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The Amazon is renowned worldwide for its biological significance, but it also harbors substantial mineral reserves. Among these, the ferruginous geosystems of the region are critical for iron ore extraction, accounting for 10% of Brazil's export revenue. Additionally, this region holds a significant speleological heritage with more than 1,000 caves. However, cave conservation efforts are often in conflict with land use, necessitating mediation through environmental regulations. While conservation decisions typically consider only the caves' characteristics, such an approach fails to account for the interactions among cave communities and their surrounding landscape. This poses a challenge to reserve design for cave conservation purposes. To address this issue, we assessed the predictors that influence the similarity among cave communities, suggesting the use of this parameter as a proxy for subterranean connectivity. Applying graph theory, we proposed a tool to aid in the selection of priority caves for conservation purposes. Our study involved the sampling of invertebrates in 69 iron ore caves and analyzing 28 environmental variables related to these subterranean habitats and adjacent landscape. Our analysis revealed that landscape and habitat characteristics are more important than geographical distance in determining patterns of similarity among caves. Our graph approach highlighted densely interconnected clusters based on similarity. However, specific caves stood out for harboring exclusive fauna and/or exhibiting habitat specificity, making them unique in the study area. Thus, we recommend prioritizing cave clusters for conservation, assembling both singular caves and others that influence them. It is crucial to note that protocols for the protection of subterranean biodiversity must consider measures that encompass both the caves and the surrounding landscape. Our methodology provides insights into the connectivity among caves, identifies existing groups, highlights singular (or unique) cavities that require preservation, and recognizes those influencing these unique habitats. This methodological advancement is crucial for the development of better conservation policies for the speleological heritage in areas under constant economic pressure.

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A new troglobitic species of Chelodesmidae, Cayenniola albaserratan. sp., from the Água Clara cave system, Caatinga Domain, Bahia, Brazil is described. The new species is only the sixth known troglobitic chelodesmid, the first troglobitic species in the Priodesmini, and the first member of the tribe recorded from the state of Bahia. Unique among the Priodesmini, male C. albaserratan. sp. possess greatly elongated pre-gonopodal tarsal claws and differ from the only congener, Cayenniola styliger (Jeekel, 1963),by a combination of gonopodal and somatic characters including classical troglomorphic traits such as a nearly unpigmented body and remarkably long antennae, legs, and tarsal claws. Cayenniola styliger is only known from the type locality in the Amazon rainforest of coastal French Guiana, suggesting that C. albaserratan. sp. may represent a relictual species from the Caatinga Domain of Brazil. We provide ecological notes and evaluate the potential threats to the habitat of C. albaserratan. sp., considering both the subterranean environment and the surrounding areas.

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Species of the Brazilian cave barklouse genus Neotrogla (Psocodea: "Psocoptera": Trogiomorpha: Prionoglarididae: Sensitibillini) are known to have a "female penis (gynosome)" that functions as an intromittent organ inserted into the membranous pouches in the simple male genital chamber during copulation to receive semen. However, the functions of other male and female genital structures and the copulatory processes of Neotrogla were completely unknown to date. Based on µCT observation of the male and female postabdomen and connected muscles both before and in copula, we clarified the functions of the male and female genital structures. In addition, based on the analyses of the established 3D models, we concluded that precise and rigid contact of multiple genital structures, and step-by-step releases of each holding mechanism achieved by the cooperation of both sexes are involved in the copulatory processes. The coevolution between the male and female genital structures in Neotrogla may provide a new example for the evolution of tolerance traits.

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Three new pseudoscorpion species, Pseudochthonius pali sp. nov., Pseudochthonius diamachi sp. nov., and Pseudochthonius koinopoliteia sp. nov., are herein described from caves of Bahia state, Brazil. They can be distinguished from congeners mainly by the absence of eyes or eyespots, chelal and cheliceral dentition, coxal chaetotaxy and body size. Some ecological remarks on each species, possible threats, recommendations for future research and a key to the Pseudochthonius species from Brazil are provided.

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Chelodesmidae is one of the most species rich families within the Myriapoda. However, little is known regarding their association with caves. We provide a list of all Chelodesmidae taxa reported from caves, map their worldwide distribution, and discuss the troglomorphic features of the group. A total of 25 species and subspecies from 20 genera and 2 subfamilies have been recorded from 59 caves and cave systems in 11 countries. These numbers represent a surprisingly modest proportion (~3%) of the approximately 800 described species in the family. Records of cave-dwelling chelodesmids appear to be geographically biased with most taxa reported from the Neotropics, likely due to the greater diversity of the group in the region. The lack of published records from the Afrotropics can undoubtedly be attributed to low sampling efforts. In addition, many studies focusing on cave invertebrates, especially in the tropics, often fail to identify chelodesmid taxa to the species level, thus precluding their inclusion on checklists. The majority of the Chelodesmidae reported from caves do not display obvious adaptations to a subterranean lifestyle and are not troglomorphic. The five troglobitic taxa indicated in this study may represent relictual lineages suggesting that few, if any, radiations of chelodesmids within caves have occurred in the past. Increased efforts are needed to bridge the gap between our current understanding and the true diversity of the group in these fragile and threatened habitats, which is necessary to allow policy makers to prioritize appropriate and effective conservation efforts, including the protection of environments severely impacted by human activities.

