Biodiversity Data Journal :
Species Conservation Profiles
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Corresponding author: Ana Sofia P. S. Reboleira (sreboleira@snm.ku.dk)
Academic editor: Diana Galassi
Received: 02 Dec 2021 | Accepted: 14 Feb 2022 | Published: 28 Feb 2022
© 2022 Ana Sofia Reboleira, Rita Eusébio, Stefano Taiti
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Reboleira ASPS, Eusébio RP, Taiti S (2022) Species conservation profiles of cave-adapted terrestrial isopods from Portugal. Biodiversity Data Journal 10: e78796. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.10.e78796
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Terrestrial isopods (Oniscidea) are the most diverse group of troglobionts in caves of continental Portugal. They occur in all karst regions of Portugal, play a major role in decomposition of organic matter in caves and may act as umbrella species for the conservation of all other cave-adapted invertebrates.
We present the IUCN Red List profiles for the cave-adapted terrestrial isopods from continental Portugal, based on recent distribution data from caves.
Oniscidea, subterranean habitats, troglobiont, cavernicolous, Iberian Peninsula, conservation, rocky habitats
Cave-adapted fauna have a high and global conservationist interest (
Terrestrial isopods (Oniscidea) evolved to be the only truly terrestrial crustaceans (
In subterranean ecosystems, terrestrial isopods can be seen as sentinel organisms, as they are detritivorous, basal to the cave food webs, source of food for many predators, are generally associated with stable and undisturbed parts of caves and are the most diversified group (
Portugal is a hotspot of subterranean biodiversity and, amongst all cave-adapted species, terrestrial isopods are the most diverse, represented in mainland by 15 troglobiont species (
Cave-adapted species of mainland Portugal lack specific protective legislation and Red List profiling (
Over the last 15 years, the caves of continental Portugal have been extensively sampled by direct search and baited pitfall traps. The specimens were sorted and identified to species level through dissection, microscopy, comparison with collection specimens and bibliography (
Extent of occurence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) were calculated using the Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool (GeoCAT) with an approximation to the standard IUCN 2 km × 2 km cells (4 km2). The maps were generated in the open source software QGIS 3.14.16, with the layer of the natural protected areas of Portugal (
Threats were identified in situ, complemented by a literature survey and spatial analysis software. The type of habitat classification, threats and conservation actions were assigned, based on the IUCN Red List database.
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
Trichoniscoides bellesi displays troglomorphisms, like blindness and depigmentation. It can be easily distinguished from other species of the genus because the exopod of the first pleopod of the male has a broadly rounded outer margin and two equal distal lobes and the endopod of the second pleopod has a distal article thickset for ⅔ of its length, with a narrow terminal part (
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Both the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 4 km2.
Trichoniscoides bellesi is known from Algar do Javali Cave in the Montejunto karst massif (
Trichoniscoides bellesi occurs in a single cave (
Algar do Javali Cave is the only known location for this species; therefore, the trend in number of locations is stable.
A total of three specimens have been collected in the type locality (
Trichoniscoides bellesi was found in the deepest and most thermally insulated parts of the cave, at 10 m depth (
Trichoniscoides bellesi is a blind and depigmented troglobiont species (
The cave entrance is surrounded by Eucalyptus intensive plantations, which substituted the original native vegetation and is located 50 m from a road, 1.6 km from a quarry and 2.9 km from the closest village.
Even though this cave is protected under legislation by the “Rede Natura 2000” (
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
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The extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 4 km2.
Trichoniscoides broteroi is a troglobiont isopod known from Alqueves Cave, located in the Sicó karst area (
Trichoniscoides broteroi is known from a single cave (
Alqueves Cave is the only known location for this species; therefore, the trend in number of locations is stable.
