The extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 4 km².

Iberoporus pluto is a groundwater-adapted beetle known from a stream in a single cave, located in north-eastern Sicó karst area. The cave stream, where it was found, flows in a subterranean system of approximately 15 km of horizontal implementation (Ribera and Reboleira 2019).

A decline in EOO is inferred due to the degradation of the cave by anthropogenic impact as Soprador do Carvalho Cave is subject to recreational visitation and direct trampling on the subterranean stream.

No decline in AOO has been observed, but it is inferred due to the decline and vulnerability of the habitat.

Iberoporus pluto occurs in a single cave, Soprador do Carvalho, in the Sicó karst area in central Portugal and it is under moderate disturbance (Ribera and Reboleira 2019).

This cave is the only known location in the historical range, as several caves in the same karst massif nearby have been sampled and this species has never been found elsewhere. Therefore, the current trend in number of locations is stable.

Only one specimen (female) of this species is known from a single location in central Portugal.

The specimen was collected in the bottom of a clay pool connected to a subterranean stream (Ribera and Reboleira 2019).

Soprador do Carvalho Cave is located in the vicinity of a village, agricultural fields and a quarry (NEC 2020, Neves et al. 2005). It is also affected by touristic activities as tourists visit the cave and step on the stream (Ribera and Reboleira 2019).

The genus Iberoporus Castro & Delgado, 2001 is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula and exclusively stygobiont (Castro and Delgado 2001, Ribera 2003, Ribera and Reboleira 2019, Ribera et al. 2002). Iberoporus pluto has extreme troglomorphic traits (eyeless and depigmentation) and unusually elongated legs not adapted for swimming (Ribera and Reboleira 2019).

The cave is explored for tourism and visitors step over the habitat where the species was found (Ribera and Reboleira 2019). Other threats include the proximity to a quarry located at 1.4 km from the cave entrance. It is also 67 m from the closest houses and is surrounded by agricultural lands. The subterranean stream flows below habitational areas and run-off of urban wastewater directly to the stream is observable (Reboleira et al. 2011b).

Measures should be taken to prevent infiltration of wastewaters from the village into the cave stream. The nearby quarry has been reported in the national media to be the source of the infiltration of small particles of quarry dust that have been deposited all over the gallery of Algarinho Cave by flood events. This type of slurry is known to perniciously impact groundwater quality (Piccini et al. 2019) and Algarinho Cave is part of the Dueça Speleological System, therefore, hydrologically connected to Soprador do Carvalho Cave.

The extent of occurrence (EOO) and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) are both 4 km².

Trechus machadoi is a troglobiont beetle known only in the Alcobertas Cave and in a countinuous mesovoid shallow substratum (MSS) located in the Serra dos Candeeiros subunit of the Estremenho karst massif, central Portugal. The cave extends horizontally for approximately 210 m (Reboleira 2007, Reboleira 2012, Reboleira et al. 2009) and the MSS area is located 80 m from the type locality (Eusébio 2020).

Despite intensive sampling in the type locality (cave), no specimens have been found in there since the species description. Only recent sampling in the MSS contiguous to the cave retrieved specimens.

AOO decline has been inferred due to the vulnerability of the habitat.

Trechus machadoi is known only from the Alcobertas Cave and from the adjacent MSS, located approximately 80 m from each other. Its distribution is likely to be confined to the subterranean habitats of the Serra dos Candeeiros subunit (Reboleira et al. 2009). This population is under intense disturbance.

Alcobertas is the only known location in the historical range, therefore, the current trend in number of locations is stable.

The type locality was monitored for six months in 2009, but no specimens were sampled or observed, most likely due to the human impact on this cave described below (Reboleira 2007).

So far, only one population is known from the Alcobertas Cave, which is also dispersed in the contiguous mesovoid shallow substratum at 0.5 m depth in scree slopes (Reboleira 2007, Reboleira et al. 2009, Reboleira et al. 2010).

The Alcobertas Cave was subject of a large anthropogenic intervention at the beginning of the 1970s, with the intention to transform it to receive mass tourism. During that process, a second entry was opened near the end of the gallery which induced significant changes in the climatology of the cave (Reboleira 2007). Many explosions inside the cave have resulted in large accumulations of powdery residues that can still be observed nowadays, which, associated with the air fluxes between the two entrances, may have displaced the Trechus machadoi population to other parts of the subterranean network (Reboleira et al. 2009). The Alcobertas Cave is currently used for tourism by a local association. Recently, Trechus machadoi was collected during winter at a depth of 50 cm in the mesovoid shallow substratum (MSS) in scree slopes close to the type locality (Eusébio 2020, Eusébio et al. 2021). These scree slopes are classified as western Mediterranean and thermophile deposits and protected by the Natura 2000 network (Eusébio et al. 2021).

