Scolopocryptops troglocaudatus Chagas-Jr & Bichuette, 2015

Chagas-Jr, Amazonas & Bichuette, Maria Elina, 2018, A synopsis of centipedes in Brazilian caves: hidden species diversity that needs conservation (Myriapoda, Chilopoda), ZooKeys 737, pp. 13-56 : 23

Scolopocryptops troglocaudatus Chagas-Jr & Bichuette, 2015

Published records.

( Chagas-Jr and Bichuette 2015).

Material examined.

BAHIA: Andaraí ("Campos rupestres" highland heterogeneous vegetation on rocks), Sandstone: Gruna Parede Vermelha, (UFSCAR) 1 spec, 11.ii.2012, Bichuette, ME., Gallão, JE., Giupponi, A.; Gruna Lava Pé, (UFSCAR) 3 spec, 10.iv.2014, (UFSCAR) 2 spec, 10.iii.2013, and (UFSCAR) 1 spec, vii.2016, Gallão, JE.; (UFSCAR) 2 spec, 10.iii.2012, Bichuette, ME., Gallão, JE., Giupponi, A.

Remarks.

Scolopocryptops troglocaudatus is a troglobitic species, morphologically close to S. miersii and S. ferrugineus macrodon , but is distinguished by troglomorphic features, including depigmentation, long appendages (locomotory and ultimate legs), and thin cuticle ( Chagas-Jr and Bichuette 2015).

Distribution.

This troglobitic species is likely endemic to Bahia, being only known from siliciclastic (sandstone) caves of the Igatu region (Chapada Diamantina). Its distributional area there is approximately 10 km2 ( Chagas-Jr and Bichuette 2015).

Habitat.

Cave (unconsolidated substrate - sand).

Conservation.

A second troglobitic centipede species occurs in the same region (unpublished data, Chagas-Jr), corroborating the hypothesis of an area high in cave-invertebrate diversity ( Gallão and Bichuette 2015). Within this region, at least 20 endemic troglobitic species are distributed in a 25 km2 area. Although the region is within the Chapada Diamantina National Park (CDNP), small-scale illegal mining persists in the Igatu region and serves as the main threat to cave fauna.