Alqueves Cave is considered a pre- and proto-historic site. It is a natural funerary cave as bone fragments and other human artifacts were there found, testifying to its human occupation at the end of the Neolithic period, beginning of the Chalcolithic (
Trichoniscoides broteroi is a blind and depigmented troglobiont species and a single cave endemic (
The entrance to the cave is located within a fully urbanised area, more specifically in the middle of a roundabout (
This cave was previously excavated for archaeological studies where bone fragments, chipped stone material, ceramic fragments, quartzite blades and bone pins were found (
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
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The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 217.7 km2 and the area of occupancy (AOO) is 40 km2.
Trichoniscoides meridionalis is recorded from 10 caves distributed along the Estremenho karst massif: Algar do Vale da Pena, Algar do Zé de Braga, Alcobertas, Lapa da Chã de Cima, Moinhos Velhos, Almonda, Papagaio, Algar do Burro, Algar do Pena and Algar do Ladoeiro (
Trichoniscoides meridionalis occurs in ten caves (
A total of 43 specimens have been collected: six in Moinhos Velhos cave, five in Algar do Vale do Pena, five in Algar do Burro, one in Algar do Zé de Braga, fifteen in Algar do Ladoeiro, ten in Almonda and one in Papagaio Caves (
The caves are located at an altitude ranging from 95 to 485 m a.s.l. (
Trichoniscoides meridionalis is a blind, depigmented troglobiont that is adapted to life in the underground (
Almonda Cave is located 50 m from a factory that extracts water from a subterranean river and 420 m from a village, which has many agricultural fields. Algar do Ladoeiro's Cave entrance is 840 m from the closest urbanisation. The Moinhos Velhos Cave is the largest show cave of Portugal with around 140,000 visitors per year. Alcobertas Cave has also been subject to structural alterations with the intention to transform it into a show cave during the last century and it is exploited for tourism by a local association (
Almonda Cave is classified, since 1993, as a Property of Public Interest (IIP) and protected due to its archaeological heritage (
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
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Both the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 4 km2.
Trichoniscoides ouremensis is only recorded from Lapa da Salgada Cave, located in the Fátima Plateau, in the eastern part of the Estremenho karst massif (
Trichoniscoides ouremensis is recorded from a single cave (
Lapa da Salgada Cave is the only known location for this species; therefore, the trend in number of locations is stable.
Lapa da Salgada Cave is composed of a main underground gallery and the floor is mostly covered by flowstone and clay, with a few bat guano deposits.
Trichoniscoides ouremensis is classified as a troglobiont species, being blind and depigmented. It is a single cave endemic (
The cave entrance is located 270 m from a road in which trucks transport goods from warehouses 600 m away. The cave is also located 1 km away from the closest town.
Measures need to be put in place in order to protect the habitat and species from the disturbances caused by truck movements and proximity to the urban areas.
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
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Both the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 4 km2.
Trichoniscoides serrai is only recorded from Santo Adrião Cave, located in the palaeokarst of Vimioso in north-eastern Portugal (
Trichoniscoides serrai occurs in a single cave (
Santo Adrião Cave is the only known location for this species; therefore, the trend in number of locations is stable.
Santo Adrião mines are located at 580 m a.s.l. in the Municipality of Miranda do Douro, District of Bragança (
Trichoniscoides serrai is classified as a blind, depigmented troglobiont, adapted to life in the underground (
The cave entrance is in the border of an active quarry, very close to a road (
Even though this cave is protected under legislation by the “Rede Natura 2000” (
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostra | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
Trichoniscoides sicoensis is blind and depigmented and it can be distinguished from all species of the genus because the male pereopod 7 merus has a lobe on the mid-sternal margin, the male pleopod 1 exopod has a broadly rounded outer margin and two unequal setae, the endopod has a fusiform distal article with a distinct circular suture in the middle and the male pleopod 2 endopod has a thickset distal article bearing two short triangular lobes and two setae at the apex (
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The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 129.2 km² and the maximum estimated area of occupancy (AOO) is 20 km².
