Brazilian cave heritage under siege

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Two new sympatric cave species of Castellanethes (Isopoda, Oniscidea, Olibrinidae) from Western High Atlas of Morocco

Two new sympatric isopod species of the genus Castellanethes (Olibrinidae) are described from caves located in the Western High Atlas of Morocco. Both species present troglomorphic traits, such as the absence of body pigmentation and eyes and are, therefore, considered cave-dwelling species (troglobitic). Castellenethes ougougensis sp. nov. was found in five caves, while C. ighousi sp. nov. is an amphibious species found in only two caves, which also harbour populations of C. ougougensis sp. nov. Additionally, notes on their habitats are provided, as well as a discussion on their conservation status

First record of Pisidium subtruncatum Malm, 1855 (Bivalvia, Sphaeriidae) in an African cave

Volume: 34Start Page: 99-10

L’INTÉRÊT DE L’OCT-SA DANS LA SURVEILLANCE DE LA GREFFE DE MEMBRANE AMNIOTIQUE

Introduction :La perforation de cornée est une situation pathologique fréquente en urgence ophtalmologique.Et la greffe de membrane amniotique garde sa place dans sa prise en charge en favorisant l'épithélialisation cornéenne à l’aide de ses caractéristiques anti-fibrotiques, anti-inflammatoires, anti-angiogéniques et antimicrobiennes.Le But du travail est d’analyser les caractéristiques structurales de la cornée et de la membrane amniotique et d’évaluer les changements de la membrane après son intégration à la cornée à l’aide de l’OCT-SA.Matériel et méthode : étude prospective menée au sein du service d’ophtalmologie du centre hospitalier Mohammed VI de Marrakech, et portant sur 63 cas de perforations cornéennes, d’ulcères profonds ou pré-perforatifs.Résultats :31 patients ont présenté un ulcère perforé, 23 ont présenté un ulcère pré-perforatif et 9 ont eu une perforation cornéenne post-traumatique.93,6% des patients ont bénéficié d’une greffe de membrane amniotique en multicouches.L’OCT-SA a été réalisée avant le geste opératoire à chaque fois que cela était possible.A J2, l’épaisseur moyenne de la membrane amniotique inlay était de 231±132µm. A J8, cette épaisseur a diminué à 112±40µm. A J25, plus de 90% des malades ont intégré la membrane dans l’épaisseur cornéenne avec une épaisseur cornéenne moyenne de 495±85µm.L’intégration de cette membrane a été associée à la fibrose partielle de cette dernière, permettant ainsi la restitution de l’épaisseur cornéenne et la régénération cornéenne.Discussion:La greffe de membrane amniotique constitue une meilleure alternative dans la prise en charge des perforations cornéennes et les ulcères pré-perforatifs. Dans le suivi de la greffe de membrane amniotique, l’examen à la LAF reste indispensable. Pourtant, le monitorage par OCT-SA permet de faire une meilleure quantification de l’épaisseur cornéenne et de sa structure.Conclusion :La greffe de membrane amniotique est la meilleure alternative dans la prise en charge des perforations cornéennes et des ulcères pré-perforatifs. Son intégration à l’épaisseur cornéenne est toujours associée à sa ré-épithélialisation. Ainsi, l’OCT-SA constitue l’examen de choix pour une meilleure surveillance de l’intégration de cette membrane

Impacts of Anthropogenic Factors on the Groundwater Ecosystem of Fezouata in South-East of Morocco

The depletion of aquifer systems in arid and semiarid regions worldwide is causing acute water scarcity and quality degradation, and leading to extensive ecosystem damages. Groundwater is exposed to a variety of anthropogenic water pollution, such as raw wastewater disposal in the Draa Wadi and the use of septic tanks. In this respect, a study performed in some wells of Fezouata (South-east of Morocco) aimed at both discovering the main components of the aquatic subterranean fauna unknown up to now in this area, and the potential relationships between this fauna and the water quality The principal physico-chemical characteristics of water were measured between November 2019 to March 2021 for 15 wells, which were selected considering their position with respect to the pollution sources known in surface. The Fezouata groundwater is distinguished by its high salinity with an increasing gradient from upstream to downstream. The aquatic fauna in the 15 wells showed 12 stygofauna species. In the protected wells which are situated far from the pollution sources, the fauna is dominated by Cirolanidae, Hydrobiidae, Metacrangonctydae, Stenasellidae, and Thermosbaenacea. On the other hand, in the less protected well, close to the pollution sources, the fauna is made of epigean species, such as insect’s larva, mainly Culicidae and Chironomidae. The analysis of the water quality and the subterranean biodiversity shows that the latter decreases with increasing groundwater pollution. It seems that the impact of the acute pollution affected the stygocenose even by reducing drastically the biodiversity

