Pseudonannolene erikae Iniesta & Ferreira 2014

Iniesta, Luiz Felipe Moretti & Ferreira, Rodrigo Lopes, 2014, New species of Pseudonannolene Silvestri, 1895 from Brazilian limestone caves with comments on the potential distribution of the genus in South America (Spirostreptida: Pseudonannolenidae), Zootaxa 3846 (3), pp. 361-397 : 377

Pseudonannolene erikae Iniesta & Ferreira 2014 , new species

( Fig. 11 )

Material examined. Holotype: 1 male ( ISLA 4107) from Gruta Rei do Mato cave (19º29’44.15”S 44º16’51.66”W), Sete Lagoas/MG, Brasil, 04/XI/2011. Collected by R. L. Ferreira.

Paratype: 1 male ( ISLA 4108) and 1 female ( ISLA 4109) from Gruta Rei do Mato cave, Sete Lagoas/MG, Brasil, 04/XI/2011. Collected by R. L. Ferreira.

Etimology. The specific epithet is in honor of the biospeleologist Érika Linzi Silva Taylor for her contribution to our knowledge of Brazilian subterranean biology, mainly cave microbiology.

Comparative diagnosis. Body and eyes pigmented. Labrum with 6 supralabral setae; 20–22 labral setae. Mandibles with 10–11 rows of pectinate lamellae (difficult to see). P. e r i k ae has a notably modified gonopod in comparison to other Brazilian species. The internal branch diagonally directed markedly differs from other Brazilian species. Such structure could eventually represent a modification from a shield form to a branch, as in the species P. ro s i n e i i, P. taboa , P. leopoldoi , P. ambuatinga ( Iniesta & Ferreira 2013b), P. s pe l a e a ( Iniesta & Ferreira 2013a), P. rolamossa , P. gogo ( Iniesta & Ferreira 2013c), P. chaimowiczi , P. imbirensis , P. tocaiensis ( Fontanetti 1996a; Fontanetti 1996b) and P. microzoporus ( Mauriès 1987) . The triangle-shaped solenomere is similar to P. ambuatinga and P. saguassu ( Iniesta & Ferreira 2013b). The pre-femoral process also is highly modified, having an irregular and concave morphology, not similar to any known Brazilian species.

Description of adults. Measurements: Length from 64 up to 69 mm; maximum midbody diameter between 4.2 to 4.6 mm; body rings ranging between 61 to 63; length of antennae ranging from 4.7 to 4.9 mm (relation to diameter ranging 1.06 to 1.12); length of legs 2.5 to 2.8 mm (relation to diameter ranging 0.43 to 0.6); length of tarsal claw 0.14 to 0.22 mm (relation to diameter ranging 0.03 to 0.05).

Color: Visualization after fixation in 70% alcohol. Grayish color, with the anterior region of each ring clearer.

Head ( Fig. 11 a): Head glabrous and pigmented. Labrum with a row containing 20–22 labral setae, and above a row with 6 supralabral setae. Mandibles slightly pigmented, with 2 external teeth, 4 internal teeth and 10–11 rows of pectinate lamellae. Eyes with 28–30 ocelli arranged in 4 rows. Antennae pigmented and densely setose. First antennomere small, second, fourth, fifth and sixth similar, being the last larger. Third largest. Presence of basiconic sensilla in latter edge of fifth and sixth antennomere. Gnatochilarium typical of the genus, except for a male paratype that showed an irregular suture in pro-mentum.

Trunk: Body pigmented. Prozone and metazone grayish, with a posterior region clearer. Lateral region of each ring with transverse striae. Telson, anal shield and anal valve pigmented.

First male pair of legs ( Fig. 11 b): Coxae (Cx) triangle-shaped, larger than remaining legs, and densely setose. Prefemur (Prf) with a irregular and oval process (P). Bristles arranged on base of P.

Gonopod ( Fig. 11 c, d): Gonopod complex, stout and sclerified. Coxae reduced; glabrous and adhered to basal region of gonopod. Basal section (Bs) with width little larger than half of length; Basiconic bristles arranged in rows along the entire the base of gonopod. No shoulder. Distal section (Ds) little wider than half of length and half of length of Bs. Solenomere (S) curved, elongated, trunk evident and wide; distal region short, rounded, squamous and of irregular shape. Seminal groove from the base of solenomere with the other branch. Seminal spine (Sp) on apical portion. Internal branch (Ib) starting right below the Sh line on Bs; thin and of divergent direction when compared with S.

Notes on the natural history and habitat. The Rei do Mato cave ( Fig. 15 b) comprises one of the most important Brazilian tourist caves. This cave is distinguished by a great wealth of formations (speleothems), which contribute great scenic beauty to this cavity. This region has hundreds of caves, considered one of the regions of greatest speleological importance in the country. Rei do Mato cave presents numerous infrastructures that have been installed to facilitate the access of tourists to its innermost portions. However, due to the rugged topography of the cavity, the building of such structures has resulted in severe changes to this cave. In almost all its length, a large metal footbridge with handrails and stairs can be seen. In addition, the cave has an electric lighting system, installed for more than two decades. Such a system creates a photoperiod in the cavity, leading to serious alterations of microclimatic and trophic conditions. Thus, the densities of many species are often low, as in the case of P. erikae . The few individuals observed were feeding in rare guano deposits, since the illumination of the cavity ends up scaring bats. Although the epigean environment is severely altered (for agricultural and mining activities), the cavity is legally protected, being part of a conservation unit (Natural Monument Rei do Mato).

Figures

FIGURE 11. Pseudonannolene erikae sp. n. (holotype, ISLA 4107): a) Anterior region; b) Pre-femoral process; c) Caudal view of gonopod; d) Oral view of gonopod. Scale bar: a) 2 mm; b) 700 µm; c) 700 µm; d) 700 µm.

FIGURE 15. Caves where the specimens were found: a) Paranoá cave (P. rosineii sp. n.); b) Rei do Mato cave (P. erikae sp. n. and P. longisima sp. n.); c) Lapa do Zu cave (P. leopoldoi sp. n.); d) Casa da Pedra cave (P. fontanettiae sp. n.); e) Taboa cave (P. taboa sp. n.); f) Milagrosa cave P. marconii sp. n.); g) Toca dos Ossos cave (P. caatinga sp. n.); h) Lapa do Baio cave (P. xavieri sp. n.); i) Brega cave (P. robsoni sp. n.).