A new species of Pinelema Wang & Li, 2012, a relictual telemid spider inhabiting caves in Brazil (Araneae, Telemidae).

A new species of the genus Pinelema Wang & Li, 2012, occurring in caves of the state of Bahia in Northeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. This species has the typical troglobitic characters, such as the absence of eyes, elongation of legs and setae, and pale, almost depigmented, somatic coloration. Data on the natural history of populations of P. elinae sp. nov. from caves in the Serra do Ramalho, State of Bahia, are presented. This work represents the first description of a relictual species of Telemidae spiders in Brazil.

A new species of Pinelema Wang & Li, 2012, a relictual telemid spider inhabiting caves in Brazil (Araneae, Telemidae)

A new species of the genus Pinelema Wang & Li, 2012, occurring in caves of the state of Bahia in Northeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. This species has the typical troglobitic characters, such as the absence of eyes, elongation of legs and setae, and pale, almost depigmented, somatic coloration. Data on the natural history of populations of P. elinae sp. nov. from caves in the Serra do Ramalho, State of Bahia, are presented. This work represents the first description of a relictual species of Telemidae spiders in Brazil.

Three new species of the genus Speocera (Araneae: Ochyroceratidae) from caves of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Three new species of the spider genus Speocera Berland, 1914 are described from caves of different lithologies, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: Speocera canjica n. sp., S. pamonha n. sp. and S. vacaatolada n. sp., all based on males and females. Among the described species, S. vacaatolada n. sp., presents a palp morphology similar to that of Speocera pallida, where a reduction of bulb structures occurs. Résumé Trois nouvelles espèces du genre Speocera (Araneae : Ochyroceratidae) provenant de grottes de l'État de Minas Gerais, Brésil. Trois nouvelles espèces du genre d'araignées Speocera Berland, 1914, collectées dans des grottes de différentes lithologies de l'État de Minas Gerais, au Brésil, sont décrites : Speocera canjica n. sp., S. pamonha n. sp. et S. vacaatolada n. sp., toutes basées sur des mâles et des femelles. Parmi les espèces décrites, S. vacaatolada n. sp. est la première espèce avec une morphologie des palpes similaire à celle de Speocera pallida, où l’on constate une réduction des structures du bulbe.

Additions to the millipede fauna of an Amazonian ferruginous landscape: a new species of Pseudoporatia widespread in rock outcrops (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Pyrgodesmidae)

Here we describe the new species Pseudoporatia kananciue Iniesta, Bouzan, Souza & Brescovit, n. sp., widespread in the Amazonian ferruginous landscape of the state of Pará, Brazil. The species differs from its only congener P. perplexa Golovatch, 1999 by the presence of 19 body rings in adults (vs 20 body rings), the position of the porosteles on the paraterga, and the morphology of the gonopods. Notes on its ecology and comments on the diversity of millipedes in the region of Serra dos Carajás, state of Pará, Brazil, are also provided. Ajouts à la faune de mille-pattes d'un paysage ferrugineux amazonien: une nouvelle espèce de Pseudoporatia Golovatch, 1999 répandue dans les affleurements rocheux (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Pyrgodesmidae). Nous décrivons ici la nouvelle espèce Pseudoporatia kananciue Iniesta, Bouzan, Souza & Brescovit, n. sp., répandue dans le paysage ferrugineux amazonien de l'État de Pará, Brésil. L'espèce diffère de son seul congénère P. perplexa Golovatch, 1999 par la présence de 19 anneaux corporels chez les adultes (contre 20 anneaux corporels), la position des porostèles sur les paraterga et la morphologie des gonopodes. Des notes sur son écologie et des commentaires sur la diversité des mille-pattes dans la région de Serra dos Carajás, État de Pará, Brésil, sont également fournis.

Three new subterranean species of the genus Speocera (Araneae, Ochyroceratidae) from caves of the Carajs area in the state of Par, Brazil.

Three new species of the spider genus Speocera Berland, 1914, collected in ferruginous caves in the Carajs region of Par state, Brazil are described: Speocera pinima sp. nov., S. babau sp. nov. and S. piquira sp. nov., all based on males and females. These are abundant species, which have morphological characteristics probably associated with isolation in the subterranean environment. Variation in the shape of the lateral eyes, which can be reduced, and in the eyes colloration bright or opalescent, were observed in all species in this study. These morphological variations may indicate that some populations are in the process of isolation and/or are distributed in different horizons of the subterranean environment, including the Milieu Souterrain Superficiel (MSS). An update of male and female genital structures and specializations to the subterranean environment are discussed.