Imazighenjapyx Sendra & Sanchez-Garcia 2023, gen. nov.

Genus <i>Imazighenjapyx</i> Sendra & Sánchez-García gen. nov. <p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: ADDB00E9-BDE5-4007-82AB-2A2A8B3F5572</p> Type species <p> <i>Imazighenjapyx marocanus</i> Sendra & Sánchez-García gen. et sp. nov.</p> Diagnosis <p>Body large and elongate; epicuticle reticulate; abdominal segment X with micropores at high magnification. Antennae with 41 antennomeres; medial and distal antennomeres with a few ms and abundant s setae, plus two whorls of micro-barbed sM setae; apical antennomere with abundant placoid sensilla (up to 24). Pronotum, mesonotum, and metanotum with 5+5 M1−5. Prosternum with up to 72 M; meso-poststernum with up to 19 M; meso-intersternum with up to 22 M; mesosternum with up to 84 M; meta-poststernum with up to 26 M; meta-intersternum with up to 21 M; and metasternum with up to 99 M; scutum urotergite I with 1+1 M5; urotergite II with 10 M; urotergites III‒VII with 12 M; urite X with 17 M, ventral side with 52 M setae; urosternite I with up to 120 M setae on scutum, plus 200 sM setae on posterior position. Median glandular organ with abundant pseudospores; each lateral subcoxal organ with one row of glandular setae and one row of sensory setae; urosternites II‒III with about 140 M setae; urosternites IV‒VII with about 160 M setae; urosternite VIII with about 50 M setae between two well-defined carinae; cerci asymmetric with subsymmetric teeth, rectilinear along the proximal half, and curved in the distal half. Cerci with concave top side and with distal end up; right cercus with pointed medial tooth, predental margin bearing two rows of denticles; very protruded postdental margin looking like a scraper shape with a row of denticles; left cercus predental margin with three rows, postdental margin with small round denticles ending before the hook.</p> Etymology <p> The genus name is a combination of the prefix <i>Imazighen</i> and the suffix <i>Japyx</i>. Berbers call themselves Imazighen, which means ‘free men’ or ‘noble men’.</p>Published as part of <i>Sendra, Alberto, Sánchez-García, Alba, Hoch, Hannelore, Jiménez-Valverde, Alberto, Selfa, Jesús, Moutaouakil, Soumia, Preez, Gerhard Du, Millar, Ian & Ferreira, Rodrigo Lopes, 2023, Life in darkness: an overview of cave-adapted japygids (Hexapoda, Diplura), pp. 1-54 in European Journal of Taxonomy 894 (1)</i> on page 12, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.894.2287, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8388995">http://zenodo.org/record/8388995</a&gt

Imazighenjapyx marocanus Sendra & Sanchez-Garcia 2023, gen. et sp. nov.

