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In this study the taxonomic status of three species of freshwater asellid isopod crustaceans, Lirceus hargeri, Lirceus usdagalun, and Lirceus culveri is evaluated using a large-scale RNA-seq data set. Whether each are distinct species, or whether they may be morphological variants of the same species is of particular importance for L. usdagalun, an endangered species, and L. culveri, a species of concern, since synonymy of the two could result in significantly reduced protections for the two taxa. RNA-seq was conducted on pooled individuals from each of two populations of L. usdagalun and L. hargeri, and one population of L. culveri. A single transcriptome was assembled de novo from the reads from all five populations, blasted against the NCBI non-redundant protein database, and sequence analysis was conducted on ≥ 13,468 highly expressed transcripts with significant blastx hits (E

Two out of the three common Asellidae species in Northern Europe are increasing their ranges, aided by humanactivities. Here we report the discovery of Proasellus coxalis (Dollfuss 1892) in new areas in Norway and thediscovery of Proasellus meridianus (Racovitza 1919) for the first time in the Nordic countries, verified withDNA barcoding. A new, detailed photo-identification guide to Asellus aquaticus Linnaeus 1758, P. coxalis andP. meridianus is presented. In addition to head pattern, attention is drawn to the female pleopods as an easy way to differentiate between the two genera. Then detailed examination of male pleopods 1 and 2 can differentiate between P. coxalis and P. meridianus. The origins, competitive relationships and potential dispersal mechanisms of the two introduced species and the native A. aquaticus are explored. By examining the shipping activity at the small, freshwater port where P. meridianus was found, we highlight the great connectivity between many European brackish and freshwater ports and possible pathways for species transfer. The risk of trans-oceanic freshwater to freshwater (not just brackish and saltwater) species transfer through ballast water needs to be better communicated. Proasellus coxalis may have been introduced to the river system of Lake Stokkalandsvatnet together with fish transported in microaquaria used as live bait for fishing.

With only 43 described stygobionts and only two isopod species the obligate groundwater fauna of Iran, a vast country with over 10% of limestone surface, is inadequately known. Here, we report the discovery of Asellus ismailsezarii sp. nov. from Zagros mountains, the first eyeless and depigmented asellid isopod from Iran. The new species is morphologically similar to Asellus monticola Birstein, 1932, but it is eyeless and fully depigmented, has a slightly curved pereopod IV and does not bear any setae on proximal margins of exopodite of pleopods IV and V. Species phylogenetic relationships using original and datamined mitochondrial DNA and nuclear rDNA, and estimation of molecular divergences with other Asellus species, suggest that A. ismailsezarii sp. nov. is sister to a larger clade that also contains the European A. aquaticus species complex. Surface populations of Asellus have colonized groundwater at multiple occasions and localities, both in Europe and Asia, giving rise to species and subspecies that have evolved troglomorphisms, such as depigmentation and loss of eyes. Of the 37 formally described species and subspecies of Asellus, 15 are from groundwater, including A. ismailsezarii sp. nov. We predict that many more obligate groundwater Asellus taxa are yet to be discovered in Asia.

DNA barcoding has become the most popular approach for species identification in recent years. As part of the German Barcode of Life project, the first DNA barcode library for terrestrial and freshwater isopods from Germany is presented. The analyzed barcode library included 38 terrestrial (78% of the documented species of Germany) and five freshwater (63%) species. A total of 513 new barcodes was generated and 518 DNA barcodes were analyzed. This analysis revealed surprisingly high intraspecific genetic distances for numerous species, with a maximum of 29.4% for Platyarthrus hoffmannseggii Brandt, 1833. The number of BINs per species ranged from one (32 species, 68%) to a maximum of six for Trachelipus rathkii (Brandt, 1833). In spite of such high intraspecific variability, interspecific distances with values between 12.6% and 29.8% allowed a valid species assignment of all analyzed isopods. The observed high intraspecific distances presumably result from phylogeographic events, Wolbachia infections, atypical mitochondrial DNAs, heteroplasmy, or various combinations of these factors. Our study represents the first step in generating an extensive reference library of DNA barcodes for terrestrial and freshwater isopods for future molecular biodiversity assessment studies.

