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

Abstract

Pseudonannolene spelaea n. sp. is the first strictly cave-dwelling species described for the family Pseudonannolenidae. It is found in iron ore caves in the Brazilian Amazon. The family Pseudonannolenidae is exclusively Neotropical and frequently found in caves of Brazil, from which 20 species are known. The new species is compared with its congeners and with related cave-dwelling species. The family Pseudonannolenidae is discussed, and comments are presented on the conservation status of the caves where the species is found, which potentially may be the target of anthropogenic impacts resulting from iron ore extraction.

The first two hotspots of subterranean biodiversity in South America

“…In fact, from the approximately 2,000 sampled caves in Brazil, only a few hundred are inhabited by obligate cave fauna. The recent discoveries of troglobitic species in Brazil are certainly due to an improvement on the sampling efforts in many previously non-prospected areas in Brazil (Prevorčnik et al 2012, Ázara and Ferreira 2013, Fišer et al 2013, Iniesta et al 2012, Iniesta and Ferreira 2013, 2013a, 2013b, Bastos-Pereira and Ferreira 2015, Vasconcelos and Ferreira 2016.…”

“…Since most of the karstic areas of the world are situated in temperate regions, a higher cave biodiversity can be expected in mid-latitudes because caves have served as refugia for many ancestors of obligate cave faunas during strong climate changes in the past (Bar 1968, Romero 2009). However, the high numbers of new species recently discovered in Brazilian caves (Prevorčnik et al 2012, Ázara and Ferreira 2013, Fišer et al 2013, Iniesta et al 2012, Iniesta and Ferreira 2013, 2013a, 2013b, Bastos-Pereira and Ferreira 2015, Vasconcelos and Ferreira 2016 and their high degree of troglomorphism indicate that the events of climatic changes in the Neotropics, even if not so severe as in temperate regions, could have led to the isolation of subterranean lineages. Alternatively, other mechanisms of isolation (e.g.…”

Pseudonannolene lundi n. sp., a new troglobitic millipede from a Brazilian limestone cave (Spirostreptida: Pseudonannolenidae)

“…Unfortunately, other caves that are not considered of maximum relevance can be severely impacted. Currently, seven troglobitic millipedes species are known from Brazil (Schubart 1946a(Schubart , 1946b(Schubart , 1957Golovatch & Wytwer 2004;Iniesta et al 2012;Iniesta & Ferreira 2013a, 2013b. Among these, two species belong to the genus Pseudonannolene Silvestri, 1895: P. spelaea Iniesta & Ferreira 2013 from iron ore caves of Para state (Iniesta & Ferreira 2013a), and P. ambuatinga Iniesta & Ferreira 2013 from limestone caves of Minas Gerais state (Iniesta & Ferreira 2013b).…”

“…Currently, seven troglobitic millipedes species are known from Brazil (Schubart 1946a(Schubart , 1946b(Schubart , 1957Golovatch & Wytwer 2004;Iniesta et al 2012;Iniesta & Ferreira 2013a, 2013b. Among these, two species belong to the genus Pseudonannolene Silvestri, 1895: P. spelaea Iniesta & Ferreira 2013 from iron ore caves of Para state (Iniesta & Ferreira 2013a), and P. ambuatinga Iniesta & Ferreira 2013 from limestone caves of Minas Gerais state (Iniesta & Ferreira 2013b). For these species, the strong depigmentation, a reduction of the number of ocelli and a relative decrease in body size in comparison to non-troglobitic species are recognized as troglomorphic traits (Iniesta & Ferreira 2013a).…”

“…Among these, two species belong to the genus Pseudonannolene Silvestri, 1895: P. spelaea Iniesta & Ferreira 2013 from iron ore caves of Para state (Iniesta & Ferreira 2013a), and P. ambuatinga Iniesta & Ferreira 2013 from limestone caves of Minas Gerais state (Iniesta & Ferreira 2013b). For these species, the strong depigmentation, a reduction of the number of ocelli and a relative decrease in body size in comparison to non-troglobitic species are recognized as troglomorphic traits (Iniesta & Ferreira 2013a). In this paper, we describe a new, third troglobitic species of Pseudonannolene, from a Brazilian limestone cave in Minas Gerais state.…”