in adhesive droplets for prey capture and hang down from cave walls and ceilings. Published research beyond early observational records of the species is limited to one site—Dromilly Cave in the parish of Trelawny. The Jamaican Caves Organisation has observed larvae of the species at 26 caves visited over the last 2 decades and compiled a database with details of approximate numbers, internal and external environmental conditions, and accurate positions. Based on these records, we present evidence that the species is not cave obligate and describe factors that may suggest potential additional sites where the species can be found. Taken together, our observations paint a picture of a species which is ubiquitous and not under discernible threat, making it an excellent candidate for further research on its unique life history and behavior, which remain poorly understood.
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This content will become publicly available on March 24, 2026
On the troglobitic velvet worm Speleoperipatus spelaeus Peck, 1975 (Onychophora, Peripatidae): assessing the status of a Critically Endangered Jamaican invertebrate
The velvet wormSpeleoperipatus spelaeusPeck, 1975 is one of the rarest velvet worm species reported, as it is only known from its type locality, Pedro Great Cave, Clarendon Parish, Jamaica. The type material of the species, the only four specimens available in known scientific collections, was obtained in the early 1970’s, and since then, no additional specimens have been available for research. More recently, observations of three probably conspecific specimens by the Jamaican Caves Organisation, not collected, have been made in a different location, Swansea Cave, Saint Catherine Parish. Here we report and document five specimens of this rare species from the type locality, Pedro Great Cave, as well as some observations about their behavior. Placing this species in a phylogenetic context should be attempted in the future, to better understand the significance ofSpeleoperipatus spelaeusand its evolutionary origins, its relationship to the Swansea Cave specimens, and to determine what are its closest relatives and whether those are other Jamaican species or velvet worms from other geographical areas.
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- PAR ID:
- 10596339
- Publisher / Repository:
- Subterranean Biology
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Subterranean Biology
- Volume:
- 51
- ISSN:
- 1768-1448
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 49 to 59
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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