Caecidotea chicoensis sp. nov. (Figs 10–13) Material examined: Holotype, male (CNCR 35516), length 9.5 mm, National Park Mineral del Chico, spring behind the visitor center, 20°11’01”N, 98°42’57”W, elev. 2985 m, Municipality Mineral del Chico, Hidalgo, Mexico, 12 December 2018, coll. L. García-Vázquez and M. C. Jordán-Hernández. Paratypes, male (CNCR 35517) length 9.5 mm; same data of collection and collectors as holotype; dissected parts pereiopod I, pereiopod IV, pleopod II; dissected structures for right pleopod drawings I, III, IV and V in the specimen tube. Females present in the same container. Diagnosis. Male body 3 times its width. Head rectangular, width 2.7 length, anterior margin concave; eyes small, oblique oval, length 1.5 width, postmandibular lobes produced. Pleotelson lateral margins parallel, caudomedial lobe subacute produced. Pleopod II protopod ventral surface with cuticular scales on dorsal edge; exopod with ornamentation on ventral surface; endopod medial surface with elongated transverse striations. Uropods irregular, lanceolate. Description. Male (CNCR 35516) 9.5 mm (Fig. 10A); head rectangular, width 2.7 times length, anterior margin concave. Eyes present, oval, dark pigmented, length 0.4 width. Postmandibular lobes produced. Subrectangular pereionites lateral margins straight with setae, as well as on dorsal surface. Pereionite 1 length 1.0 pereionite 2 length; pereionite 1 0.9 pereionite 3 length; pereionites 6–7 with subrectangular margins, posterior narrowing. Antennula flagellum with 11 articles, reaching distal antenna podomere middle, when projecting forward; last four segments with aestetascs in formula 0–1–1–1. Antenna flagellum with 67 articles; proximal article longer than wide, following articles decreasing in length. Pereiopod I (Figs 10B, 11A–B) propodus slender triangular, dactylus outer edge with simple setae as long as palm, irregular inner edge; inner and outer palmar margin with row simple setae; proximal process with 3 robust setae; mesial process acute, exceeding dactylus width. Pereiopods II–III (Fig. 10C – D) similar length. Pereiopod IV (Figs 10E, 11C), propodus with spine in dactylus; dactylus robust; dactylus length 0.5 propodus length, lower margin with five strong spines. Pereiopod V (Fig. 10F), basis similar length to propodus. Pereiopod VI (Fig. 10G) as long as pereiopod VII, basis length similar to carpus length. Pereiopod VII (Fig. 10H) 1.2 body length. Pleopod I (Fig. 12A) as long as pleopod II; protopod subrectangular, proximal margin rounded, length 1.6 width, inner margin with 3 retinacula, distal segment subrectangular, outer margin concave, length 2.6 times width, margins with 10 simple setae. Pleopod II (Fig. 13A–F), protopod subrectangular, distal edge with cuticular scales; exopod base triangular with distal spines; exopod oval, with small cuticular scales, distal margin with 20–25 long plumose setae; slender endopod, as length 4.6 width, 1.1 exopod length 0.8 times protopod length, mesial surface curved, with irregular reticulations, internal and external process prominent; endopod apex with 3 processes: cannula subcylindrical, apex truncated with transverse striations on mesial surface, caudal process present; mesial process subtriangular, striated surface; caudal process robust, subconical, rounded apex, armed with 2–6 cuticular scales directed proximally. Pleopod III (Fig. 12B), exopod oval with distal margin setose, length 1.4 endopod length, width 1.6 endopod width, transverse suture in proximal half, 20 plumose setae on distal margin, external margin with 40 simple setae; endopod short oval, 0.7 exopod length. Pleopod IV (Fig. 12C), exopod length 1.6 width, external margin with 10 proximal setae; endopod length 0.9 exopod length. Pleopod V (Fig. 12D), exopod oval, length 1.9 width, transverse suture not evident; endopod length 0.9, width 0.9 exopod length. Pleotelson (Fig. 12E), as wide as long, lateral margins parallel, rounded with several simple setae, caudomedial lobe produced subacute. Uropods (Fig. 12E), subsquare, length 0.9 pleotelson width, armed with robust setae; endopod irregular, lanceolate, length 1.1 pleotelson length, exopod as long as protopod. Habitat. The specimens of Caecidotea chicoensis sp. nov. were located in a small spring, approximately 1 meter in diameter, located behind the visitor center of Mineral del Chico National Park. The water that emerges from the spring runs through a small channel approximately 50 cm wide; algae growths and anuran larvae were also found. Distribution. Only known from the type locality. Etymology. This species is named after the Mineral del Chico National Park. Remarks. Caecidotea chicoensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Mexican species of Caecidotea by the presence of elongated striations on the medial surface of pleopod II endopod., Published as part of García-Vázquez, Leonardo, Pedraza-Lara, Carlos & Rodríguez-Almaraz, Gabino, 2021, Six new epigean species of Caecidotea (Isopoda: Asellidae) distributed along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in Central Mexico, pp. 45-77 in Zootaxa 4965 (1) on pages 56-61, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4965.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/4723078