<i>Imazighenjapyx marocanus</i> Sendra & Sánchez-García gen. et sp. nov. <p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 59A02F26-DCDF-49DC-AA64-B0E88526A63C</p> <p>Figs 8–15</p> Etymology <p>The specific name refers to the country of origin, Morocco.</p> Type material <p> <b>Holotype</b> MAROC • ♀; Agadir-Ida Outanane region, Imi Ougoug Cave; 30°36′44.83″ N, 9°28′1.64″ W; 26 Feb. 2020; Rodrigo Lopes Fereira leg.; labelled “♀-holotype - MHNM -ZAD01 ”; MHNM.</p> Description <p> BODY. Elongate (Fig. 15C‒D), length 26 mm; maximum width at urotergite VII 2.6 mm. Epicuticle reticulate under optical microscope; with micropores at higher magnifications (urite X with 4 micropores/μm 2, diameter 0.10‒0.14 μm (Fig. 11B). Cuticle unpigmented, with sclerotized areas on mandible tips, femoral and tibial condyles, ventral apodemes of abdominal segment VIII, distal part of styles, abdominal segment X, and cerci. Body and appendages covered with very abundant ms setae as well as s, sM, and M, in addition to abundant mbsM on antennae.</p> <p> HEAD. Antenna length 8.6 mm, 0.33× length of body, with 41 antennomeres; basal antennomere short, followed by three slightly longer antennomeres with reinforced borders visible on ventral side; medial antennomeres as long as wide (Fig. 8A–B). Proximal antennomeres with ms, s, and a few long M; medial and distal antennomeres with a few ms and abundant s setae plus to two whorls of mbsM (Fig. 8B); apical antennomere with s and mbsM and about 24 placoid sensilla distributed in 4‒5 groups (Fig. 8C‒F). Trichobothria present on antennomeres IV‒VI in a 2/3/3 pattern, with <i>a</i> trichobothria (dorsal one) in proximal position. Head with a few <i>s</i> setae and M and abundant ms setae; on dorsal side 14+14 M: A1, 4, S4, 6, V1−2, V4, M3, M5, I2, L4−5 and P1−2 (Fig. 9A); on ventral side: submentum with large 2+2 M in anterior and posterior position plus 5+5 sM, admentum with 3+3 M, mentum at base of labial palps with 2+2 M; external lobes of mentum with abundant sM; the pair of the exertil vesicles of the external lobes visible in the holotype (Fig. 10A). Labial palp 4× as long as wide, with one proximal sM and seven medial and distal sM. Lacinia falciform, well sclerotized, with the five laminae pectinate.</p> <p>THORAX. Thoracic segments elongate, with a few s and abundant ms setae. Pronotum with 5+5 M1−5 and 6+6 sM; prescutum of mesonotum with 1+1 M; mesonotum with 5+5 M1−5 and 6+6 sM; prescutum of metanotum with 1+1 M and 3+3 sM; metanotum with 5+5 M1−5 and 11+11 sM (Fig. 9B‒D). Thoracic sternites, intersternites, and presternites well-defined with ms, s, and M; sM difficult to distinguish from M so they have all been counted as M (Fig. 10B‒D). Pro-presternites and pro-, meso- and metasternites with internal Y-shaped cuticular structures (furcisternites) (Barlet & Carpentier 1962); only in pro-presternites the prolongation of the posterior branch (spine) is visible on the surface (Denis 1949). Pro-presternum with 4+5 M; prosternum with 6 medial anterior M, 7+7 lateral anterior M, and 26+26 lateral posterior M; meso-poststernum with 10+9 M; meso-intersternum with 11+11 M; mesosternum with 12 medial anterior M, 11+11 lateral anterior M, and 25+25 posterior M; meta-poststernum with 14+12 M; meta-intersternum with 11+10 M; metasternum with 19 medial anterior M, 12+14 lateral anterior M, and 20+24 posterior M (Fig. 10B‒D). Legs slightly short, hind leg 4.9 mm long, reaching third abdominal segment. Femur-tibia-tarsus articulations with a row of sM; coxa and trochanter with 9 ventral M; femur with 6 ventral and 5 dorsal M; tibia with 6 ventral and 3 dorsal M; tarsus with 3 dorsal M and abundant sM plus two ventral rows of seven and six thick setae and a calcar at ventral apex thicker than other M. Pretarsus with two short, thick, unequal claws and a sharp medial unguiculus.</p> <p>ABDOMEN. Abdominal tergites with scarce s and sM. Prescutum of urotergite I with 1+1, scutum with 1+1 sM (ma), 1+1 M5 and 2+1 sM; urotergite II with 1+1 sM (ma), 2+2 M1−2, and 2+2 M4−5; urotergites III‒VII with 1+1 ma and 5+5 M1‒5; tergite VIII with 5+5 M1−5; urite IX with 8+8 ventral M (Fig. 9E‒F). Urite X (Fig. 12A‒D) 1.8× as long as wide, with distinctly marked carinae; carinae with subparallel margins slightly converging towards posterior border; dorsal side with 6+6 M intracarinal (D1−6 M), 1+1 M between D2, one sagittal M between D4, 1+1 M between D6 (Fig. 12A), acropygium rounded (Fig. 12A); lateral side with 7+7−8+8 M (L), and several sM (Fig. 12C); ventral side with 52 M setae apparently arranged in 6 rows from right lateral side to left lateral side (Fig. 12D). Urosternites with scarce ms and s setae and abundant sM and short M. Prescutum of urosternite I with 12+13 M; scutum with up to 120 M plus 200 sM on posterior position (Fig. 10E). Median glandular organ with abundant pseudospores (Ps), more than 30 (Fig. 11B). Lateral subcoxal organ with one row of about 120 glandular setae (GS) and one row of 140 sensory setae (SS); lateral subcoxal organ occupying 0.38× of interstylar area; GS/st1 (stylus of first sternite) = 0.3; SS/st1= 0.08 (Fig. 11A). Urosternites II‒III with about 140 M; urosternites IV‒VII with about 160 M; urosternite VIII with about 50 M between two well-defined carinae plus 5+5 M on lateral side of carinae (Fig. 10F‒I). Cerci asymmetric, strong, length 2.3 mm, straight in the proximal half and curved in the distal half, becoming a large hook towards apex; heavily sclerotized with dorsal and ventral outer carinae arising from dorsal and ventral acetabular articulations; carinae extending to apex ventrally and almost reaching the apex dorsally (Figs 13A, 14A‒B). Cerci dorsally concave and with the distal ends upward (Fig. 12C). Teeth subsymmetrical. Right cercus with medial tooth pointed; predental margin with two rows of 3+3 small round denticles; postdental margin scraper-like, very protruding, with a row of 15 denticles terminating near the hook. Predental margin of left cercus with three rows of 8+5+7 denticles (superior and intermediate rows with round denticles; inferior row with pointed denticles) terminating at medial large tooth; postdental margin with 11 small round denticles terminating before the hook. Right cercus with 18, 32, 30 M (dorsal, lateral, and ventral); left cercus with 19, 30, 30 M (dorsal, lateral, and ventral). Campaniform sensilla present on hook and inner margins of cerci (Figs 13‒14).</p> Taxonomic affinities <p> Following Paclt (1957a) <i>Imazighenjapyx marocanus</i> Sendra & Sánchez-García gen. et sp. nov. resembles <i>Indjapyx</i> in the morphology of the cerci with two predental rows on the right and left margins, and in simple lateral subcoxal organ with pseudospores on the medial organ. The genus <i>Indjapyx</i> has 27 described species, all of which are from southern mainland Asia and islands (Pagés 1984, 1994, 2002). As pointed out by Silvestri (1930a) and Pagés (1984), a distinctive feature of <i>Indjapyx</i> is the proximal position of the <i>a</i> trichobothria (dorsal one), which is also present in <i>Imazighenjapyx marocanus</i> gen. et sp. nov. However, <i>I. marocanus</i> lacks the typical abundant ms setae on dorsal head and shows three characters unknown in other japygid taxa: the right cercus has a highly protruding, scraper-like postdental margin; the numerous thoracic macrosetae (prosternum with 72 M, mesosternum with 84 M and metasternum 89 M); and the singular micro-barbed sM on antennomeres.</p> Habitat <p>Imi Ougoug is a limestone cave located 43 kilometres northeast of Agadir City, at the bottom of a cliff overlooking the Talmat River. The cave is 1097 meters long. It has a low entrance leading to a narrow zig-zag passage that bifurcates after 10 meters; on the left, the largest upstream segment leads to a large chamber (32 m long and 9 m high in the middle). This part is separated into two sections that end with siphons. On the right, a sinuous path with casings and basins continues alternately and terminates 435 m from the entrance, at - 65 m, on a little siphoning lake (Fig. 15).</p> <p> Forty meters from the entrance, a single specimen of <i>Imazighenjapx marocanus</i> gen. et sp. nov. was discovered in the right branch. The specimen was found on the cave wall in a lateral overflow of the meander between a temporary waterfall and the first lake.</p> <p>The entrance’s morphology, which is completely rounded, and all other morphological elements clearly indicate a losing stream function for the downstream part (right): pebbles and a giant’s kettle indicate a free flow. Many ancient stalagmitic masses that eroded and polished with a marble appearance stand noticeably. However, it appears that in the event of a severe flood, the cavity will almost completely fill up.</p> <p>After “Win-Timdouine” Cave, this is the region’s second most touristic cave. It has several names: “Ifri Ouado”, a Berber term that means “the blowing cave” due to the air current that comes out of it. The other name for the cave is “grotte des araignées,” which means “cave of spiders” referring to the large quantity of opilions that can be found there behind the entrance.</p>Published as part of <i>Sendra, Alberto, Sánchez-García, Alba, Hoch, Hannelore, Jiménez-Valverde, Alberto, Selfa, Jesús, Moutaouakil, Soumia, Preez, Gerhard Du, Millar, Ian & Ferreira, Rodrigo Lopes, 2023, Life in darkness: an overview of cave-adapted japygids (Hexapoda, Diplura), pp. 1-54 in European Journal of Taxonomy 894 (1)</i> on pages 12-21, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.894.2287, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8388995">http://zenodo.org/record/8388995</a&gt