Trichoniscoides sicoensis is recorded from six caves located in the Sicó karst area: Cerâmica, Santa Maria da Estrela, Soprador do Carvalho, Algarinho, Arrifana and São Simão (
Trichoniscoides sicoensis is known from six caves (
The largest population was found in the type locality Cerâmica Cave, where a higher number of specimens has been collected, followed by Santa Maria da Estrela Cave and then Soprador do Carvalho, Algarinho, Arrifana and São Simão Caves (
Trichoniscoides sicoensis inhabits the deepest and isolated parts of caves of the Sicó karst area, found up to a maximum altitude of 380 m a.s.l. The easternmost locality is Soprador do Carvalho Cave and the westernmost is Santa Maria da Estrela Cave, its distribution being limited at the north by the Arrifana Cave and at the south by the Cerâmica Cave. Cerâmica Cave opens at 355 m a.s.l., it has a horizontal development of 120 m, a depth of 21 m (
Trichoniscoides sicoensis is classified as a troglobiont species, blind and depigmented. It is endemic to the Sicó karst area (
Cerâmica Cave is surrounded by agricultural fields and Eucalyptus intensive plantations. It is located 270 m from a road, 550 m from an animal farm, 1.6 km from the closest village and 3.6 km from a quarry. Santa Maria da Estrela Cave is located 86 m from a touristic site called Monstro das Bolachas, 230 m from the Nossa Senhora da Estrela viewpoint, 250 m from the closest urbanised area, 80 m from the road, 220 m from agricultural fields and 2.6 km from two quarries. Soprador do Carvalho Cave is surrounded by agricultural lands distances and is located 67 m from the closest house and 1.4 km from a quarry. This cave is also affected by touristic activities, as people who visit the cave walk all over the habitat (
Although Cerâmica and Santa Maria da Estrela Caves are protected under legislation by the “Rede Natura 2000” (
The quarry near Algarinho cave has been reported by Grupo Protecção Sicó, a local ONG from Pombal Municipality, as the source of infiltration of large amounts of fine particles of quarry dust in the cave, which puts groundwater quality in danger (
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
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Both the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 4 km2.
Trichoniscoides subterraneus is only recorded from Alta do Cabeço dos Mosqueiros Cave, located in Carvalhal de Aljubarrota, the western part of the Estremenho karst massif (
Trichoniscoides subterraneus occurs in a single cave (
Alta do Cabeço dos Mosqueiros Cave is the only known location for this species; therefore, the trend in number of locations is stable.
This cave is currently part of the Geocaching network; therefore, it is subject to human disturbance without regulation.
Trichoniscoides subterraneus is classified as a blind and depigmented troglobiont species (
This cave is frequently visited by geocachers looking for the geocache installed inside the cave.
Measures to limit the number of visits to the cave should be implemented in order to ensure the integrity of the habitat and the survival of this species.
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
Metatrichoniscoides salirensis can be distinguished from all species of the genus because the pleopod 1 exopod of the male has two long distal setae of subequal length and its pleopod 2 endopod has a thickset distal article, ending in a thinner sinuous part with a beak-like small lobe medially directed (
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Both the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 4 km²
Metatrichoniscoides salirensis is only known from Salir Cave, a single isolated cave located in the western border of Caldas da Rainha Typhonic Valley (
Metatrichoniscoides salirensis is only recorded from one cave (
Salir Cave is the only known location for this species; therefore, the trend in number of locations is stable.
A total of seven specimens have been collected in the type locality (
Salir Cave was discovered in the 1960s by the labour force of a quarry. It is located near the sea, at an altitude of 60 m a.s.l. The substrate is mostly composed of flowstone, clay and marine sand that can be found in the deepest parts of the cave (
Metatrichoniscoides salirensis is classified as a troglobiont species, blind and depigmented and is hitherto the only troglobiont species known from this cave and from this karst area (
The cave entrance is located in a former quarry, at 400 m from the closest house and 1 km from the village centre. Salir Cave has an easy access and mostly horizontal development, which attracts casual visitors. It has suffered recurrent episodes of vandalism, which include paintings inside the first chamber and breakage of many lithological formations. This cave is currently listed in the Geocaching network and subject to human disturbance without regulation.
