A new genus and two new species of the millipede family Chelodesmidae from Bahia state, northeastern Brazil, including a likely troglobiont (Diplopoda, Polydesmida).

A new genus and two new species of Chelodesmidae are described from two caves of the Joo Rodrigues river system in Bahia state, northeastern Brazil: Strongylosomides troglobius sp. nov. and Rotundotergum elevatum gen. nov., sp. nov. The former species differs from congeners primarily by the gonopods showing the prefemoral process strongly fused caudally along its basal half to the acropodite and, in showing such troglomorphic traits as a nearly unpigmented and fragile body with thin tegument, it seems the first troglobiont to be documented in the genus. Moreover, this new species seems to be so remarkably similar to Leptodesmus stercoriarius Schubart, 1956, from Minas Gerais state, that the following new combination is warranted: Strongylosomides stercoriarius (Schubart, 1956), comb. nov. ex Leptodesmus de Saussure, 1859. The new genus, Rotundotergum gen. nov., seems to be especially similar to Eucampesmella Schubart, 1955, but differs clearly by the absence of a secondary process on the gonopodal prefemoral process, coupled with the latter being unusually long and strongly separated from the acropodite. The type species R. elevatum sp. nov., being partly clearly pigmented, seems to be only troglophilic. The region generally supports a typical dry tropical climate, whereas the caves represent sites with high humidity, this being essential for the survival of these and other species. However, these habitats remain unprotected by Brazilian law, while the Joo Rodrigues River system is threatened by irrigation projects, potential limestone exploitation, asphalt and road widening or construction that pass across the system and can collapse the rock, and pollution of the subterranean drainage. We hope that the new species described here could help us protect their type localities and the Joo Rodrigues River system as a whole.

Two new species of the millipede family Trichopolydesmidae from Bahia state, northeastern Brazil, including a remarkable threatened troglobiont (Diplopoda, Polydesmida).

Phaneromerium troglopterygotum sp. nov. and Moojenodesmus schubarti sp. nov. are described from Bahia state, northeastern Brazil. The former species is a remarkable troglobiont relict endemic to a single limestone cave from the Serra do Ramalho karst area; it shows some clear-cut troglomorphic traits, and particular biology and ecology. The latter species occurs close to limestone outcrops of the Serra do Iuiu karst area. Both regions generally support a typical dry tropical climate, but the cave and outcrop habitats represent sites with high humidity, this being essential for the survival of these and other species.