Species conservation profiles of cave-adapted terrestrial isopods from Portugal

Domitiuslusitanicus (Araneae, Nesticidae) - an umbrella species for the conservation of troglobionts in the Estremenho Karst Massif, Portugal

Background

Domitiuslusitanicus (Fage, 1931) is a troglobiont spider, endemic from caves in the largest karst massif in Portugal, the Estremenho. It was the first described cave-adapted species from Portugal, but the male of the species was only described in 1988.

New information

Over the last two decades, the knowledge on the distribution of D.lusitanicus increased significantly. We assess the conservation status of D.lusitanicus, providing new information on its extent of occurrence and the anthropogenic threats and present a IUCN Red List profile. D.lusitanicus faces various anthropogenic threats, such as habitat loss, agriculture, pollution and tourism impacts. Despite a large part of its distribution is included in a Natural Park, it expands outside of the areas deemed for protection in the Natura 2000 network. This species has the widest spread distribution of all troglobionts in the Estremenho Massif; therefore, it may be used as an umbrella species for the protection of other cave-adapted species of invertebrates of the massif.

Cave-adapted millipedes from Portugal: species conservation profiles

Background

Amongst the cave-dwelling millipedes (Diplopoda), there are several endemic species in Portugal with a very small geographical distribution. These species play an important role in the decomposition of organic matter in subterranean ecosystems and are vulnerable to disturbance from human activities, such as habitat destruction, pollution infiltrating from the surface and cave tourism.

New information

We present the IUCN Red List profiles for cave-adapted millipedes (Diplopoda) from Portugal and propose conservation measures to prevent extinction. Overall, cave-adapted millipedes from Portugal represent an endemic part of the country's biodiversity and conservation efforts will help maintain the delicate ecological balance of subterranean ecosystems.