Chaimowiczia: a new Iuiuniscinae genus from Brazil (Oniscidea, Synocheta, Styloniscidae) with the description of two new troglobitic species

First amphibious Crinocheta (Isopoda, Oniscidea) from the Neotropics with a troglobitic status: a relictual distribution

The first freshwater amphibian representative of Crinocheta (Oniscidea) from the Neotropics is described from caves within the Brazilian Cerrado biome, state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Kadiweuoniscusrebellisgen. et sp. nov. is placed in the family Philosciidae. The present work represents a significant contribution to future studies seeking to understand the ecological and evolutionary processes of Crinocheta within the Neotropical region. Moreover, it highlights the importance of biodiversity surveys in subterranean environments toward effective conservation efforts of these unique habitats and their surroundings.

Two new troglobitic species of Iansaoniscus from Brazilian caves (Crustacea, Isopoda, Pudeoniscidae)

Iansaoniscus species are troglobitic terrestrial isopods of the Pudeoniscidae family. In this work two new species are described from caves in the Bahia state, northeastern Brazil; I. leilaesp. nov. from Toca do Gonçalo cave, in the municipality of Campo Formoso; and I. paulaesp. nov. from Lapa do Bode cave in the municipality of Itaeté. Additionally, ecological notes and conservation status are provided for both new species.

Expanding the knowledge on the diversity of the cavernicolous Styloniscidae Vandel, 1952 (Oniscidea, Synocheta) from Brazil, with descriptions of two new species from the semiarid karst regions

Two new species of Pectenoniscus from two caves in karst areas of the Brazilian semiarid region are described. Pectenoniscuspankaru Campos-Filho, Torres & Bichuette, sp. nov. from Gruna do Govi cave, Serra do Ramalho karst area, state of Bahia, and Pectenoniscusfervens Campos-Filho, Taiti & Bichuette, sp. nov. from Toca Coroa do Frade cave, Barra Bonita karst area, state of Piauí. In addition, specimens of Cylindroniscusflaviae from Gruta da Tapagem (= Caverna do Diabo), Açungui karst area were also recorded. An updated diagnosis of Pectenoniscus and a distribution map of the species examined herein are given.

A new species of Chaimowiczia from the karstic Serra do Ramalho plateau, Brazil (Oniscidea, Synocheta, Styloniscidae)

Chaimowiczia belongs to the subfamily Iuiuniscinae, family Styloniscidae, and is currently composed of two troglobitic species: C. tatus and C. uai, both occurring in Brazil. A new species of Styloniscidae found in Brazil (Bahia state, Serra do Ramalho, Serra Verde cave) was allocated into this genus by the antenna flagellum with three articles; rectangular-shaped lateral pereonites epimera not apically acute and apex of pleopod 2 endopod with an acute tip and an acute or rounded lobe directed outwards. The new species, C. obybytyrasp. nov., is here described and rises to 25 the number of troglobitic styloniscidean species known for Brazilian caves.

Unique and fragile diversity emerges from Brazilian caves – two new amphibious species of Xangoniscus Campos-Filho, Araujo & Taiti, 2014 (Oniscidea, Styloniscidae) from Serra do Ramalho karst area, state of Bahia, Brazil

Two new troglobitic species of Xangoniscus are described from two caves of Serra do Ramalho karst area, Bambuí geomorphological group, state of Bahia. Xangoniscus lapaensissp. nov. is described from Gruna Boca da Lapa cave, and X. loboisp. nov. from Gruna da Pingueira II cave. Both species are blind and depigmented and show amphibious habits, as observed for all species of Xangoniscus described until now. Xangoniscus lapaensissp. nov. occurs in travertine pools fed by water of the upper aquifer, and X. loboisp. nov. occurs in a small stream, an upper vadose tributary. Both species occur in fragile microhabitats. Ecological and behavioral data, conservation remarks, and IUCN conservation assessments are included to provide background data for conservation efforts in this unique karst area.