Coarazuphium bambui (Carabidae: Zuphiini), a new cave-dwelling beetle from the threatened region of Serra do Ramalho, Brazil.

To date, 20 species of obligate cave-dwelling beetles are known from Brazil, and 12 belong to the Coarazuphium genus. In this paper, we describe Coarazuphium bambui sp. n., from two specimens, one male and one female, collected in the Gruna Boca da Lapa cave located in the municipality of Feira da Mata (Bahia state, Brazil). The most striking difference between C. bambui and other species of the genus is the presence of three pairs of fixed setae posteriorly on the head, combined with the slightly elytral sinuosity. We also provide an updated key for species identification of the Coarazuphium genus. Finally, we highlight the importance of the Serra do Ramalho karst area for the conservation of troglobite diversity in the Brazilian context.

Coarazuphium lundi (Carabidae: Zuphiini), a new Brazilian troglobitic beetle, with the designation of a neotype for C. pains Álvares Ferreira, 2002.

In this paper, we describe Coarazuphium lundi sp. nov., from a single male specimen collected in Gruta 06L cave located in the municipality of Prudente de Morais (Minas Gerais state, Brazil). The two most striking differences between C. lundi and other species of the genus is the presence of two pairs of posterior supraorbital setae and the elytra shape with parallel, not rounded sides. Coarazuphium pains Álvares Ferreira 2002 is an endemic species restricted to a few caves at the Bambuí Carbonatic Group in the midwest of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The holotype of C. pains was unfortunately lost in 2010, due to a fire that destroyed almost the entire zoological collection at the Butantã Institute, São Paulo state in Brazil. In recent years, several species of the genus have been described and compared to C. pains only based on its paper description, clearly prompting the need for the C. pains neotype designation. In order to provide a necessary standard for comparison, a neotype is designed for this species based on the material collected from the best approximation of the type locality (caves). Lastly, we also provide a brief discussion on the presence of eyespots of C. cessaima, originally described as blind.

A peculiar new beetle from Brazil associated with a cave habitat (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Clivinini).

The new species Ardistomis ferreirai sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Some specific characters are discussed together with a possible correlation to the species subterranean way of life. Available ecological data and recordings are provided by description of the caves and the specific threats to the caves are indicated.

Ultrastructural analysis and polymorphisms in Coarazuphium caatinga (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Zuphiini), a new Brazilian troglobitic beetle.

Coarazuphium caatinga sp. n. occurs in limestone caves located in Campo Formoso municipality, in the Brazilian Caatinga (Bahia, Brazil). The new species is close to C. formoso although they are morphologically distinct by the elytra sinuosity, which is more pronounced in C. caatinga; the aedeagus is more tapered at the tip in this last species. Important traits found in C. caatinga are the variable size presented by the eyes, and the remarkable variability of body pigmentation among specimens; both traits do not seem to be correlated. Coarazuphium Gnaspini, P., Vanin, S.A. & Godoy, N.M., 1998, species exhibit advanced troglomorphic characters in comparison to other Brazilian cave beetles, as are increased extra-optic sensory structures, presence of particular sensilla, and sensory and gustatory receptors. These characters are not detected under routine microscopy and thus require ultrastructural methods for their study.