Data from: Life in the dark: on the biology of the cavernicolous stonefly Protonemura gevi (Insecta, Plecoptera)

Protonemura gevi is a Palearctic stonefly with unique morphological adaptations for a cavernicolous life. In the present study, the development, nymphal and adult feeding, adult behavior and communication by drumming of this species are investigated. This species inhabits a stream flowing through a cave, in darkness and with a constant temperature. Nymphs of different sizes cohabit throughout the whole year, showing a non-seasonal life cycle. Nymphs at the entrance of the cave feed mainly on coarse particulate organic matter and hyphae, and nymphs at the end of the cave feed principally on detritus and, occasionally, on animal matter. Adults were present year around and aggregated on emergent stones at the end of the cave. No drumming signals were recorded; therefore, this species seems to rely mainly on aggregation to maximize pair encounters. As shown in this study, P. gevi have adaptations suited to life in the dark and the completion of its entire life cycle inside of a cave.盖维原襀（Protonemura gevi）是一种分布于古北界（Palearctic）的石蝇，其为适应穴居生活演化出了独特的形态适应特征。本研究针对该物种的生长发育、若虫与成虫的取食行为、成虫行为及振打通讯方式展开了调查。该物种栖息于洞穴内的溪流中，生境终年黑暗且温度恒定。不同体型的若虫全年共存，呈现出非季节性的生活史。洞穴入口处的若虫主要以粗颗粒有机物质与真菌菌丝为食，而洞穴深处的若虫则主要取食有机碎屑，偶尔会捕食小型动物。成虫全年可见，且集群栖息于洞穴深处的露出石块之上。本研究未记录到任何振打信号，因此该物种似乎主要依赖集群行为来提升个体间的配对概率。本研究结果表明，盖维原襀具备适应黑暗环境的相关特征，且其完整生活史均可在洞穴内完成。