The cave should be a protected site, as it is the only locality known for this species; therefore, a site of maximum priority for biodiversity conservation. The entrance should be closed and the access regulated in order to prevent the recurrent vandalism and human disturbance to the ecosystem.
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
Antennae have five flagellar articles, the male pleopod 1 exopod is triangular, as wide as long and the male pleopod 2 endopod distal article has a basal and a distal hook-like process (
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Both the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 4 km².
Troglonethes olissipoensis is only recorded from Alvide Cave, located in Cascais Municipality in the Lisbon metropolitan area (
Troglonethes olissipoensis occurs in a single cave (
Alvide Cave is the only known location for this species; therefore, the trend in number of locations is stable.
A total of 25 specimens have been collected in the type locality (
The entrance to Alvide Cave is through a house currently serving as headquarters of Denível Association. Part of the cave's ceiling has concrete that serves as the base of a residential building. This cave is in the margin of a small canyon and it is composed of three levels of horizontal galleries connected by pits, it has a horizontal development of 708 m and total depth of 28 m.
Troglonethes olissipoensis is a troglobiont species, being blind and depigmented. It is endemic and the only cave-adapted species known from this cave (
Alvide Cave is located below an over-urbanised area (
Measures should be taken to minimise the pernicious effects due to the cave's close proximity to the urbanisation on the habitat.
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
Antennae have three flagellar articles, the male pereopod 7 carpus is enlarged in the basal part, the male pleopod 1 exopod is triangular and as wide as long and the male pleopod 2 endopod has the distal article with an apical hook-like process (
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Both the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 4 km².
Troglonethes arrabidaensis is only recorded from Frade Cave, located in the Arrábida karst massif (
Troglonethes arrabidaensis occurs in a single cave (
Frade Cave is the only known location for this species; therefore, the trend in number of locations is stable.
A total of 17 specimens have been collected in Frade Cave (
Frade Cave is located near the seashore, with several anchialine lakes inside, which are influenced by the sea tides with a slight delay period (
Troglonethes arrabidaensis is classified as a troglobiont, depigmented, blind and with an elongated body (
The cave entrance is located 600 m from a very touristic beach, mainly accessed by boat; therefore, fuel residues brought in by the tidal movement might be a concerning pollutant inside the cave. Contamination of groundwater should be evaluated.
Even though this cave is protected under legislation by the “Rede Natura 2000” (
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
The male pereopod 7 has a long and stout seta on the distal corner of the ischium and a triangular male pleopod 1 exopod (
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The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 137.96 km² and the area of occupancy (AOO) is 12 km².
Miktoniscus longispina is recorded from three caves with disjunt distribution. Bolhos Cave, also known as Casal da Lebre Cave, located in the Cesaredas Plateau and Ervilha and Cerâmica Caves located in the centre of the Sicó karst area (
Miktoniscus longispina can be found in three caves (
A total of 12 specimens were collected in the three localities: two in Bolhos Cave, eight in Cerâmica Cave and two in Algar da Ervilha Cave (
Bolhos Cave has a horizontal development of 130 m and is located in Cesaredas Plateau, 93 km away from the other localities in the Sicó karst area. Cerâmica Cave has a horizontal development of 120 m and is the richest cave in troglobiont species in central Portugal. Algar da Ervilha Cave has a depth of 52 m and a horizontal development of 150 m (
Miktoniscus longispina is a troglobiont, with a depigmented and elongated body. All specimens, except for the ones collected in Bolhos Cave, are blind.