Life in darkness: an overview of cave-adapted japygids (Hexapoda, Diplura)

Few species of Japygidae (Diplura) have been discovered in cave ecosystems despite their importance as large predators. A small collection of rare specimens of this hexapod group has allowed to explore the taxonomy of japygids from caves in New Zealand, Morocco and South Africa, and to describe one new genus: Imazighenjapyx Sendra & Sánchez-García gen. nov., as well as four new species: Austrjapyx wynbergensis Sendra & Sánchez-García sp. nov., Imazighenjapyx marocanus Sendra & Sánchez-García gen. et sp. nov., Opisthjapyx naledi Sendra & Sánchez-García sp. nov. and Teljapyx aotearoa Sendra & Sánchez-García sp. nov. For each of the new taxa we give a comprehensive description of their habitats. These new findings resulted in a revision of the distribution and allowed to re-evaluate the morphological traits of the fifteen cave-adapted japygids species already known worldwide. The functional morphology of the remarkable abdominal pincers of Japygidae and their adaptation to predation are discussed, as well as their potential role in mating behaviour

Teljapyx aotearoa Sendra & Sanchez-Garcia 2023, sp. nov.

<i>Teljapyx aotearoa</i> Sendra & Sánchez-García sp. nov. <p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 0A203723-553E-402D-9E6C-B8B803157256</p> <p>Figs 24‒31</p> Etymology <p> The specific name <i>aotearoa</i> refers to the Māori name for New Zealand, often translated as “land of the long white cloud”.</p> Type material <p> <b>Holotype</b> NEW ZEALAND • Ô; Takaka, Council Cave; 40°52′35.95″ S, 172°50′46.55″ E, 4 Dec. 2020; Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira leg.; labelled “Ô1- holotype-AI.052510 ”; AI.</p> <p> <b>Paratypes</b></p> <p>NEW ZEALAND • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; labelled “ ♀ 1-paratype-MZB (MCNB) 2023-0619”; MZB • 1 Ô; same collection data as for holotype; labelled “Ô2-paratype -AI.052511”; MZB.</p> Other studied material <p>NEW ZEALAND • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; AS.</p> Description <p> BODY. Elongate (Figs 24D, 25B), length 28 mm in male holotype (29 mm in Ô2- paratype and 27.5 mm in ♀ 1- paratype). Maximum width at urotergite VII of 3 mm in Ô2- paratype, and 2.9 mm in holotype and ♀ 1- paratype. Epicuticle smooth, with numerous micropores in tergites and urosternites, with about 12 micropores/μm 2, diameter 0.18‒0.26 μm (Fig. 28B). Cuticle unpigmented, with slightly sclerotized areas on dorsal frontal head, mandible tips, femoral and tibial condyles, abdominal segments VIII–X, and cerci. Body and appendages covered with ms, s, sM, and M.</p> <p> HEAD. Antenna with 32 antennomeres, 0.50‒0.55× the length of body (14 mm long in holotype and ♀ 1- paratype; 16 mm in Ô2- paratype); first antennomere short, followed by three longer and wider antennomeres, the third and fourth being the largest and most elongated, twice as long as wide (Fig. 26C); medial antennomeres elongated, 1.3× as long as wide, with a large intersegmental ring between them (Fig. 26B).All antennomeres with sparse ms setae, plus three apparently whorls of long sM. Trichobothria present on antennomeres IV‒VI in a 2/3/3 pattern, with <i>a</i> trichobothria in distal position (Fig. 26C). Apical antennomere with 16‒18 placoid sensilla distributed in three irregular groups (Fig. 26A). Head with a few sM and ms; on dorsal side 18+18 M setae: A2−4, S2, 4, 6, M2−4, V2, 4, I1−3, I5, L5 and P1−2 (Fig. 24A); on ventral side: submentum with 1+1 large M in posterior position, admentum with 3+3 M, mentum with 1+1 M; external lobes of mentum with abundant sM. Pair of exertil vesicles of the external lobes visible in the holotype. Labial palp elongate, 10× as long as wide, with one proximal sM and four medial and distal sM, plus several ms. Lacinia falciform, well sclerotized, with the five laminae pectinate (Fig. 25A).