Caecidotea mintzita sp. nov. (Figs 14–17) Material examined: Holotype, male (CNCR 35510), length 7.6 mm, Channel that flows next to the Mintzita spring, 19°38’53.74”N, 101°16’15.53”W, elev. 1892 m, Municipality La Mintzita, Michoacan, Mexico, 20 March 2018, coll. L. García-Vázquez and C. Pedraza-Lara. Paratypes, male (CNCR 35511), length 7.0 mm; same data of collection and collectors as holotype; dissected parts pereiopod I, pereiopod IV, pleopod II; dissected structures for right pleopod drawings I, III, IV and V in the specimen tube. Females present in the same container. Diagnosis. Male body length 3.7 times width; postmandibular lobes not produced; antennula flagellum exceeds last antennal segment, with pectinate setae in each article; antenna flagellum reaches anterior edge pereionite 6; antenna flagellum with 73 articles. Uropods 1.2 times pleotelson length. Description. Male (CNCR 35511) 7.6 mm (Fig. 14A); head width 1.6 length, anterior margin concave. Eyes present, oval, dark pigmented, length 0.5 times longer than wide. Postmandibular lobes not produced. Subrectangular pereionites ornamented with lateral setae. Pereionite 1 length 1.0 pereionite 2 length; pereionite 1 1.1 pereionite 3 length; pereionites 6–7 with subrectangular margins, widening posterior. Antennula flagellum with 11 articles, reaching distal edge antenna podomere; last four segments with aestetascs in formula 1–1–1–1. Antenna flagellum with 73 articles with pectinate setae in each article; proximal article longer than wide; last 15 elongated. Pereiopod I (Figs 14B, 15A–B) dactylus as long as palm, with simple setae; inner and outer palmar margin with row simple setae; proximal process with 3 robust setae; mesial process acute exceeding dactylus, distal process subacute; 0.5 mesial process length. Pereiopods II–III (Fig. 14C–D) similar length. Pereiopod IV (Figs 14E, 15C) propodus with spine in dactylus, robust 0.6 times dactylus width, dactylus length 0.6 propodus length, dactylus with row 3 strong spines. Pereiopod V (Fig. 14F) basis length 1.2 propodus length. Pereiopod VI (Fig. 14G) similar length to pereiopod VII, basis length 1.2 propodus length. Pereiopod VII (Fig. 14H) 0.6 body length. Pleopod I (Fig. 16A) length 1.1 pleopod II length; protopod subrectangular, proximal margin rounded, length 1.5 width, inner margin with 4 retinacula, subrectangular distal segment, outer margin curved, length 2.0 width, margins with 21 simple setae. Pleopod II (Fig. 17A–F), protopod subrectangular, proximal edge rounded, distal border with cuticular scales; exopod base with 2 spines in right upper corner; exopod oval with cuticular scales, distal margin with 20–22 plumose setae; slender endopod, mesial curved, length 3.9 width, exopod length 0.7 protopod length, internal and external process prominent, endopod apex with 3 processes: cannula conical, similar to a rolled blade; mesial process evident; caudal process robust, subconical, with rounded apex, armed on subapical dorsal surface with 4–18 cuticular scales. Pleopod III (Fig. 16B), exopod oval with distal margin setose, length 1.1 endopod length, width 1.6 endopod width, transverse suture in proximal half, distal margin with 12 plumose setae, external margin with 34 simple setae; endopod short oval, 0.8 exopod length. Pleopod IV (Fig. 16C), length 1.6 width, outer margin exopod with 6 proximal setae, endopod length 0.9 exopod length. Pleopod V (Fig. 17D), exopod oval, as long as 1.9 width; transverse suture not evident; outer margin with 5 proximal setae, endopod as long 0.9 as wide exopod. Pleotelson (Fig. 17E), subsquare, width1.0 length, lateral margins curved, with several simple setae, caudomedial lobe subacute produced. Uropods (Fig. 17E), 1.2 pleotelson length, armed with robust marginal setae; endopod length 1.3 exopod length; exopod as long as protopod. Habitat. The specimens of Caecidotea mintzita sp. nov. were collected in a channel that flows next to La Mintzita spring, 60 cm wide and 40 cm deep, just below of submerged rocks and at the roots of the riparian vegetation. Distribution. Only known from the type locality. Etymology. This species is named after the Mintzita spring. Remarks. Caecidotea mintzita sp. nov. is similar morphologically to the species C. xochimilca Rocha-Ramírez & Peñaloza-Daniel, 2011. The former species can be differentiated by the endopod apex cuticular scales conformation, which is 4–18 while in C. xochimilca 3–10 cuticular scales. The endopod length is 1.1 protopod length in C. xochimilca while in Caecidotea mintzita sp. nov. the endopod length 1.3 exopod length., Published as part of García-Vázquez, Leonardo, Pedraza-Lara, Carlos & Rodríguez-Almaraz, Gabino, 2021, Six new epigean species of Caecidotea (Isopoda: Asellidae) distributed along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in Central Mexico, pp. 45-77 in Zootaxa 4965 (1) on pages 61-64, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4965.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/4723078