Trechus machadoi is a troglobiont with reduced eyes and body depigmentation. It lives exclusively in subterranean habitats and is only known from a single cave and from scree slopes habitats in the Serra dos Candeeiros subunit of the Estremenho karst massif in central Portugal (Eusébio 2020, Reboleira 2007, Reboleira et al. 2009).

Since the 1970s, this cave has been intensively explored for touristic activities. During that period, a second entrance has been opened, drastically changing the environment (Reboleira 2007, Reboleira et al. 2009). The scree slope, where it was recently found, is disturbed by herds of grazing goats (Eusébio 2020, Eusébio et al. 2021). Both sites are located 640 m from a field of energy windmills, 1 km from a quarry, 850 m from agricultural lands and 690 m from the nearest village.

The habitats are protected under the EU “Rede Natura 2000” (Directive 1992, ICNB 2000), but the species lacks a formal protection framework. Monitoring of the population trends and extent of distribution in the underground in the nearby areas is crucial to understand the species' abundance patterns and life cycle. Improvements are needed to reduce the impacts of the quarry and windmills on the habitat.

The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 73.4 km² and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is 24 km².

Trechus gamae is a troglobiont beetle, known from five caves and from the mesovoid shallow substrate (scree slopes), all located in the Santo António Plateau, the central subunit of the Estremenho karst massif (Eusébio 2020, Eusébio et al. 2021, Reboleira 2007, Reboleira 2012, Reboleira and Ortuño 2011, Reboleira et al. 2009).

Trechus gamae was found in five caves: Algar de Marradinhas II, Algar das Gralhas VII, Algar do Pena, Algar da Arroteia and Algar do Ladoeiro, all located in the Santo António Plateau, the central subunit of the Estremenho karst massif. Recently, a single specimen was found in the mesovoid shallow substrate at 0.5 m depth in scree slopes of Fórnea, which is also located in the Santo António Plateau, showing that this species may also disperse through more superficial subterranean habitats (Eusébio 2020). The species is geographically isolated within the subterranean network of the Estremenho's massif subunit Santo António Plateau (Eusébio 2020, Reboleira 2007, Reboleira 2012, Reboleira and Ortuño 2011, Reboleira et al. 2009, Reboleira et al. 2010).

Amongst the six known localities with populations of T. gamae, Algar das Gralhas VII Cave had the largest population, followed by Algar do Pena Cave, Algar das Marradinhas Cave and Algar da Arroteia Cave (Reboleira 2007, Reboleira and Ortuño 2011). Algar do Ladoeiro Cave and the mesovoid shallow substrate in scree slopes in Fórnea (contiguous to Algar da Arroteia Cave) had the smallest population (Reboleira et al. 2009; Eusébio et al. 2021). All the known populations are within the Santo António Plateau.

All the subpopulations face threats derived from intensive quarrying activity, which changes land use and disturbs the natural processes of the habitat. The subpopulations from Algar do Ladoeiro, Algar das Marradinhas II, Algar da Arroteia and Fórnea face threats of pollution and land use disturbance due to the proximity of urbanised areas.

Trechus gamae was found in the deepest parts of the caves, from 50 to 95 m depth, all with high humidity levels (> 98%) and temperatures ranging from 13.5ºC (in Algar do Pena) to 17ºC (in Algar de Marradinhas II) (Reboleira 2007, Reboleira 2012, Reboleira and Ortuño 2011, Reboleira et al. 2009). The caves where the species were found are located at an altitude ranging from 250 to 485 m a.s.l. (Reboleira and Ortuño 2011). More recently, a single specimen was collected in MSS traps in scree slopes in Fórnea, which is located between the Algar da Arroteia and the Algar do Ladoeiro Caves. The MSS specimen was collected in the winter, in a pitfall trap placed at 50 cm deep into the scree slope (Eusébio et al. 2021).

Trechus gamae was the only cave-adapted beetle collected in the caves and MSS of the Santo António Plateau and it shows a strict subterranean lifestyle (Eusébio et al. 2021, Reboleira 2007, Reboleira 2012, Reboleira and Ortuño 2011, Reboleira et al. 2009, Reboleira et al. 2010). Both adults and larvae were found in the sampled caves and some seasonal abundance variation was recorded, being more abundant in spring and summer (Reboleira and Ortuño 2011).