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ABSTRACT Scarabeoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) present more than 2000 species recorded from all over Brazil. They have been scarcely recorded from caves, and truly troglobitic species are yet to be found in the country. In this study, we carried out a review of all existing scarab beetles deposited until 2017 in the Coleção de Invertebrados Subterrâneos de Lavras (ISLA), at the Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA) (Minas Gerais, Brazil), one of the most important collections of subterranean invertebrates in South America. Ninety-two individuals belonging to 52 species were recorded, distributed in six families (Cetoniidae, Hybosoridae, Melolonthidae, Passalidae, Scarabaeidae and Trogidae). Scarabaeidae was the most diverse of them, representing more than 50% of the total of species recorded. We found Scarabeoidea beetles in 51 of the ~ 1600 caves examined, distributed in nine Brazilian states: Alagoas, Bahia, Distrito Federal, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Pará, Piauí, and Tocantins. Our results provide evidence that Scarabaeoidea beetles are not frequent in Brazilian caves, and their records in this kind of environment are mostly accidental. Exceptions include Trogidae and Aphodiinae species, which may be associated with bat guano. Our study presents the first list of Scarabaeoidea species sampled in Brazilian caves.

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A new sun-spider species of the ibirapemussu species-group of the genus Gaucha is described based on males and a female collected in Southeastern Brazil. The newly described species can be readily distinguished from its congeners by the reduction of the cheliceral fixed finger, distal tooth (FD), closely positioned and smaller than the medial tooth (FM); the presence of cheliceral fixed finger profondal subproximal (PFSP) and retrofondal submedial (RFSM) teeth; and by the cheliceral movable finger, medial tooth (MM) well developed, larger than submedial tooth (MSM) and smaller than proximal tooth (MP). This is the thirteenth described species in the genus Gaucha, all known from South America.

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A new species of palpigrade from the cave Gruta Cabeceira d'água in Goiás state in Central Brazil is described and illustrated based on 11 specimens: five adult males, two adult females, two immatures C and two immatures B. Eukoenenia audax sp. nov. was collected mainly in the sand banks near the main water stream, where flooding and important water fluctuations occur in the cave. The new Brazilian species shows three uncommon morphological traits: the presence of 7 + 7 setae on the propeltidium, one deuto-tritosternal seta, and 9-11 blades in the lateral organs; these characters relate Eukoenenia audax sp. nov. with only a handful of species in the world. The presence of a pair of cavities was identified in the intersegmental furrow between opisthosomal sternites III-IV, IV-V, V-VI and VI-VII. A comprehensive study of this new character was performed in other species available to the authors, and a discussion of its possible origin and function is presented.

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Spelaeobochica mahnerti sp. n., found in a limestone cave located in the municipality of Monjolos (Minas Gerais state, Southeastern Brazil), is described. It differs from congeneric species mainly by the rallum with 3 apically dentate blades, the position of the trichobothrium ib in the far distal half of the hand dorsum (near the base of fixed finger), the smooth subterminal setae, and by the arolia that are a little longer than the claws. A key to the species of Spelaeobochica is provided, as well as information on the habitat and threats for this new species. We further discuss troglomorphic traits in Brazilian species of Bochicidae.

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Typhloroncus guatemalensis sp. n., found in Gruta de Lanquín, a limestone cave located in the municipality of Lanquín (Alta Verapaz, Guatemala), is described. It can be distinguished from the congeneric species mainly by the presence of lanceolate ventrodistal telotarsal setae on all legs; by the chelal teeth, which exhibit a varied morphology; by the number of trichobothria (30‒32); and by its measurements. Typhloroncus guatemalensis sp. n. represents the first record for the genus in Guatemala and is considered to be troglobitic.

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The spiders of the genus Loxosceles have been reported from caves in several regions of the world. Despite their commonness in subterranean habitats, the occurrence of troglomorphic species is quite rare. A new cave-dwelling species found in the Brazilian Caatinga can be included in the restricted list of troglomorphic Loxosceles by presenting the following troglomorphic traits: eyes with reduced diameter, absence of pigment around the eyes, appendage elongation and pale coloration. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe a new highly troglomorphic species of Loxosceles from Brazil, corresponding to the first troglomorphic species from South America. Loxosceles troglobia sp. nov. belongs to the gaucho group and can be distinguished from the other species of this group mainly by the presence of the troglomorphic characteristics mentioned above and by the shape of the female spermathecae and the male palp. The morphological traits, together with the fact that the new species was found only in inner and very humid portions of two nearby caves, indicate that it is troglobitic.