Bolhos Cave is located 130 m from an energy windmill and 700 m from the closest village, in an area of extensive agricultural fields. Cerâmica Cave is surrounded by agricultural fields and Eucalyptus intensive plantations. It is located 270 m from a road, 550 m from an animal farm, 1.6 km from the closest village and 3.6 km from a quarry. Algar da Ervilha Cave is located in the border of a road in the westernmost access to Ereiras Village, at 90 m from the closest house and 3.5 km from the same quarry as Cerâmica Cave.
The caves located in the Sicó karst area are protected under the “Rede Natura 2000” (
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Trichoniscidae |
The male pereopod 7 carpus has a distal lobe on the sternal margin. This new species is easily distinguishable from the other two Moserius species due to the peculiar shape of the male pleopod 1 exopod, with a truncate and sinuous, rather than triangular, distal point (
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Both the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 4 km2.
Moserius inexpectatus is only recorded from Almonda Cave, also known as Olho do Moinho da Fonte, located in the easternmost subunit of the Estremenho karst massif (
Moserius inexpectatus is endemic to a single cave (
Almonda Cave is the only location from where this species is known; therefore, the trend in number of locations is stable.
Only one specimen was collected from the type locality (
Almonda Cave, the type locality for this species, is the largest cave in Portugal (
Moserius inexpectatus is a troglobiont blind and depigmented isopod. This is the third species described from the genus Moserius, previously known from Slovenia and Italy (
Almonda Cave is located 50 m from a factory that extracts and uses water from a subterranean stream and 420 m from a village, which has many agricultural fields.
In 1993, Almonda Cave was classified as a Property of Public Interest (IIP) and protected due to its archaeological heritage (
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Styloniscidae |
The male pereopod 7 ischium has a rounded hyaline basal lobe, the triangular male pleopod 1 exopod is as long as the endopod and the male pleopod 2 endopod has a complex apical part (
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The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 5,893.93 km2 and the area of occupancy (AOO) is 16 km2.
Cordioniscus lusitanicus is recorded from five caves, located in two isolated karst areas: Algar de Santo António from the Estremoz-Cano karst massif and Ibne Ammar, Algarão do Remexido, Vale Telheiro and Senhora Caves from the Algarve karst massif (
The four caves, located in the Algarve karst massif, are at 200 km distance from the cave in the Estremoz-Cano karst massif.
Cordioniscus lusitanicus occurs in five caves (
A total of 26 specimens have been collected: nine from Algar de Santo António, six from Ibne Ammar, six from Algarão do Remexido and four from Senhora (
Cordioniscus lusitanicus was collected in two karst areas, Estremoz-Cano and Algarve, located more than 200 km apart, which are isolated from each other by the dry and flat areas of the Alentejo Province. In Algar de Santo António, the specimens were collected in deep layers of soil at the bottom of an entrance pit of the cave (
Cordioniscus lusitanicus is classified as a troglobiont and endogean species. It is blind, depigmented and has an elongated body (
Algar de Santo António is located in the middle of an urbanised area of a village. Algarão do Remexido is located under agricultural lands, 370 m from the closest house and 1.7 km from the closest village. Senhora Cave is located 168 m from the closest house and 900 m from an industrial complex. Ibne Ammar Cave is located right in the flooding zone of the Arade river, 380 m from the national road IC4 and 1.4 km from the nearest town. Vale Telheiro Cave is located 50 m from a road and 150 m from the closest house.
Of the five caves, only Ibne Ammar Cave is protected under legislation by the “Rede Natura 2000” (
Population trends need to be monitored in order to better understand the species abundance patterns and life cycle and the species evolution in two isolated massifs. Measures to prevent infiltration of wastewaters and agricultural and industrial contamination need to be taken to ensure the proper conservation of the natural landscape, vital to the nutrient flow to the subterranean ecosystems.
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The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 713 km2 and the area of occupancy (AOO) is 24 km2.