Caecidotea alvarezi sp. nov. (Figs 2–5) Material examined: Holotype, male (CNCR 35519), length 5.0 mm, shore of the Chapala Lagoon, Jamay, 20°17’07.00”N, 102°42’36.97”W, elev. 1524 m, Municipality of Jamay, Jalisco, Mexico, 19 March 2018, coll. L. García-Vázquez and C. Pedraza-Lara. Paratypes, male (CNCR 35520), length 4.7 mm; same data of collection and collectors as holotype; dissected parts pereiopod I, pereiopod IV, pleopod II; dissected structures for right pleopod drawings I, III, IV and V in the specimen tube. Females present in the same container. Diagnosis. Male body 2.8 times longer than wide. Head trapezoidal, width 0.6 length, anterior margin straight; eyes 3 times longer than wide, postmandibular lobes not produced. Pleotelson lateral margins parallel, caudomedial lobe produced, broad, rounded. Pleopod II exopod with cuticular scales directed distally, as long as those in medial margin cannula; endopod with flagella, mesial process almost high as cannula. Uropods long as pleotelson length. Description. Male (CNCR 35519) 5.0 mm (Fig. 2); head width 2.8 length, anterior margin straight. Eyes present, oval, dark pigmented, length 0.6 width. Postmandibular lobes not produced. Subrectangular pereionites lateral margins ornamented with setae, pereionites 1–2 rounded, pereionites 3–5 straight, pereonites 6–7 rounded, posterior angle produced. Pereionite 1 length 1.1 pereionite 2 length; pereonite 1 0.9 pereionite 3 length; pereionites 6–7 wider, widening in posterior angle. Antennula flagellum with 10 articles, longer than distal antenna podomere middle; last four segments with aestethascs in formula 1–1–1–0. Antenna flagellum with 50 articles; proximal article wider than long; following articles decreasing in length. Pereiopod I (Figs 2B, 3A–B) propodus slender, dactylus longer than palm with five simple setae on outer surface, irregular inner edge; palmar margin with row simple setae; proximal process with robust spine length 0.3 mesial process length; mesial process acute, exceeding dactylus width. Pereiopods II–III (Fig. 2C–D) similar length. Pereiopod IV (Figs 2E, 3C–D), propodus with spine in dactylus; dactylus length 0.5 propodus length with 3 spines on lower margin. Pereiopod V (Fig. 2F) basis 1.3 propodus length. Pereiopod VI (Fig. 2G) similar length to pereiopod VII length, basis length 1.4 propodus length. Pereiopod VII (Fig. 2H) 0.5 body length. Pleopod I (Fig. 4A) length 1.1 pleopod II length; protopod trapezoidal, proximal margin straight, length 1.5 width, inner margin with 5 retinacula, distal segment subrectangular, outer margin concave, length 2.3 width, margins with 20 simple setae. Pleopod II (Fig. 5A–F), protopod subrectangular, proximal edge rounded; exopod oval, in dorsal view with two vertical rows cuticular scales adjacent to inner margin, distal margin with 20 short plumose setae; slender endopod, as long as 3.8 width, similar to exopod 0.7 protopod length, curved mesial surface with flagella, internal and external process prominent, with suture close to base; endopod apex with 3 processes: cannula short, shaped as ribbed blade, not closed, tip truncated rounded, almost reaching apex caudal process, ventral groove present, extending proximally from base to cannula more than 3.0 its length; mesial process evident, with transverse grooves on surface; caudal process robust, conical, rounded apex, armed on subapical dorsal surface with 7–17 cuticular scales directed proximally. Pleopod III (Fig. 4B), exopod oval with distal margin setose, length 1.1 endopod length, width 1.6 endopod width, transverse suture in proximal half, 15 plumose setae on distal margin, external margin with 6 simple setae; endopod short oval, 0.9 exopod length. Pleopod IV (Fig. 4C), exopod as long as 1.7 width, with pronounced notch, on outer margin, close to pleopod joint; endopod 0.9 exopod length. Pleopod V (Fig. 4D), exopod oval, as long as 1.8 width; transverse suture not obvious; endopod length 0.9 exopod length, width 0.7 exopod width. Pleotelson (Fig. 4E), subsquare, width 1.1 length, lateral margins parallel, with simple setae, caudomedial lobe broad rounded. Uropods (Fig. 4F), length equal to pleotelson length, armed with robust setae; length 0.5 endopod length; endopod linear, length 0.8 protopod length, exopod length 1.1 protopod length. Habitat. This species was collected on the shoreline of the Chapala lagoon within the roots of the water lily Eichornia crassipes, along with other crustaceans (e.g., crayfish of the genus Cambarellus and amphipods of the genus Hyalella). Distribution. Only known from the type locality. Etymology. This species is named in honor to Dr. Fernando Alvarez, curator of the National Crustacean Collection, in recognition to his career in the study of Mexican crustaceans. Remarks. C. alvarezi sp. nov. is similar to the species C. williamsi Escobar-Briones & Alcocer, 2002 from Laguna de Alchichica, Puebla. The two species, however, can be distinguished by the number of retinacula in pleopod I (3 in C. williamsi and 5 in C. alvarezi sp. nov.) and the shape of pereiopod I. C. williamsi has only mesial process, while C. alvarezi sp. nov. has both mesial and proximal processes., Published as part of García-Vázquez, Leonardo, Pedraza-Lara, Carlos & Rodríguez-Almaraz, Gabino, 2021, Six new epigean species of Caecidotea (Isopoda: Asellidae) distributed along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in Central Mexico, pp. 45-77 in Zootaxa 4965 (1) on pages 48-50, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4965.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/4723078

