New records and new species of the troglobitic genus Xangoniscus (Crustacea: Isopoda: Styloniscidae)
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: New collections from caves in Bahia state, northeastern Brazil, have revealed additional occurrences of Xangoniscus species. These findings have led to the identification of previously unknown, taxonomically significant morphological features for the genus, including the presence of a depression on the propodus and an expansion of the carpus in pereopod 6 in males of certain species. This study reports new records of X. aganju and provides updated illustrations of the genus’ type species. Moreover, four new species are described: Xangoniscus paiabare n. sp., collected from caves in the Padre Cave System in Santana municipality; Xangoniscus tymaopeba n. sp., from Serra Solta II and III caves; Xangoniscus ykanhema n. sp., from Google Cave, both in Serra do Ramalho municipality; and Xangoniscus puku n. sp., found in PEA- 445 Cave, in Santa Maria da Vitória municipality, all in Bahia state. The discovery of these new species underscores the remarkable diversity of Xangoniscus in subterranean habitats and highlights the Serra do Ramalho region as a significant center of endemism for the species of this genus. The descriptions of these taxa not only expand the known biodiversity of troglobitic isopods in Brazil but also shed light on their morphological variation, offering valuable insights into the evolutionary adaptations of these cave-dwelling organisms.
Source: Tropical Zoology
DOI: 10.4081/tz.2024.195
Language: English
Subfield: Paleontology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $431
OpenAlex ID: W4405332021