Three new subterranean species of the genus Speocera (Araneae, Ochyroceratidae) from caves of the Carajás area in the state of Pará, Brazil

Three new species of the spider genus Speocera Berland, 1914, collected in ferruginous caves in the Carajás region of Pará state, Brazil are described: Speocera pinima sp. nov., S. babau sp. nov. and S. piquira sp. nov., all based on males and females. These are abundant species, which have morphological characteristics probably associated with isolation in the subterranean environment. Variation in the shape of the lateral eyes, which can be reduced, and in the eyes colloration bright or opalescent, were observed in all species in this study. These morphological variations may indicate that some populations are in the process of isolation and/or are distributed in different horizons of the subterranean environment, including the Milieu Souterrain Superficiel (MSS). An update of male and female genital structures and specializations to the subterranean environment are discussed.

A new species of the spider genus Parabatinga Polotow and Brescovit, 2009 (Araneae: Ctenidae), from the Brazilian Amazonia

Parabatinga danielae sp. n. is described and illustrated based on material collected in caves of the Carajás region, state of Pará, Brazilian Amazonia. With the inclusion of the second species in the genus, we propose here a new diagnosis for Parabatinga and its type species, P. brevipes (Keyserling, 1891).

Ctenus igatu sp. nov. (Araneae: Ctenidae): a new subterranean spider from Brazil with an analysis of troglomorphic traits

In this work we describe Ctenus igatu sp. nov., the first ctenid spider from South America with conspicuous troglomorphic traits, including elongated appendages, reduction of eyes, and body depigmentation. The new species is only known to occur in a unique sandstone cave from the state of Bahia, north-eastern Brazil. The morphology of the genitalia suggests that Ctenus igatu sp. nov. is closely related to Ctenus fasciatus Mello-Leitão, 1943, a facultative subterranean species from caves in the state of São Paulo, south-eastern Brazil. In addition, we compared morphological traits possibly related to the isolation in subterranean habitats, such as ratios between carapace length vs. leg IV length and eye diameters vs. carapace length, of 19 species of Ctenus (17 epigean species, C. fasciatus and the new troglobitic species described herein). Our analysis showed that both C. fasciatus as C. igatu sp. nov. have morphological troglomorphisms, with C. igatu sp. nov. showing marked specializations to subterranean life.

The first two blind troglobitic spiders of the genus Ochyrocera from caves in Floresta Nacional de Carajás, state of Pará, Brazil (Araneae, Ochyroceratidae).

The first two anophthalmic species of spiders of the genus Ochyrocera Simon, 1892, are described for caves located in the iron formation of Floresta Nacional (FLONA) de Carajás in southeastern Pará State, Brazil. The caves are located in the municipalities of Parauapebas and Canaã dos Carajás, in the eastern portion of the Amazon Forest domain. Ochyrocera ritxoco sp. nov. and O. ritxoo sp. nov. are described based on males and females. The species have similar body characteristics with the total absence of eyes and complete depigmentation, characteristics that indicate possible evolution in subterranean environments , and thus are classified as troglobites. Each species is associated with a single geomorphological unit (mountain range), with Ochyrocera ritxoco sp. nov. being restricted to caves of Serra Norte (North Mountain) and O. ritxoo sp. nov. to caves of Serra Sul (South Mountain). Both species were collected in aphotic zones of the caves. Small and tangled webs of O. ritxoco sp. nov. were observed under blocks of stone in the soil or in cracks of the walls.

Four new species of the genus Ochyrocera (Araneae, Ochyroceratidae) from iron caves of the state of Minas Gerais, with the description of the third anophtalmic species from Brazil

Four new species of the spider genus Ochyrocera Fage, 1912 are described from iron caves in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Here we present the third anophtalmic and depigmented species of the genus, O. dorinha sp. nov., and three other depigmented species: O. monica sp. nov., O. magali sp. nov. and O. rosinha sp. nov. Only O. dorinha sp. nov. and O. rosinha sp. nov. are considered as troglobites due the ocular reduction or anophthalmia and elongated appendages, two troglomorphic features absent in the other species described.

