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Issue: Vol. 5849 No. 2: 13 Jul. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-07-13
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5849.2.2
Page range: 169-185
Abstract views: 211
PDF downloaded: 18

Aegla bambui sp. nov. (Decapoda: Anomura: Aeglidae), a new obligate cave-dwelling species from southeastern Brazil

Department of Zoology; Institute of Biosciences; University of São Paulo (USP); Rua do Matão; n. 101; São Paulo - SP; Brazil; CEP: 05508-090; Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo (MZUSP); Av. Nazareth 481; 04263-000; São Paulo; Brazil
Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo (MZUSP); Av. Nazareth 481; 04263-000; São Paulo; Brazil
Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo (MZUSP); Av. Nazareth 481; 04263-000; São Paulo; Brazil
Bambuí Speleological Research Group; Av. Nossa Senhora do Carmo; 221 s.307/308; Belo Horizonte/MG; Brazil; CEP: 30.310-000
Laboratory of Bioecology and Crustacean Systematics (LBSC); Department of Biology; Faculty of Philosophy; Science and Letters at Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP); University of São Paulo (USP); Av. Bandeirantes 3900; Ribeirão Preto; SP; Brazil; CEP: 14040-901
Department of Zoology; Institute of Biosciences; University of São Paulo (USP); Rua do Matão; n. 101; São Paulo - SP; Brazil; CEP: 05508-090
Crustacea barcoding DNA freshwater anomuran integrative taxonomy stygobite subterranean habitat troglomorphic trait

Abstract

A new species of stygobitic Aegla is described and illustrated from the Alto Ribeira karst region in southeastern Brazil. It shows distinct troglomorphic traits, notably reduced corneal pigmentation, and is compared with the seven other stygobitic species of Aegla known to date. Phylogenetic analyses of three mitochondrial markers (COI, COII, and 16S) place Aegla bambui sp. nov. in the most recently diverged clade, sister to Aegla lachesis Bueno & Tavares, 2024 from the Ribeira de Iguape Basin. Owing to its restricted range and specialized habitat, Aegla bambui sp. nov. qualifies as Critically Endangered under IUCN criteria, in line with other stygobitic aeglids.

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How to Cite

Colavite, J., Tavares, M., Kersnovsky, A., Camargo, A., Mantelatto, F.L. & Bueno, S.L.D.S. (2026) Aegla bambui sp. nov. (Decapoda: Anomura: Aeglidae), a new obligate cave-dwelling species from southeastern Brazil. Zootaxa, 5849 (2), 169–185. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5849.2.2