The relationships of the endemic carnivorous sand dune cricket Schizodactylus inexspectatus (Orthoptera: Schizodactylidae) with the nests of sea turtles Chelonia mydas and Caretta caretta on Kazanlı Beach, Türkiye

Uçar A. H., Aymak C., Üzdiyen R. S. E., Başkale E., AYDIN G.

Oriental Insects, vol.60, no.1, pp.41-51, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 60 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/00305316.2025.2555940
  • Journal Name: Oriental Insects
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS
  • Page Numbers: pp.41-51
  • Keywords: Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Kazanlı Beach, Schizodactylus inexspectatus, Türkiye
  • Isparta University of Applied Sciences Affiliated: No

Abstract

The study found that Schizodactylus inexspectatus was not observed on the surface of or inside sea turtle nests on Kazanlı Beach during the nesting season. It was also determined that the burrows of this cricket and the sea turtle nests did not overlap. In order to understand the reasons for the absence of dune crickets in sea turtle nests, we reanalysed the findings regarding the burrow-making behaviour of S. inexspectatus in previous studies. The main factor that appears to limit the progress of the cricket in the sand is humidity. Therefore, we suggest that the dry sand depth of sea turtle nests could serve as an isolation mechanism that prevents crickets’ entering both green and loggerhead sea turtle nests. In addition, new data on the distribution of this endemic cricket are presented in this study.