The first two blind troglobitic spiders of the genus Ochyrocera from caves in Floresta Nacional de Carajás, state of Pará, Brazil (Araneae, Ochyroceratidae)

The first two anophthalmic species of spiders of the genus Ochyrocera Simon, 1892, are described for caves located in the iron formation of Floresta Nacional (FLONA) de Carajás in southeastern Pará State, Brazil. The caves are located in the municipalities of Parauapebas and Canaã dos Carajás, in the eastern portion of the Amazon Forest domain. Ochyrocera ritxoco sp. nov. and O. ritxoo sp. nov. are described based on males and females. The species have similar body characteristics with the total absence of eyes and complete depigmentation, characteristics that indicate possible evolution in subterranean environments , and thus are classified as troglobites. Each species is associated with a single geomorphological unit (mountain range), with Ochyrocera ritxoco sp. nov. being restricted to caves of Serra Norte (North Mountain) and O. ritxoo sp. nov. to caves of Serra Sul (South Mountain). Both species were collected in aphotic zones of the caves. Small and tangled webs of O. ritxoco sp. nov. were observed under blocks of stone in the soil or in cracks of the walls.

A new genus of cave spider from Neotropical region (Gnaphosidae: Prodidominae).

A new monotypic genus of Prodidominae, Indiani gen. nov., is proposed to include one cave species collected in limestone caves from Minas Gerais, Brazil: Indiani gaspar sp. nov. (♂♀). Based on a recent phylogenetic analysis of Prodidominae, the new genus is closely to other Neotropical Prodidominae, such as Lygromma, Brasilomma and Moreno by sharing a classic claw tuft clasper. Indiani gen. nov. is characterized by a ventral parallel rows of strong spines on tibia and metatarsus I-II, male palp with sclerotized conductor and the robust median apophysis is curved retrolaterally; the female epigyne has an anterior atrium and a posterior extension of the epigynal plate. As other cave Prodidominae, Indiani gen. nov. has morphological characteristics, such as loss or reduction of eyes and weak pigmentation, that indicate an adaptation for living in subterranean environments.

A new genus of cave spider from Neotropical region (Gnaphosidae: Prodidominae)

A new monotypic genus of Prodidominae, Indiani gen. nov., is proposed to include one cave species collected in limestone caves from Minas Gerais, Brazil: Indiani gaspar sp. nov. (marte vênus). Based on a recent phylogenetic analysis of Prodidominae, the new genus is closely to other Neotropical Prodidominae, such as Lygromma, Brasilomma and Moreno by sharing a classic claw tuft clasper. Indiani gen. nov. is characterized by a ventral parallel rows of strong spines on tibia and metatarsus I–II, male palp with sclerotized conductor and the robust median apophysis is curved retrolaterally; the female epigyne has an anterior atrium and a posterior extension of the epigynal plate. As other cave Prodidominae, Indiani gen. nov. has morphological characteristics, such as loss or reduction of eyes and weak pigmentation, that indicate an adaptation for living in subterranean environments.

A new genus of cave spider from Neotropical region (Gnaphosidae: Prodidominae)

A new monotypic genus of Prodidominae, Indiani gen. nov., is proposed to include one cave species collected in limestone caves from Minas Gerais, Brazil: Indiani gaspar sp. nov. (marte vênus). Based on a recent phylogenetic analysis of Prodidominae, the new genus is closely to other Neotropical Prodidominae, such as Lygromma, Brasilomma and Moreno by sharing a classic claw tuft clasper. Indiani gen. nov. is characterized by a ventral parallel rows of strong spines on tibia and metatarsus I–II, male palp with sclerotized conductor and the robust median apophysis is curved retrolaterally; the female epigyne has an anterior atrium and a posterior extension of the epigynal plate. As other cave Prodidominae, Indiani gen. nov. has morphological characteristics, such as loss or reduction of eyes and weak pigmentation, that indicate an adaptation for living in subterranean environments.

On the spider genus Cryptachaea from Peru, Bolivia and cave environments in Brazil: a new species, additional descriptions and new records (Araneae, Theridiidae).

In this paper a new species of Cryptachaea Archer, 1946 based on males and females is described from Brazilian caves: Cryptachaea pilar Santanna Rodrigues, new species from the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo. The females of Cryptachaea parana (Levi, 1963) and C. schneirlai (Levi, 1959) are described and illustrated for the first time. Cryptachaea uviana (Levi, 1963) is synonymized with C. migrans (Keyserling, 1884). The species Cryptachaea alacris (Keyserling, 1884), C. benivia Rodrigues Poeta, 2015, C. parana (Levi, 1963) and C. schneirlai (Levi, 1959) are recorded for the first from Brazil; and C. migrans for the first time from Bolivia. Additionally, new records from Brazilian caves are provided for Cryptachaea parana, from the states of Tocantins, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo; C. schneirlai and C. alacris from the state of Pará; C. dea (Buckup Marques, 2006) and C. rioensis (Levi, 1963) from Pará and Minas Gerais, C. jequirituba (Levi, 1963) from Minas Gerais and C. benivia from São Paulo.