Caecidotea zacapuensis sp. nov. (Figs 22–25) Material examined: Holotype, male (CNCR 35522), length 7.5 mm, Laguna de Zacapu, 19°49’37.00”N, 101°47’23.00”W, elev. 1993 m, Municipality Zacapu, Michoacan, Mexico, 20 March 2018, coll. L. García-Vázquez and C. Pedraza-Lara. Paratypes, male (CNCR 35523), length 7.6 mm; same data of collection and collectors as holotype; dissected parts left pereiopod I, left pereiopod IV, pleopod II; dissected structures for right pleopod drawings I, III, IV and V in the specimen tube. 20 Males and 15 females (CNCR 35524). Diagnosis. Male body length 3.4 width. Head trapezoidal, width 2.4 length, anterior margin concave; eyes length 3.8 width. Pleopod III with 36 plumose marginal setae. Exopod pleopod IV with proximal incomplete transverse suture. Uropods length 0.7 pleotelson length. Description. Male (CNCR 35522) 7.5 mm (Fig. 22A); head trapezoidal, width 2.4 length, anterior margin concave; eyes present, oval, dark pigmented, length 3.8 width. Postmandibular lobes not produced. Subrectangular pereionites lateral margins with simple setae, pereionites 1–5 straight, pereionites 6–7 rounded. Pereionite 1 length 1.2 pereionite 2 length; pereionite 1 1.1 pereionite 3 length; pereionites 6–7 with lateral margins rounded, widening posterior. Antennula flagellum with 10 articles, longer than distal antenna podomere middle; last four segments with aestetascs in formula 1–0–1–1. Antenna flagellum with 65 articles; proximal article width 1.2 length; following articles decreasing in length. Pereiopod I (Figs 22B, 23A – B) dactylus outer edge with 10 simple setae; dactylus longer than palm; palmar margin with row simple setae; proximal process with 3 robust spines; mesial process acute, as wide as dactylus; distal process small acute triangular. Pereiopods II–III (Fig. 22C–D) similar length. Pereiopod IV (Figs 22E, 23C) propodus with spine in dactylus, dactylus length 0.6 propodus length, dactylus with 4 slender spines on lower margin. Pereiopod V (Fig. 22F) basis length 1.2 propodus length. Pereiopod VI (Fig. 22G) similar length to pereiopod VII, basis length 1.3 propodus length. Pereiopod VII (Fig. 22H) length 0.6 body length. Pleopod I (Fig. 24A) length 2.2 pleopod III length; basal segment oval, proximal margin straight, length 1.4 width, inner margin with 6 retinacula, distal segment oval, external margin medially straight, length 1.9 width, margins with 20 simple setae. Pleopod II (Fig. 25A–F), protopod subrectangular, proximal edge rounded, internal margin with 2 simple spines; exopod oval with small cuticular scales on inner and outer margin, exopod margin with 22 plumose setae; endopod slender, curved mesial surface, length 3.2 width, length 0.9 exopod length, length 0.7 protopod length, internal and external processes prominent; endopod apex with 3 processes: cannula short subcylindrical surpassing caudal process, like a semi-rolled sheet; mesial process evident; caudal process robust, subconical, with rounded apex, armed on subapical dorsal surface with 2–17 cuticular scales. Pleopod III (Fig. 24B), exopod oval, length 1.5 width, width 1.6 endopod length, transverse suture in proximal half, 36 plumose setae in distal and proximal margins; endopod subrectangular, length 0.9 exopod length. Pleopod IV (Fig. 24C), exopod length 1.6 width, external proximal margin with incomplete transverse suture, close to pleopod joint; endopod length 0.8 exopod length. Pleopod V (Fig. 24D), exopod oval, length 1.8 width, transverse suture not evident; endopod length 0.9 exopod length, width 0.8 exopod width. Pleotelson (Fig. 24E), subsquare, length 1.0 width, lateral margins parallel, with simple marginal setae, caudomedial lobe produced subacute. Uropods (Fig. 24E), length 0.7 pleotelson length, armed with robust marginal setae, apical endopod setae, exopod length 1.2 endopod length; protopod length 1.1 exopod length. Habitat. This species was located on the shore of the Zacapu lake, between the roots of the aquatic vegetation, in the water lily Eichornia crassipes. Distribution. Known only from the type locality. Etymology. This species is named after the municipality Zacapu, where it inhabits. Remarks. The pleopod IV of Caecidotea zacapuensis sp. nov. is similar to the one of Caecidotea buzwilsoni sp. nov. from Yuriria Lagoon. Both can be differentiated using the transverse suture in pleopod IV: incomplete in Caecidotea zacapuensis sp. nov., and complete in Caecidotea buzwilsoni sp. nov., Published as part of García-Vázquez, Leonardo, Pedraza-Lara, Carlos & Rodríguez-Almaraz, Gabino, 2021, Six new epigean species of Caecidotea (Isopoda: Asellidae) distributed along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in Central Mexico, pp. 45-77 in Zootaxa 4965 (1) on pages 70-75, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4965.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/4723078

Six new epigean freshwater species of the genus Caecidotea in Mexico are described. These species were collected in waterbodies located along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) and the eastern slope of the country: Caecidotea buzwilsoni sp. nov., Caecidotea chicoensis sp. nov., Caecidotea alvarezi sp. nov., Caecidotea mintzita sp. nov., Caecidotea zacapuensis sp. nov., and one additional species Caecidotea villalobosi sp. nov. is described from the Papaloapan basin at the Atlantic Slope of Mexico. The taxonomic treatment for each species includes a detailed description, figures of characters of diagnostic importance and comments. We also provide an updated map of Caecidotea records in Mexico. This work substantially increases the number of epigean Caecidotea known to occur in Mexico to 11 species, a new total of 99 species described to North America.