Porcellio cavernicolus is recorded from seven caves located in two isolated massifs, Gruta d’el Rey in the Cantanhede-Outil karst massif and Santa Maria da Estrela, Soprador do Carvalho, Algarinho, Cerâmica, Abrigo Tomar I and Furjaca caves, located in the Sicó massif (
Porcellio cavernicolus occurs in seven caves (
More than 63 specimens have been collected: 28 from Gruta d’el Rey, 16 from Santa Maria da Estrela, seven from Soprador do Carvalho, three from Cerâmica, four from Abrigo Tomar I and five from Furjaca. The specimens, collected from Algarinho Cave, are simply described as “many” (
Porcellio cavernicolus inhabits the most superficial parts of caves and it occurs on roots that hang from the ceiling. Specimens are easily distinguishable due to their whitish colouration (
Porcellio cavernicolus is classifid as a troglobiont, endemic to seven caves from central Portugal, distributed in two isolated karst massifs (
Gruta d‘el Rey is located in the middle of an urbanised area, 1 km from a quarry and 1.2 km from highway A14. Santa Maria da Estrela Cave is located 86 m from a touristic site called Monstro das Bolachas, 230 m from the Nossa Senhora da Estrela viewpoint, 250 m from the closest house, 80 m from the closest road, 220 m from agricultural fields and 2.6 km from two quarries. Soprador do Carvalho is surrounded by agricultural lands and is located 67 m from the closest house and 1.4 km from a quarry. This cave is also affected by touristic activities, as people who visit the cave walk all over the habitat (
Of the seven locations, only three are protected under legislation by the “Rede Natura 2000” (
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
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Animalia | Arthropoda | Malacostraca | Isopoda | Armadillidiidae |
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The extent of occurrence (EOO) is 356.4 km2 and the area of occupancy (AOO) is 16 km2.
Trogleluma machadoi is recorded from six caves, located in the Algarve karst massif: Ibne Ammar, Algarão do Remexido, Vale Telheiro, Senhora, Algarão do Paulino and Abismo Novo (
Trogleluma machadoi occurs in six caves (
Trogleluma machadoi is endemic to karst caves in the southernmost province of Portugal, the Algarve.
Trogleluma machadoi is a blind and depigmented species, classified as a troglobiont. Specimens are found in the most deep and well isolated parts of of caves, they have the integument covered with clay, while some others were found walking on cave walls and completely clean of clay, probably recently moulted (
Ibne Ammar Cave is located right in the flooding zone of the Arade River, 380 m from the national road IC4 and 1.4 km from the nearest town. Algarão do Remexido is located under agricultural lands, 370 m from the closest house and 1.7 km from the closest village. Senhora Cave is located 168 m from the closest house and 900 m from an industrial complex. Abismo Novo Cave is located 100 m from the closest house and 500 m from the village centre and is also located 1 km from Senhora Cave. Algarão do Paulino is located near a road, 90 m from the closest house and 800 m from the closest village. Vale Telheiro Cave is located 50 m from a road and 150 m from the closest house.
Of the five locations, only three are protected under legislation by the “Rede Natura 2000” (
Cave-adapted terrestrial isopods are key species for cave ecosystem conservation: i) they are the most diverse group of cave-adapted species in continental Portugal, ii) they have several single cave endemics that are under threat and require specific protection measures, iii) they are basal in the trophic chains in caves and serve as a food source for several other zoological groups; iv) they play a vital role on the decomposition of organic matter in caves; and v) they are very sensitive to contaminants and climate change (
Almost all cave-adapted terrestrial isopod species face direct anthropogenic threats, such as point or diffuse pollution, direct habitat destruction by mining and quarry activities or excess cave visitation (
In the Iberian Peninsula, cave-adapted terrestrial isopods are also found in shallow subterranean habitats, such as the mesovoid shallow substrate (MSS) (
It is a priority to establish concrete protection strategies for cave-adapted species in continental Portugal. We need to improve the knowledge about population size and dynamics, real extent of subterranean distribution, improve our knowledge on the functional ecology, understand species life cycle and evaluate their sensitivity to disturbance. This contribution may be used as a support for decision-making for territory management and to define conservation measures for cave endemic species. Cave-adapted terrestrial isopods have the potential to be used as umbrella species for the conservation of other cave-adapted species sharing the same subterranean habitats.