The distribution area of the species is all covered by the Natural Park of Serras d'Aire e Candeeiros. However, intense quarry activity is currently ongoing in the surrounding areas of the known localities. Algar do Pena is located 300 m from a quarry and Algar das Gralhas VII 168 m from the same quarry. Algar do Ladoeiro's entrance is 840 m from the closest urban areas, Algar das Marradinhas II is located 1.5 km from the nearest village and Algar da Arroteia is located 112 m from the closest house and 1.3 km from a quarry. Algar do Pena Cave hosts a laboratory and is open for visits upon previous booking. Fórnea is located 595 m from the closest house and 1.9 km from a quarry. The distribution area faces severe groundwater contamination (Reboleira et al. 2013b), due to the generalised lack of proper wastewater treatment (Reboleira et al. 2011b).

Although the habitat is protected by law under the “Rede Natura 2000” (Directive 1992, ICNB 2000), the species is not. Population trends need to be monitored in order to better understand the species' abundance patterns and life cycle. Measures should be taken to prevent infiltration of wastewaters from the nearby town into the soil and underground habitats and to minimise the negative effects of the quarry in the habitat.

The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 4 km² and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is 12 km².

Trechus lunai is a troglobiont Carabidae known from three horizontal caves, located in Serra de Aire/São Mamede Plateau (Reboleira et al. 2009).

Trechus lunai was found in three caves of the Serra de Aire/São Mamede Plateau subunits. The southernmost distribution is the Almonda Cave, but this species is also known from the Contenda and Moinhos Velhos Caves' system (Reboleira et al. 2009).

Three populations are known exclusively from the Serra d'Aire/São Mamede Plateau subunit of the Estremenho karst massif (Reboleira et al. 2009).

The subpopulation in Almonda cave is subject to wastewater and pollution infiltration and the subpopulations of the Contenda and Moinhos Velhos Caves face heavy contamination derived from the village under which they are located.

Trechus lunai only occurs in the deepest parts of the caves, from 50 to 80 m depth. The three caves have high humidity levels and average temperature of 18ºC (Reboleira et al. 2009, Reboleira et al. 2015). In Moinhos Velhos Cave, the species was found in a subterranean stream that has high input of sewage from surface and is located below the village of Mira d'Aire in the connection between the Gruta de Mira d'Aire Show Cave and the Pena Spring. Moinhos Velhos is contiguous to Contenda Cave and are hydrologically connected (Reboleira et al. 2009). The other locality is Almonda Cave, which is located 8.4 km in a straight line from the Moinhos Velhos-Contenda cave system. Almonda Cave, also known as “Olho do Moinho da Fonte”, is the largest cave of Portugal with more than 10 km of horizontal development mapped (Thomas 1991).

Trechus lunai was the only troglobiont species captured in these caves. All known localities are caves that flood seasonally (Reboleira et al. 2009).

Almonda Cave is located 50 m from a factory that conducts the subterranean river into the building for industrial use of the water and at 420 m from the village centre. The surrounding village is also heavily populated by agricultural fields. Contenda and Moinhos Velhos caves are heavily contaminated, as their subterranean network extends below the village of Mira d'Aire. The entrance of Moinhos Velhos Cave is located in the village centre and it has been explored for tourism since the 1960s with several complementary touristic infrastructures built (Crispim et al. 2014).

The Contenda and Moinhos-Velhos caves develop below the village of Mira d'Aire and infiltration of sewage is observed in the underground. Therefore an effort to improve sewage treatment is necessary in order to prevent wastewater run-off into subterranean gealleries and groundwaters. Almonda Cave is classified as Property of Public Interest (IIP) since 1993 and protected due to archaeological heritage (Hoffmann et al. 2013). The archaeological arguments for cave protection are clearly inappropriate for cave-adapted fauna conservation, so it is urgent to set specific measures to ensure its protection.

The extent of occurrence (EOO) and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) are both of 4 km².

Trechus tatai is a cave-adapted hygrophilous Carabidae known only from one small cave, located in Serra do Montejunto (Reboleira et al. 2010).

Trechus tatai only occurs in one cave, Algar do Javali, located in Serra do Montejunto. This species is geographically isolated (Reboleira et al. 2010).

Algar do Javali is the only known location for this species, therefore, the trend in number of locations is stable.

