A Highly Troglomorphic New Genus of Sminthuridae (Collembola, Symphypleona) from the Brazilian Semiarid Region

Abstract

Here, we describe the highly troglomorphic Troglobentosminthurus gen. nov. from Água Clara cave system, Caatinga domain, Bahia, Brazil. Troglobentosminthurus luridus gen. nov. sp. nov. has remarkably long antennae, legs and furca, and lacks body pigments, except for small orange eye patches which also show a reduction in the number of eyes (5 + 5) and lens sizes. The overall morphology of the genus, with long and highly sub-segmented antennae, resembles other Sminthurinae of the Temeritas-group, especially Temeritas Richards and Galeriella Ćurčić and Lučić. However, it is unique, especially in the combination of the number of antennae IV subsegments and eyes, frontal head chaetotaxy and empodial complex morphology. Two type specimens have remnants of a mite and another specimen from the new species in their gut contents, supporting the species may be occasional predators and even cannibals. We also provide identification keys and comparative tables to the subfamilies of Sminthuridae and the Temeritas-group of genera.

Beyond Expectations: Recent Discovery of New Cave-Restricted Species Elevates the Água Clara Cave System to the Richest Hotspot of Subterranean Biodiversity in the Neotropics

“…These species predominantly occupy terrestrial (22 species) habitats, with a smaller representation of semiaquatic (5 species) and aquatic species (3 species) [1]. Notably, only a fraction of this assemblage (11 species) has been formally described [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. A recent expedition conducted in September 2023 coincided with an exceptionally dry period in the region, allowing access to previously unexplored sections of the system.…”