Novas espécies de Entomobryoidea (Collembola, Entomobryomorpha) em áreas de Caatinga da Chapada Diamantina, Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

Springtails are very diversified microarthropods, often found in the soil. They are members of the edaphic mesofauna, where they compose the basis of soil food chain, as well as they act in the cycling of nutrients and organic matter decomposition. Considered as bioindicators of soil quality, they provide rapid responses to environmental variations, including those associated with anthropogenic action. The superfamily Entomobryoidea is the richest in species among the Collembola, being constituted mainly by epiedaphic species, with Entomobryidae and Paronellidae as its main families, both well represented in Brazil. The focus of this study was to identify and describe new species following specialized literature, in addition to expanding the list of taxa records for the region. The collections were carried out in Bahia State, in the municipalities of Abaíra, Andaraí and Lençóis, using pitfall traps and entomological aspirators to capture specimens directly from the substrate. In the laboratory it was performed the screening, morphotyping and assembly of the individuals in slide for microscopy. Four new species were described: Dicranocentrus sp. nov.; Entomobrya sp. nov.; Seira (Lepidocyrtinus) sp. nov. and Trogolaphysa sp. nov. These species were compared for distinctive morphological aspects such as colour pattern, number of spines of the metatrochanteral organ, dorsal head and body chaetotaxy, and also the chaetae composition of the labial region. Nine records were cataloged, and added to previous listings, totaling 24 species and morphospecies for the Chapada Diamantina. The results presented in this work point to this ecoregion as an area rich in Entomobryoidea, potentially with more new species than expected. This survey promotes the knowledge of the occurrence of the group in Caatinga areas and, consequently, leads to a greater understanding of biodiversity in this area. In addition, this taxonomic study generates data that can make feasible the realization of future conservation measures.