New cavernicolous millipeds of the family Cambalidae (Cambalidea: Spirostreptida) from Texas (U.S.A.) and Mexico

Abstract

lVilh plales 57 (1)-58 (2) Millipeds of the genus Cambala arc abundant in Texas caves. In three widely separated cave areas, there are two allopatric species, of which one is represented by two subspecies. Cilmbala speobia (Chamberlin), a troglobite, surely will also be found in Coahuila. Of the two subspecies of C.reddelli n. sp., the nominate subspecies is a troglophile that also OCCllI'S in epigean sites in l\'ew Mexico, and inornatlls is probably a troglobite. The last is of special interest because of the very weak development of the dOl'sal crests and pore crests. Mexicambala !'llssf:lli, n. gen. and sp., a troglobite from San Luis Potosi, is more highly modified by cave life than any other cambalid. These are the only cambalids that are known from the caves of western North America and }dexico. In the states east of Texas, Cambala minor (Bollman) and occasionally other congeners are collected in the entrance and twilight zone of ca ves. Cambala loomisi (HofTman) occurs in a cave in south-central Alabama. lost of the specimens that were studied in the preparation of this paper were collected by the biological division of the Texas Speleological SllI'vey, of which i\Ir. ,James Heddell is editor. The remaining specimens were collected by Dr. Hichard O

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“…Additionally, there is but one species of Cambala in central Texas caves opposed to several species of Speodesmus from the same area (Causey, 1960, 1964. It should be mentioned, however.…”

“…The genus Cambala is a major element in the millipede fauna of the forests of the eastern United States where it is represented by several species. Its epigean distribution reaches into eastern Texas, but in central Texas it is restricted to caves and represented by only a single species (Causey, 1964), Cambala speobia (Cham. Fig.…”

“…comm.). C reddelli inornatusof gypsum caves of northwest Texas is also thought to be a troglobite (Causey, 1964).…”

The first troglobitic <i>Pseudonannolene</i> from Brazilian iron ore caves (Spirostreptida: Pseudonannolenidae)

“…Regarding the restriction to the subterranean environment, there is no known species of the family that is restricted to these environments, although the spirostreptidan suborder Cambalidea has at least three troglobite species in the New World: Cambala speobia Chamberlin, 1953 and Cambala reddeli inornatus Causey, 1964 both from gypsite caves in Texas (USA) and Mexicambala russelli Causey, 1964 found in caves in Mexico (Causey 1964;Reddell 1994, White & Culver 2012. Depigmentation, reduced number of ocelli (Cambala speobia and Mexicambala russeli are anophthalmic) and increased body size have been considered as troglomorphic characters in these species (Causey 1964). Another specialization feature correlated with the subterranean environment is the elongation of appendages (including sensory) (Golovatch & Kime 2009), and in their respective descriptions only the elongation of the antennae and tarsal claws were cited in Mexicambala russelli (Causey 1964).…”

“…Depigmentation, reduced number of ocelli (Cambala speobia and Mexicambala russeli are anophthalmic) and increased body size have been considered as troglomorphic characters in these species (Causey 1964). Another specialization feature correlated with the subterranean environment is the elongation of appendages (including sensory) (Golovatch & Kime 2009), and in their respective descriptions only the elongation of the antennae and tarsal claws were cited in Mexicambala russelli (Causey 1964).…”