Seven new species of the spider genus Matta Crosby from caves in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil (Araneae, Tetrablemmidae).

Seven new species of the spider genus Matta are described from caves in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil: M. zuiuda sp. n., Matta pititinha sp. n., Matta humhum sp. n., Matta cambito sp. n., Matta humrrum sp. n., Matta nuusga sp. n., and Matta teteia sp. n. Among these seven species, six have morphological features consistent with specialization to the subterranean environment and we hypothesize that they are troglobites. One species, Matta zuiuda sp. n., shares morphology similar to M. hambletoni Crosby and M. angelomachadoi Brescovit which are known from surface populations in the State of Minas Gerais.

A new genus of Micromygalinae (Araneae, Microstigmatidae) from Brazil, with transfer of Masteriaemboaba Pedroso, Baptista & Bertani, 2015 and description of six new species.

The family Microstigmatidae is composed of two subfamilies, Microstigmatinae and Micromygalinae, seven genera and 16 species. Micromygalinae is monotypic, comprising the species Micromygalediblemma Platnick & Forster, 1982 from Panama. A new genus, Tonton is described as a new member of the Micromygalinae. Masteriaemboaba Pedroso, Baptista & Bertani, 2015, is transferred to the new genus and six new species from Brazil are described and attributed to Tonton gen. n.: the type species, T.itabirito sp. n., T.queca sp. n., T.matodentro sp. n. and T.sapalo sp. n., all from the state of Minas Gerais; T.ipiau sp. n. from the state of Bahia and T.quiteria sp. n. from the state of Maranhão. Among the cavernicolous species, only T.itabirito sp. n. is considered troglobitic by the total absence of eyes.

On the spider genus Cryptachaea from Peru, Bolivia and cave environments in Brazil: a new species, additional descriptions and new records (Araneae, Theridiidae)

In this paper a new species of Cryptachaea Archer, 1946 based on males and females is described from Brazilian caves: Cryptachaea pilar Santanna & Rodrigues, new species from the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo. The females of Cryptachaea parana (Levi, 1963) and C. schneirlai (Levi, 1959) are described and illustrated for the first time. Cryptachaea uviana (Levi, 1963) is synonymized with C. migrans (Keyserling, 1884). The species Cryptachaea alacris (Keyserling, 1884), C. benivia Rodrigues & Poeta, 2015, C. parana (Levi, 1963) and C. schneirlai (Levi, 1959) are recorded for the first from Brazil; and C. migrans for the first time from Bolivia. Additionally, new records from Brazilian caves are provided for Cryptachaea parana, from the states of Tocantins, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo; C. schneirlai and C. alacris from the state of Pará; C. dea (Buckup & Marques, 2006) and C. rioensis (Levi, 1963) from Pará and Minas Gerais, C. jequirituba (Levi, 1963) from Minas Gerais and C. benivia from São Paulo.

Seven new species of the spider genus Matta Crosby from caves in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil (Araneae, Tetrablemmidae)

Seven new species of the spider genus Matta are described from caves in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil: M. zuiuda sp. n., Matta pititinha sp. n., Matta humhum sp. n., Matta cambito sp. n., Matta humrrum sp. n., Matta nuusga sp. n., and Matta teteia sp. n. Among these seven species, six have morphological features consistent with specialization to the subterranean environment and we hypothesize that they are troglobites. One species, Matta zuiuda sp. n., shares morphology similar to M. hambletoni Crosby and M. angelomachadoi Brescovit which are known from surface populations in the State of Minas Gerais.

A new genus of Micromygalinae (Araneae, Microstigmatidae) from Brazil, with transfer of Masteria emboaba Pedroso, Baptista & Bertani, 2015 and description of six new species

The family Microstigmatidae is composed of two subfamilies, Microstigmatinae and Micromygalinae, seven genera and 16 species. Micromygalinae is monotypic, comprising the species Micromygale diblemma Platnick & Forster, 1982 from Panama. A new genus, Tonton is described as a new member of the Micromygalinae. Masteria emboaba Pedroso, Baptista & Bertani, 2015, is transferred to the new genus and six new species from Brazil are described and attributed to Tonton gen. n.: the type species, T. itabirito sp. n., T. queca sp. n., T. matodentro sp. n. and T. sapalo sp. n., all from the state of Minas Gerais; T. ipiau sp. n. from the state of Bahia and T. quiteria sp. n. from the state of Maranhao. Among the cavernicolous species, only T. itabirito sp. n. is considered troglobitic by the total absence of eyes.