Caecidotea villalobosi sp. nov. (Figs 18–21) Material examined: Holotype, male (CNCR 35506), length 11 mm; Lago de Catemaco, Coyame, 18°26’12”N, 95°01’27”W, elev. 359 m, Municipality Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico, 2 November 2017, coll. L. García-Vázquez and C. Pedraza-Lara. Paratypes, male (CNCR 35507), length 10.0 mm; same data of collection and collectors as holotype; dissected parts pereiopod I, pereiopod IV, pleopod II; dissected structures for right pleopod drawings I, III, IV and V in the specimen tube. 2 males and 3 females (CNCR 35508, CNCR 35509), Laguna Mahahual, 18°39’36”N, 95°18’30W, Municipality San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz, Mexico, coll. J. L. Villalobos, E. Moreno and I. Toledano. Diagnosis. Male body 3.2 times longer than wide. Head width 1.4 length, anterior margin concave, lateral margins straight; eyes width 2.1 length, postmandibular lobes not produced; Pereiopod I with dactylus inner edge serrated; dactylus pereiopod IV serrated. Description. Male (CNCR 35506) 11 mm (Fig. 18A); head trapezoidal, head width 1.4 length, anterior margin concave. Eyes present, oval, dark pigmented, width 2.1 length. Postmandibular lobes not produced. Subrectangular pereionites, lateral margins with setae. Pereionite 1 length 0.9 pereionite 2 length; pereionite 1 1.1 pereionite 3 length; pereionites 6–7 with oval margins; posterior widening. Antennula flagellum with 9 articles, longer than distal antenna podomere middle; last four segments with aestetascs with formula 1–0–1–0. Antenna flagellum with 57 articles with pectinate setae; proximal article longer than wide; following articles decreasing in length. Pereiopod I (Figs 18B, 19A–B) dactylus with robust seta on dactylus, inner edge serrated; proximal process with 3 robust setae; acute mesial process not exceeding dactylus width, bicuspid distal process. Pereiopods II– III (Figs 18C–D) similar length. Pereiopod IV (Figs 18E, 19C–D), propodus with robust finger-like projection in dactylus, dactylus length 0.9 propodus length, dactylus serrated. Pereiopod V (Fig. 18F) length basis 1.4 propodus length, dactylus curved hooked. Pereiopod VI (Fig. 18G) smaller than pereiopod VII, basis length 1.3 propodus length, dactylus with spine on lower margin. Pereiopod VII (Fig. 18H) length 0.4 body length. Pleopod I (Fig. 20A) length 1.1 pleopod II length; basal segment oval, proximal margin straight, length 1.3 width, internal margin with 3 retinacula, distal segment oval, outer margin curved in apical portion, length 1.8 width, margins with 12 simple setae. Pleopod II (Fig. 21A–F), protopod subsquare, inner proximal edge straight, with simple short distal seta, dorsal distal edge with cuticular scales; exopod base with spine on right distal border, exopod oval, with rows cuticular scales, distal margin with 15–19 long plumose setae; slender endopod, as long as 3.5 width, exopod length 0.7 protopod length; inner surface curved; internal and external processes prominent, apex with 3 terminal processes: caudal process rounded, cannula short subcylindrical, with a circular apex; mesial process present; endopod subapical portion armed with 14–16 cuticular scales. Pleopod III (Fig. 20B), exopod oval with distal margin setose, length 1.2 endopod length, width 1.9 endopod width, transverse suture in proximal half, 21 marginal plumose setae, external margin with 8 simple setae; endopod oval, 1.2 exopod length. Pleopod IV (Fig. 20C), exopod length 1.5 width, external margin with 4 proximal setae, endopod length 1.1 exopod length. Pleopod V (Fig. 20D), exopod oval, exopod length 1.9 width; external margin with 4 simple setae; transverse suture not evident; endopod notched on outer proximal edge, endopod width 1.2 exopod width. Pleotelson (Fig. 20E), subsquare, width 1.1 length, lateral margins parallel, with simple setae, caudomedial lobe produced subacute. Uropods (Fig. 20F), length 0.7 pleotelson length, armed with robust setae; endopod and exopod lanceolate, endopod length 1.0 exopod length, exopod length 1.1 protopod length. Habitat. The Caecidotea villalobosi sp. nov. specimens were collected on the shore of Catemaco Lake, below rocks submerged in water, as well as on the roots of the water lily Eichornia crassipes. It is important to mention that this species is not abundant in the region. Distribution. Known from the type locality and Laguna Mahahual, San Andrés Tuxtla, Veracruz. Etymology. This species is named after Dr. José Luis Villalobos Hiriart for being an exemplary mentor for the first author and for being an exceptional carcinologist, as well as his contributions to the knowledge of Mexican crustaceans. Remarks. Argano (1977) reported C. communis (Say, 1818) in the Catemaco lake in similar conditions where we collected Caecidotea villalobosi sp. nov., between the roots of a water lily and under submerged rocks on the shore of the lake. Argano mentioned that C. communis has a wide distribution in Mexico and also takes up Bowman’s (1975) hypothesis about an artificial introduction to Mexico due to human action. However, morphological comparisons with the species C. communis sensu Williams (1970), allow it to be clearly distinguished by the following characters: rounded head, anterior margin concave; pleotelson in C. communis is subcircular, as long as wide; caudomedial lobe obtuse produced; pleopod I wider and subrectangular, with 24 simple setae in distal margin, while Caecidotea villalobosi sp. nov. has 12 simple setae. The number of retinacula is 5 in C. communis while Caecidotea villalobosi sp. nov. has 3 retinacula; Regarding the apical elements of the pleopod II endopod, the cannula of C. communis is thin, simple, and elongated, surpassing the distal edge of the caudal process, which lacks cuticular scales. The cannula of Caecidotea villalobosi sp. nov. is short, subcylindrical, does not reach the distal edge of the caudal process and has cuticular scales., Published as part of García-Vázquez, Leonardo, Pedraza-Lara, Carlos & Rodríguez-Almaraz, Gabino, 2021, Six new epigean species of Caecidotea (Isopoda: Asellidae) distributed along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in Central Mexico, pp. 45-77 in Zootaxa 4965 (1) on pages 67-70, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4965.