All specimens were collected under permits of the Instituto de Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas. This work was supported by the VILLUM FONDEN (research grant 15471) and by Portuguese National Funds through “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia” (FCT) within the cE3c Unit funding UIDB/00329/2020 and PhD grant (2021.04868.BD).
(A) Overview of the distribution of cave-adapted terrestrial isopods in continental Portugal; (B) Sicó karst area distribution detail; (C) Estremenho and Montejunto karst massifs, Caldas da Rainha Typhonic Valley and Cesaredas Plateau distribution detail; (D) Algarve karst massif distribution detail; (E) Lisbon Peninsula and Arrábida karst massif and Estremoz-Cano karst massif distribution detail; and (F) Vimioso paleokarst distribution detail.
Species: Trichoniscoides broteroi (orange circle), T. ouremensis (pink circle), T. serrai (dark blue circle), T. subterraneus (yellow circle), T. meridionalis (purple circle), T. bellesi (forest green circle), T. sicoensis (light blue circle), Metatrichoniscoides salirensis (dark blue diamond), Troglonethes olissipoensis (dark blue star), T. arrabidaensis (pink star), Miktoniscus longispina (yellow cross), Moserius inexpectatus (light blue hexagon), Cordioniscus lusitanicus (dark blue triangle outline), Porcellio cavernicolus (pink triangle) and Trogleluma machadoi (pink circle outline).
Trichoniscoides bellesi distribution: Algar do Javali Cave, Montejunto karst massif.
Trichoniscoides broteroi distribution: Alqueves Cave, Sicó karst area.
Trichoniscoides meridionalis distribution. (A) Detail of distribution: Algar do Vale do Pena; Alcobertas Cave; Algar do Zé de Braga Cave; Lapa da Chã de Cima Cave; Algar do Ladoeiro Cave; Algar do Pena Cave; Moinhos Velhos Cave; Papagaio Cave; Algar do Burro Cave; and Almonda Cave.
Trichoniscoides ouremensis distribution: Lapa da Salgada Cave, Fátima Plateau.
Trichoniscoides serrai distribution: Santo Adrião Cave, Vimioso karst area.
Trichoniscoides sicoensis distribution. (A) Detail of the distribution: Arrifana Cave; Santa Maria da Estrela Cave; Cerâmica Cave; São Simão Cave; Algarinho Cave; and Soprador do Carvalho Cave.
Trichoniscoides subterraneus distribution: Alta do Cabeço dos Mosqueiros Cave, Aljubarrota Plateau.
Metatrichoniscoides salirensis distribution: Salir Cave, Caldas da Rainha.
Troglonethes olissipoensis distribution: Alvide Cave, Lisbon.
Troglonethes arrabidaensis distribution: Frade Cave, Arrábida karst massif.
Miktoniscus longispina distribution. (A) Detail of distribution: Casal da Lebre Cave; Algar da Ervilha Cave; and Cerâmica Cave.
Moserius inexpectatus distribution: Almonda Cave, Estremenho karst massif.
Cordioniscus lusitanicus distribution. (A) Detail of distribution: Ibne Ammar Cave; Algarão do Remexido Cave; Vale Telheiro Cave; Senhora Cave; and Algar de Santo António Cave.
Porcellio cavernicolus distribution. (A) Detail of distribution: Gruta d’el Rey; Furjaca Cave; Santa Maria da Estrela Cave; Cerâmica Cave; Algarinho Cave; Soprador do Carvalho Cave; and Abrigo Tomar I Cave.
Trogleluma machadoi distribution. (A) Detail of distribution: Ibne Ammar Cave; Algarão do Remexido Cave; Vale Telheiro Cave; Algarão do Paulino Cave; Abismo Novo Cave; and Senhora Cave.