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

By

Salvador, Rodrigo B.
Bichuette, Maria Elina.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024-11-8

Original Publication

Zoosystematics and evolution

Volume

100

Series / Issue

Issue: 4

Pages

1543--1556

Subjects

Brazil , Caenogastropoda , Gondwana , molecular phylogenetics , Spiripockia , troglofauna , troglofauna , Truncatelloidea

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia Pensoft

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.136428

 

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.