Only one population is known from Algar do Javali Cave, in Montejunto karst massif.

Trechus tatai was only collected in the deep oligotrophic areas of the cave. It was never found in areas with high organic material content (bat guano accumulation zones). The cave is 10 m deep and extends for 80 m. Temperatures in the deepest zone of the cave ranged from 14.2 ºC in winter to 15 ºC in summer (Reboleira et al. 2010).

Trechus tatai is the most troglomorphic carabid beetle from continental Portugal. Other caves of the area were sampled, but T. tatai was never collected elsewhere. The seasonal activity pattern of the beetle was studied during one year in the deepest zone of the cave and specimens were collected during winter, autumn and spring (Reboleira et al. 2010). The absence of T. tatai during summer is most likely caused by the low humidity in the cave during this season. It is very likely that, during summer, this species escapes from the cave into the MSS in search of smaller gaps that retain humidity (Reboleira et al. 2010).

Algar do Javali Cave is located 1.6 km from a quarry with intensive extraction activity and 2.9 km from the closest village, which induces deep changes in land use at the surface and potential biotic exchange, such as introduction of invasive alien species. The cave entrance is located 50 m from a road and surrounded by Eucalyptus intensive plantation, with direct impact on land use at the surface, pollution and groundwater depletion.

Although this cave is protected by law through the “Rede Natura 2000” (Directive 1992, ICNB 2000), the species is not. This species is rare, a single cave endemic and it is considered the most troglomorphic carabid beetle of Portugal; therefore, a conservation plan for this cave area is crucial to ensure its environmental sustainability.

The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 7.4 km² and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is 12 km². The three caves are located along a 48 km straight line, with Algarão do Remexido Cave being 23 km from Vale Telheiro and Vale Telheiro Cave being 25 km from Senhora Cave.

Speonemadus algarvensis was collected in three caves in the southermost province of Portugal in the Algarve, being most likely endemic to the central and eastern parts of the Algarve karst massif, a region also known as Barrocal Algarvio (Reboleira et al. 2017).

Speonemadus algarvensis is known from three caves (Vale Telheiro, Algarão do Remexido and Senhora) in the Algarve karst massif (Reboleira et al. 2017).

There are three populations known from Portugal, all from caves in the Algarve karst massif. The largest number of individuals was collected in Vale Telheiro Cave, followed by Senhora Cave and Algarão do Remexido Cave (Reboleira et al. 2017).

All populations are under risk due to wastewater infiltration derived from the urbanised areas in the region. The subpopulation of Algarão do Remexido cave is threatened by agricultural pollution infiltration and the subpopulation from Senhora cave is threatened by industrial residue pollution.

Specimens were collected in three caves, 15 to 30 m deep, with high humidity levels and average temperatures of 17.8ºC (Vale Telheiro Cave), 18.8ºC (Senhora Cave) and 19.3ºC (Algarão do Remexido Cave). This species is endemic to the Algarve karst massif (Reboleira et al. 2017).

Speonemadus algarvensis occurs exclusively in the Algarve and does not exhibit the typical troglomorphism found in other cave-adapted species, such as evident eye reduction, severe depigmentation and extreme body and appendages elongation, although it has only been collected in caves and never at the surface. This species was found to carry the ectoparasitic fungus of the order Laboulbeniales (Stichomyces conosomatis Thaxt., 1901) attached to the cuticle and foresic acari (Reboleira et al. 2017).

Algarão do Remexido is located under agricultural lands, 370 m from the closest house and 1.7 km from the closest village. Vale Telheiro is located 290 m from the closest house and 745 m from the closest urbanisation. Senhora Cave is located 168 m from the closest house and 900 m from an industrial complex.

Although the habitat is protected under legislation by the “Rede Natura 2000” (Directive 1992, ICNB 2000), the species is not. Population trends need to be monitored in order to better understand the species' abundance patterns and life cycle. Measures should be taken to prevent infiltration of wastewaters and to ensure conservation of the natural landscape and plant communities on the surface, which are necessary to maintain nutrient inflow to the subterranean ecosystem.

The extent of occurrence (EOO) and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) are both of 4 km².

Domene lusitanica was found in a single cave located in the Sicó karstic massif (Reboleira et al. 2011a).

Domene lusitanica was collected in Cerâmica Cave, located in the Sicó karst area in central Portugal (Reboleira et al. 2011a). This Ccave extends for 355 m (Nóbrega et al. 1984).

This species is known from a single population in central Portugal (Reboleira et al. 2011a).