</p> <p>THORAX. Thoracic segments elongate (Figs 24A‒C, 27A‒C). Pronotum with 5+5 M1–5, 4+4 sM, and numerous ms uniformly distributed; prescutum of mesonotum with 1+1 M; mesonotum with 6+6 M1–6 and abundant ms or sM; prescutum of metanotum with 1+1 M, metanotum with 5+5 M1–5 and a few ms; both prescuta with 1+1 M and scattered sM and ms. Thoracic sternites, intersternites, and presternites well-defined, with ms, sM, and M setae (Fig. 27A‒C). Pro-presternites and pro-, meso- and metasternites with strong internal Y-shaped cuticular structures (furcisternites) (Barlet & Carpentier 1962); only in pro-presternites the prolongation of the posterior branch (spine) is visible on the surface (Denis 1949). Pro-presternum with 1+1 lateral anterior M and 1+1 nearby sM; prosternum with 1+1 medial anterior M; 3+3 lateral anterior M, 1+1 medial intermediate M and 2+2 lateral posterior M; meso-poststernum with 4+4 M; meso-intersternum with 2+2 M; mesosternum with 1+1 medial anterior M, 3+3 lateral anterior M, 1+1 medial intermediate M, 1 sagittal M, 9+10 medial posterior M and 2+2 lateral posterior M; meta-poststernum with 4+4 M; meta-intersternum with 2+2 M; metasternum with 1+1 medial anterior M, 2+2 lateral anterior M, 1+1 sagittal M, 1+1 medial intermediate M, 10+13 medial posterior M and 2+2 lateral posterior M (Fig. 27 A−C). Legs elongate, hind leg reaching sixth abdominal segment, 6.8 mm long in holotype, 7.6 mm in ♀ 1- paratype and 8 mm in Ô2- paratype. No frictional setae between trochanter-coxa-femur articulations; femur-tibia-tarsus articulations with a row of long M or sM setae set on large sockets. Coxa with 4 distinct M; femur with 9‒10 M; tibia with more than 30 M, and tarsus with almost 30 M. Calcars not distinguishable from M in shape. Pretarsus with two simple and unequal claws (the shortest ⅔ the longest), and a pointed and short medial unguiculus.</p> <p>ABDOMEN. Abdominal tergites with a few ms, s, sM and M. Prescutum of urotergite I with 1+1 M, scutum with 1+1 M or sM (ma) and 1+1 M5 (Fig. 24E); urotergite II with 1+1 M (ma), 1+1 M1, and 2+2 M4−5; urotergites III‒VII with 1+1 M (ma) and 5+5 M1‒5 (Fig. 24F); urotergite VIII with 7+7 M; urite IX with 3+3 ventral M. Urite X 1.5× as long as wide, with marked carinae with subparallel margins slightly converging towards the posterior border; on dorsal side with 2+2 M intracarinal D1, 3, plus 1+1 M or 1 M between D1 (1 M in holotype); acropygium rounded (Fig. 29A); on lateral side with 3+3 M (L1, 3, 5) on carinae; on ventral side with four rows of 3+3 M, 3+3 M, 2+2 M and 2+2 M from anterior to posterior position. Lateral urotergites I‒IV with blunt, slightly rounded to pointed posterolateral angles; angles on urotergites V and VII slightly more conspicuous with small point; on urotergite VIII and urite IX with round end (Fig. 24E‒F). Urosternite I (Figs 25C, 28A) with ms and s setae; s setae being so abundant as to define a lateral field of up to 150 on each side of the posterior half of scutum, previous to the lateral subcoxal organs; prescutum with 3+3 M and scutum with 11+ 11 M. Medial glandular organ with 2+2 minute setae or no visible setae. Lateral subcoxal organ with one to three rows of glandular setae (GS) with about 140‒180 in males and 60‒70 in females and one row of sensory