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/4723078, {"references":["Argano, R. (1977) Asellota del Messico meridionale e Guatemala (Crustacea, Isopoda). Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, 171, 101 - 124.","Say, T. (1818) An account of the Crustacea of the United States, part 7. Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1, 374 - 401.","Bowman, T. E. (1975) Three new troglobitic asellids from Western North America (Crustacea: Isopoda: Asellidae). International Journal of Speleology, 7, 339 - 356. https: // doi. org / 10.5038 / 1827 - 806 X. 7.4. 3","Williams, W. D. (1970) A revision of North American epigean species of Asellus (Crustacea: Isopoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 49, 1 - 79. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00810282.49"]}

Caecidotea buzwilsoni sp. nov. (Figs 6–9) Material examined: Holotype male (CNCR 35528), length 8.0 mm, Laguna de Yuriria, 20°13’11”N, 101°11’05”W, elev. 2275 m, Municipality Yuriria, Guanajuato, Mexico, 22 October 2019, coll. L. García-Vázquez and C. Pedraza-Lara. Paratypes, male (CNCR 35529), length 7.6 mm, same data of collection and collectors, as holotype; dissected parts pereiopod I, pereiopod IV, pleopod II; dissected structures for right pleopod drawings I, III, IV and V in the specimen tube. 15 Males and 10 females (CNCR 35530). Diagnosis. Male body length 3.2 width. Head trapezoidal, width 1.9 length, anterior margin straight; eyes large oval, length 2.0 width. Pleopod IV exopod suture transverse complete. Uropod endopod elongated, oval, length 2.2 width; exopod lanceolate, slender, length 2.7 width. Description. Male (CNCR 35528) 8.0 mm (Fig. 6A); head width 1.9 length, anterior margin concave. Eyes present, oval, dark pigmented, length 2.0 width. Postmandibular lobes not produced. Subrectangular pereionites, ornamented with marginal setae. Pereionite 1 length 1.2 pereionite 2 length; pereionites 6–7 wider, with diagonal margins, widening in posterior angle. Antennula flagellum with 11 articles, longer than distal antenna podomere middle; last four segments with aestetascs in formula 1–1–1–1. Antenna flagellum with 67 articles; proximal article wider than long; following articles increasing in length. Pereiopod I (Figs 6B, 7A), triangular propodus, dactylus curved, propodus palm longer than dactylus; palm with inner and outer edges, ornamented with simple setae; proximal process with 3 robust setae; mesial process acute, not exceeding dactylus width; distal process Subacute length 0.3 mesial process length. Pereiopods II–III (Figs 6C–D), with similar length. Pereiopod IV (Figs 6E, 7B–C), propodus with spine in dactylus; dactylus length 0.6 propodus length, with four spines on lower margin. Pereiopod V (Fig. 6F), basis length 1.3 propodus length. Pereiopod VI (Fig. 6G), similar length to pereiopod VII, basis length 1.2 propodus length. Pereiopod VII (Fig. 6H), length 0.7 body length. Pleopod I (Fig. 8A) length 2.3 pleopod III length; protopod oval, proximal margin straight; protopod 1.7 width, inner margin with 5 retinacula, distal segment subrectangular, outer margin medially straight, length 2.0 width, margins with 23 simple setae. Pleopod II (Fig. 9A–F), protopod subsquare, proximal edge rounded; in dorsal view, exopod base with one distal spine on inner edge, exopod oval with small cuticular scales directed distally on inner dorsal margin, exopod distal margin with 21 plumose setae; slender endopod, with pubescent surface, mesial portion curved, length 3.5 width, similar length to exopod 0.6 protopod length, internal and external process prominent, external with suture close to base, endopod apex with 3 processes: cannula conical, short, with truncated apex lower than caudal process, extending proximally from cannula more than 3.0 its length; mesial process evident; caudal process robust, conical, rounded apex, armed on subapical dorsal surface with 1–17 cuticular scales directed proximally; cuticular scales with pubescence, similar to short villi. Pleopod III (Fig. 8B), exopod oval with distal margin setose, length 1.2 endopod length, width 1.8 endopod width, transverse suture in proximal half, 18 distal plumose setae, external margin 13 simple setae; endopod short oval, length 0.8 exopod length. Pleopod IV (Fig. 8C), exopod oval, as long as 1.9 width, external proximal margin with transverse suture, close to pleopod joint; endopod 0.9 exopod length. Pleopod V (Fig. 8D), exopod oval, length 1.8 width, transverse suture not evident; endopod length 0.9 length, width 0.9 exopod width. Pleotelson (Fig. 8E), subsquare, width 1.2 length, lateral margins parallel, with simple setae, caudomedial lobe broad rounded. Uropods (Fig. 8E), length 0.8 pleotelson length, armed with robust setae; endopod oval, as long as protopod; exopod length 0.9 protopod length. Habitat. This species was collected between roots of the water lily Eichornia crassipes, which floated in a channel of approximately 2 meters wide by one meter deep. Distribution. Known only from the type locality. Etymology. This species is named in honor to Dr. George D. F. Wilson (Buz), Saugatuck Natural History Laboratory, in recognition to his career with the isopods and for being a mentor and for his friendship with the first author. Remarks. Caecidotea buzwilsoni sp. nov. represents the first record of Caecidotea for the Mexican state of Guanajuato. Its morphology is similar to Caecidotea zacapuensis sp. nov. both species can be differentiated by the transverse suture of pleopod IV, which in Caecidotea zacapuensis sp. nov. is incomplete while in Caecidotea buzwilsoni sp. nov. is complete., Published as part of García-Vázquez, Leonardo, Pedraza-Lara, Carlos & Rodríguez-Almaraz, Gabino, 2021, Six new epigean species of Caecidotea (Isopoda: Asellidae) distributed along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in Central Mexico, pp. 45-77 in Zootaxa 4965 (1) on pages 53-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4965.1.2, http://zenodo.org/record/4723078