Specimens were exclusively collected in the deepest zones of the cave (10 m deep), in high humidity levels and with average temperatures of 16.4ºC (Reboleira et al. 2011a).

Domene lusitanica is included in the subgenus Lathromene, together with the other two Portuguese species of cave-adapted Domene: D. viriatoi and D. darinkae. This species is a predator troglobiont rove beetle, with reduced eyes, apterous, depigmented and elongated body and appendages (Reboleira et al. 2011a). It is only known from one cave in the Sicó karst area and is a rare species, as the type locality and several other caves nearby have been monitored for more than a decade and only eight specimens have been observed so far: seven collected in 2010 (type material) and one collected in December 2019. It shares habitat with other single cave endemic species, the troglobiont pseudoscopion Roncocreagris borgesi Zaragoza & Reboleira, 2013 and several other cave-adapted species: the pseudoscorpions Occidenchthonius vachoni Zaragoza & Reboleira, 2018 and Roncocreagris blothroides Beier, 1962; the millipede Scutogona minor Enghoff & Reboleira, 2013; and the woodlice Trichoniscoides sicoensis Reboleira & Taiti, 2015, Miktoniscus longispina Reboleira & Taiti, 2015 and Porcellio cavernicolus Vandel, 1946 (Enghoff and Reboleira 2013, Reboleira et al. 2013c, Reboleira et al. 2015).

Cerâmica Cave is located 550 m from an animal farm, 3.5 km from the nearest village and 3.6 km from a quarry. It is surrounded by agricultural lands and Eucalyptus plantations.

The habitat is located in an “Rede Natura 2000” area (Directive 1992, ICNB 2000). Population trends need to be monitored in order to better understand the species' abundance patterns and life cycle. Measures should be taken to prevent infiltrations from agricultural lands and livestock farms and to prevent the pernicious effects of the quarry activity on the surrounding habitats.

The extent of occurrence (EOO) and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) are both 4 km².

Domene viriatoi was collected in two galleries of the Buraco da Moura Cave, located in the Serra da Estrela Mountain foothills (Serrano et al. 2015).

Domene viriatoi was collected from the Buraco da Moura Cave at the edge of the Estrela Mountain chain (Serrano et al. 2015).

This species is known from a single population in the western border of the Estrela Mountain chain, the highest mountain of continental Portugal (Serrano et al. 2015).

The cave is formed by granite blocks in the margins of the Caniça stream at an elevation of 677 m. It extends for 150 m of underground passages (Serrano et al. 2015).

Domene viriatoi is included in the subgenus Lathromene. Both adults and larvae of this species were observed foraging for preys in bat guano on the cave substrate (Serrano et al. 2015). The cave is formed by blocks of granite and has considerable humidity. This species shares habitat with other cave species, like the millipede Lusitanipus alternans and the dipluran Podocampa cf. fragiloides.

The cave entrance is located 127 m from the closest house, 530 m from a hydroelectric power station and 1.2 km from the closest village and is under anthropogenic disturbance due to tourism.

Buraco da Moura Cave was classified as a “National Important Underground Shelter for Bats” therefore a decrease in human disturbance is expected (Serrano et al. 2015). However, specific monitoring plans for this species are required in order to understand its ecology and distribution.

Although the habitat is protected under legislation by the “Rede Natura 2000” (Directive 1992, ICNB 2000), the species is not. Population trends need to be monitored in order to better understand the species' abundance patterns and life cycle. Measures should be taken to prevent infiltration of wastewaters from the nearby town into the soil and underground habitats and to minimise the effects of the hydroelectric power station on the surrounding habitats.

The extent of occurrence (EOO) and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) are both 4 km².

Domene darinkae is a cave-adapted rove beetle known from an abandoned mine in northern Portugal (Magrini and Carotti 2019).

Domene darinkae is known from a single horizontal artificial cave, Santa Isabel mine, located in the Marão Mountain chain in north Portugal (Magrini and Carotti 2019).

Only one specimen of this species is known from a single location in northern Portugal (Magrini and Carotti 2019).

The only known specimen was collected in the rocky debris along the main tunnel of the Santa Isabel mine (Magrini and Carotti 2019). The geological matrix of this mine is quartzite with iron.

Domene darinkae is included in the subgenus Lathromene. It is a predator and exhibits troglomorphisms, such as depigmentation, elongation of body and antennae and accentuated microphthalmia (Magrini and Carotti 2019).

Undisturbed areas in the surface of the mine need to be defined and established.