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The absence of eyes in Hyalella (Hyalellidae, Amphipoda) is typical of obligate groundwater-dwelling species. However, a new intriguing blind amphipod of this genus was found in epigean streams from the Iron Quadrangle (state of Minas Gerais, Brazil). Hyalella troglofugia sp nov. presents antenna 1 shorter than antenna 2, gnathopod 1 propodus inner face with four setae, gnathopod 2 propodus posterior margin longer than palm, dactylus slightly longer than palm, pereopod 5 shorter than others and uropod 3 shorter than telson. The absence of eyes and presence of reduced U3 and pereopods of H. troglofugia sp nov. may suggest that such species also inhabits interstitial subterranean spaces. Moreover, the presence of the new species on streams associated to distinct hydrological zones indicates that this species may be present in different types of subterranean habitats of the region. We hypothesize that at least part of the population of this species may have left the subterranean environment looking for food and when out of this habitat it preferentially inhabits high water flow stretches of the stream in function of predation avoidance.

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Spelaeobochica goliath sp. n., found in a limestone cave located in the municipality of Ibiracatu (Minas Gerais, Brazil), is described. It can be distinguished from the other species of the genus mainly by the slight angular shape of the anterior margin of the carapace, distal position of the trichobothrium est relative to st on the movable finger, isb in a position much nearer to level of sb than to that of esb, and by its pedipalpal measurements and proportions. It shares many morphological features with S. iuiu.

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Based on samples collected during surveys of Brazilian cave fauna, seven earwig species are reported: Cylindrogaster cavernicola Kamimura, sp. n., Cylindrogaster sp. 1, Cylindrogaster sp. 2, Euborellia janeirensis, Euborellia brasiliensis, Paralabellula dorsalis, and Doru luteipes, as well as four species identified to the (sub)family level. To date, C. cavernicola Kamimura, sp. n. has been recorded only from cave habitats (but near entrances), whereas the other four organisms identified at the species level have also been recorded from non-cave habitats. Wings and female genital structures of Cylindrogaster spp. (Cylindrogastrinae) are examined for the first time. The genital traits, including the gonapophyses of the 8th abdominal segment shorter than those of the 9th segement, and venation of the hind wings of Cylindrogastrinae correspond to those of the members of Diplatyidae and not to Pygidicranidae. This is the first synopsis of cave-dwelling earwigs of Brazil, one of the most species-rich areas of Dermaptera in the world.

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A new species was recently found in a cave from Southeastern Brazil, in the state of Minas Gerais, which is here described. Considering all the species of the genus, Spelaeogammarus uai sp. nov. is very similar to S. santanensis and S. sanctus, although the new species differs mainly in relation to the number of plumose setae in the apical margin of maxilliped inner plate, number of setae in the anterior margin of gnathopod 1 basis and number of setae in the posterior margin of gnathopod 2 basis. Furthermore, the ratio "length/width" of several articles of the new species is higher than in other species. An identification key of the Spelaeogammarus genus is provided, as well as a complemented multivariate statistical approach of the morphometry of the genus based on a previous work of the genus.

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Two new species of troglobiotic Brazilian palpigrades are described: Eukoenenia jequitinhonha sp. n., found in Lapa do Córrego do Vieira cave (Caraí, Minas Gerais) and E. cavatica sp. n., found in Cazanga cave (Arcos, Minas Gerais). The importance of documenting the occurrence of troglobiotic species, even if they are represented by only a single specimen, is discussed.

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There are five described species of the cave-dwelling amphipods of the genus Spelaeogammarus, all of them inhabiting caves on the Brazilian state of Bahia. A new species of this genus is here described, which is closely related to the already known species S. santanensis and S. titan. Spelaeogammarus sanctus sp. nov. differs from its congeneric species basically by the presence of more than 18 bifid setae on the dorsal margin of uropod 3 outer ramus and telson with one apical and two subapical stout setae, while the other species generally present less setae on the third uropod and more setae on telson. An identification key and an updated table of the Spelaeogammarus species diagnosis are provided, as well as a multivariate statistical approach of morphological variations among the species.

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The new subfamily Iuiuniscinae, Styloniscidae, is erected for the new genus Iuiuniscus and the new species I. iuiuensis, which is described from cave of the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. A special ecological character is shown here for the first time for a New World Oniscidea: the construction of mud shelters. An introduction addressing the systematics of Synocheta with emphasis on Styloniscidae Vandel, 1952 is provided, as well as general comments about the dependence of water in some Oniscidea and ecological traits of amphibious Synocheta. The problems referring to nomenclature, taxonomy and the interrelationships in Styloniscidae are discussed.

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A new troglobitic species of the amphipod family Artesiidae Holsinger, 1980 is described from a cave in the municipality of Santa Maria da Vitória, in the Brazilian state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. Spelaeogammarus titan sp. nov. differs from the others in the genus by its body length, rising up to 18.3 mm, the antenna 1 with accessory flagellum 6-articulate, propodus of the first gnathopod 1.8 X longer than basis, the largest in the genus, coxa 5 with posterior lobe slightly concave, inner ramus of pleopods with 10 to 13 setae, outer ramus of uropod 3 with 22 simple setae, and telson with 1 apical plus 3 subapical stout setae in each lobe. With this study, the knowledge of Spelaeogammarus is improved to 5 species, all of them exclusive to caves in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. A comparative table with the diagnostic characters of the species of Spelaeogammarus is provided.

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