setae (SS) with about 60‒90 in males and 30 in females; lateral subcoxal organ occupying 0.30× of interstylar area (in males and females); GS/st1 (stylus of first sternite) = 0.2‒0.3 (males) and 0.35‒0.45 (females), SS/st1= 0.12 (males) and 0.2 (females) (Fig. 28A). Urosternites II‒VII with a few ms and strong M setae; urosternites II‒VII with three rows of: 7+7 A M, 4+4 B M and 5+5 C M; urosternite VIII with: 2+2 A M, 2+2 B M and 3+3 C M (Fig. 25D). Genital papilla in male with large lateral appendages (Fig. 25F). Cerci strong, well-developed, elongate, straight along the proximal half and curved in the distal half, becoming a small hook towards apex (Figs 29–31); length ranging from 3 mm in largest specimen (Ô2- paratype) to 2.9 mm in holotype and ♀ - paratype, always slightly longer than urite X; cerci heavily sclerotized, with dorsal and ventral outer carinae arising from dorsal and ventral acetabular joints; carinae extending almost to apex ventrally and halfway dorsally. Cerci asymmetric with a distinct concave top side with distal end slightly upward. Right cercus with round or pointed medial tooth; predental margin with two rows of 3+3 small, round denticles; postdental margin with a row of 14‒16 small denticles reaching near the hook. Predental margin of left cercus with two rows of denticles apart mostly on the middle; superior row with 14 small round denticles ending before the postmedial denticle smaller than the right cercus; inferior row with 12 small round denticles ending in the postmedial tooth; postdental margin with a row of 12 tiny denticles ending before the hook. Right/left cercus with about 12/15, 15/12, 20/25 dorsal, lateral and ventral long and short M; campaniform sensilla distributed mainly on hook and scarce on inner margins (Figs 29−31). We have included cerci morphology observations in a video production, an animated movie produced with scientific supervision by José Antonio Peñas (see Supp. file 1).</p> Taxonomic affinities <p> The taxonomical features of <i>Teljapyx aotearoa</i> Sendra & Sánchez-García sp. nov. in cerci morphology, coxal organs of the first urosternite and pectinate maxillae match the original description of the genus <i>Teljapyx</i> Silvestri, 1949. <i>Teljapyx</i> was proposed for two species from South America (Silvestri 1949): <i>Teljapyx riestrai</i> Silvestri, 1949 and <i>Teljapyx megalocerus</i>, an already described species (Silvestri 1905). Paclt (1957a) in his monography of the group proposed to include within the genus <i>Teljapyx</i> a total of 19 species from five other genera: <i>Japyx</i> Haliday, 1864; <i>Catajapyx</i> Silvestri, 1933; <i>Sinjapyx</i> Silvestri, 1949; <i>Proncojapyx</i> Silvestri, 1949 and <i>Congjapyx</i> Pagés, 1954. Furthermore, Smith (1959) included another species but using different criteria from those presented by Silvestri (1949) and Paclt (1957a), that is, the presence of a pair of predental denticles in both cerci. <i>Teljapyx aotearoa</i> has close morphological and geographical similarities to <i>Teljapyx leai</i> (Silvestri, 1930), described from Tasmania and later found in mainland Australia (Womersley 1939). Several differences between <i>T. leai</i> and <i>T. aotearoa</i> can be observed. First, body size and appendages are larger and more elongated in <i>T. aotearoa</i> than in <i>T. leai</i>: <i>T. leai</i> with a body length of up to 13.2 mm and a cerci length of 1.2 mm vs up to 29 mm body and 3 mm cerci in <i>T. aotearoa</i>. Second, <i>T. leai</i> has 30 antennomeres vs 32 antennomeres in <i>T. aotearoa</i>; the urotergite X in <i>T. leai</i> has 3+3 D1–3 intracarinal dorsal macrosetae and <i>T. aotearoa</i> has 2+2 D1, 3 but 1 or 2 sagittal between D1 macrosetae; and the right cercus has a predental margin with two rows of 1+3 denticles in <i>T. leai</i> vs 3+3 denticles in <i>T. aotearoa</i>.