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Nocturnal emergence of Ceuthophilus conicaudus Hubbell from Spider 'Cave (Carlsbad Caverns National Park) just after sunset was initiated by decreased light intensity with surface temperature, surface relative humidity, and moonlight intensity affecting the total number emerging each night. Air currents probably serve to orient cricket movements within the cave. Laboratory studies demonstrated a persistent endogenous rhythm in this cave cricket under constant environmental conditions. This rhythm was modified with light retarding activity and absence of food increasing activity. Decrease in activity in the light would be important in avoiding surface predators. Hunger could serve to stimulate activity while crickets are under constant cave conditions.
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Glenn Campbell (1976) studied this question.
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