Work

Idiopyrgus Pilsbry, 1911 (Gastropoda, Tomichiidae): a relict genus radiating into subterranean environments

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The freshwater gastropod fauna in Brazil presently consists of circa 180 known species, though this is deemed an underestimate. The little-studied cavern faunas have been considered a potential source of undescribed species, particularly regarding the Truncatelloidea. Here, based on new collection efforts in caves in Bahia state, Brazil, we describe two new troglobitic species of Idiopyrgus (Tomichiidae): Idiopyrgus eowynaesp. nov. and Idiopyrgus meriadocisp. nov. We improve upon the previous molecular phylogeny of this genus and take the opportunity to reclassify Spiripockia umbraticola Simone & Salvador, 2021, as Idiopyrgus umbraticola (Simone & Salvador, 2021), comb. nov. The genus Idiopyrgus now contains ten species, reinforcing the presence of Tomichiidae in Brazil as a relict lineage that largely radiated into cave environments. Furthermore, considering that so far only snapshots of their biology are known, we have collated all the information currently available from the literature and field observations on the cavernicolous species of Idiopyrgus. Notably, due to human action in the area where the two new species have been found, they can already be considered vulnerable.

Source: Zoosystematics and Evolution

DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.136428

Authors: Rodrigo Brincalepe Salvador, Maria Elina Bichuette

Institutions: University of Helsinki, Finnish Museum of Natural History, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Universidade Federal de São Carlos

Language: English

Topic: Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy

Subfield: Paleontology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,078

Funders: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade