The first hypothelminorheic Crustacea (Amphipoda, Dogielinotidae, Hyalella) from South America

By

Rodrigues, Stella
Bueno, Alessandra Angélica de Pádua
Ferreira, Rodrigo Lopes

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2012

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

236

Pages

65-80

Subjects

Amphipoda , Biodiversity , Conservation , Hyalella , hypothelminorheic

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.236.3930

 

Abstract

Most of known troglobiotic species occur in caves and subterranean environments from great depths. However, recently more attention has been given to other subterranean environments, such as the hypothelminorheic habitats. It comprises the most superficial among all subterranean habitats. This kind of environment is characterized by the constant presence of wet spots, absence of light and very particular abiotic characteristics, comprising unique species. The first hypothelminorheic Amphipoda from South America is here described, a new species of the genus Hyalella which occurs in a wetland on Southern Brazil. The new species differs from other troglobiotics of the genus by the presence of a curved seta on the inner ramus of uropod 1 and elongation of appendices, as the first pair of antennae and peraeopods 6 and 7. However, human impacts in the area where the new species occurs have changed heavily their habitat, which may have led the species to a critical level of threat or even extinction, demonstrating the fragility of this environment.a