The Protura (Insecta) of Brazil, especially Amazonas

Abstract

26 species of Protura are now known from Brazil. Seven new species are described in the present paper, viz. Berberentulus becki, nelsoni, hagmannarum, ovei, Eosentomon curupira, proximum and caatingae. Eight species are redescribed, viz. Brasilidia tropica Nos., Brasilentulus huetheri Nos., Berberentulus tuxeni Nos. & Huether (which was desc¡ibed as a Gracilentulus), Berberentulus huetheri Nos., brailianus Nos., amazonicus Nos., Eosentomon huetheri Nos. and hoogstraali Nos.. Gracilentulus neotropi cus Nos. is synonymized with G.kenyanus (Cdé). The known distribution within Brazil is given for each species as well as its biotope and location within this. The Protura are best known from Amazônia where they are found preferabty in the terra firme forest in the uppermost 3 to 5 cm where the soil is humous and interwoven with fungous hyphae. - In connection with my earlier paper on Isoentomon (Tuxen 1975) an interesting picture of the Brazilian Proturan fauna looms up, the geographical implications of which will be given elsewhere