</p> Habitat <p>Council Cave is located near the Motupipi settlement in Golden Bay, on a small limestone outcrop approximately 1 km long and less than 100 m wide exposed by the uplift of the nearby Pikikiruna Fault. The Motupipi limestone is presumed to be continuous under the bed of Dry River with a larger block immediately north of Dry River. It also continues beneath overlying geologies to the west, probably for a considerable distance. Almost the entire Motupipi limestone outcrop, including the section containing Council Cave, is overlain by the Council Cave Scenic Reserve. The reserve still maintains a reasonable amount of native vegetation (Fig. 32A) although it is heavily covered by exotic species.</p> <p>Council Cave is the largest known cave in the outcrop. The main entrance (Fig. 32B), at the northernmost point of the cave, is located close to a small road lying at about the level of the pasture, which extends from the western side of the limestone. The cave has a main, mostly dry, horizontal passage 170 m long that runs parallel with the edge of the limestone. This passage has suffered much damage in the past, from speleothem breakage to extensive graffiti. A second parallel conduit, which frequently holds a small stream, lies below and west of the main passage and has been explored up to at least 20 m beyond the end of the upper level. This lower conduit is often inaccessible due to water rising to roof level in many low areas.</p> <p> The main conduit of Council Cave presents several speleothems (Fig. 32C), although the floor is mainly covered by sediments. Specimens of <i>Teljapyx aotearoa</i> sp. nov. were observed, especially at the deeper regions of the cave. During the samplings, specimens were observed freely walking on the cave floor, notably on areas covered by sediments (Fig. 32D). Individuals moved slowly by feeling the substrate with their long antennae. Specimens seem not to react to light, so that these organisms apparently do not show phototaxy. No specimens were observed close to each other. When disturbed (by the touch of a brush) they moved quickly, trying to hide in cracks or spaces under rocks.</p> <p> It is important to note that Council Cave is one of the most important caves in New Zealand for its cave-restricted fauna, which has beetles, harvestmen, diplurans, centipedes, and spiders (Santos <i>et al.</i> 2019). Fortunately, the cave is now protected by its scenic reserve status, and visitors can only access its main cave conduit via a locked gate. The key is held at the local office of the Department of Conservation, thereby ensuring sufficient protection. In this way, the Department is aware of who enters the cave and for what reason. At present, there is no official permit system for entry, although it could be implemented in the future.</p>Published as part of <i>Sendra, Alberto, Sánchez-García, Alba, Hoch, Hannelore, Jiménez-Valverde, Alberto, Selfa, Jesús, Moutaouakil, Soumia, Preez, Gerhard Du, Millar, Ian & Ferreira, Rodrigo Lopes, 2023, Life in darkness: an overview of cave-adapted japygids (Hexapoda, Diplura), pp. 1-54 in European Journal of Taxonomy 894 (1)</i> on pages 29-38, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.894.2287, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8388995">http://zenodo.org/record/8388995</a&gt