Key to the species of Bragasellus Henry & Magniez, 1968 1. Appendix masculina (male pleopod II endopod) without developed cannula, genital duct formed by the apex of appendix masculina ���........................................................................................... 2 - Cannula well developed and distinct from the apex of appendix masculina, emerging from a subdistal or central position... 5 2. Apex of appendix masculina forming a short and wide, cup-shaped duct......................................... 3 - Apex of appendix masculina cylindrical, more or less elongated................................................ 4 3. Body dark pigmented; appendix masculina bearing a basal process and shorter than corresponding exopod.............................................................................................. B. peltatus (Braga, 1944). - Body unpigmented; appendix masculina bearing two basal processes.................. B. conimbricensis (Braga, 1946) 4. Appendix masculina bearing two short basal processes and an elongated duct (half as long as the rest of the article); anterior margin of head convex............................................................ B. pauloae (Braga, 1958) - Appendix masculina bearing a single large basal process and a short duct; anterior margin of head distinctly concave.................................................................................... B. frontellum (Braga, 1964) 5. Cannula directed oblique or perpendicularly to the main axis of the appendix masculina............................. 6 - Cannula straight and parallel to the main axis of the appendix masculina........................................ 14 6. Cannula short and bent in approximately square angle to the main axis of the appendix masculina..................... 7 - Cannula long and coiled.............................................................................. 10 7. Cannula directed internally......................................................... B. incurvatus Afonso, 1984 - Cannula directed externally, pointing to corresponding exopod................................................. 8 8. Cannula originating subdistally from appendix masculina........................ B. meijersae Henry & Magniez, 1988 - Cannula originating from middle region of appendix masculina................................................ 9 9. Male pleopod II exopod bearing smooth distal setae, protopod without setae........... B. bragai Henry & Magniez, 1988 - Male pleopod II exopod bearing plumose distal setae, protopod with two setae on internal margin.............................................................................................. B. escolai Henry & Magniez, 1978 10. Proximal part of coiled cannula inflated to make a spermatic vesicle................. B. rouchi Henry & Magniez, 1988 - Cannula without such inflated region..................................................................... 11 11. Two basal processes in appendix masculina................................................................ 12 - A single basal process in appendix masculina.............................................................. 13 12. Cannula clearly shorter than appendix masculina, male pleopod II exopod and appendix masculina similar in size.................................................................................. B. aireyi Henry & Magniez, 1980 - Cannula similar in length to appendix masculina, male pleopod II exopod much shorter..................................................................................................... B. afonsae Henry & Magniez, 1988 13. Male pleopod II protopod bearing a conspicuous knob in the middle of its external margin, exopod with at least six apical setae................................................................ B. comasioides Magniez & Br��hier, 2004 - Male pleopod II protopod without such knob, exopod with a couple of apical setae..... B. comasi Henry & Magniez, 1976 14. Body unpigmented; appendix masculina with one or two basal processes........................................ 15 - Body dark pigmented; appendix masculina without basal process.............................................. 20 15. A single basal process in appendix masculina.............................................................. 16 - Two basal processes in appendix masculina............................................................... 17 16. Cannula short and cylindrical........................................... B. notenboomi Henry & Magniez, 1988 - Cannula long and tapering........................................................... B. seabrai (Braga, 1943) 17. Cannula short and barely projecting beyond distal margin of appendix masculina................................. 18 - Cannula long or mid-sized but clearly projecting beyond distal margin of appendix masculina....................... 19 18. Cannula inserted subdistally in the midline of appendix masculina, corresponding exopod with a single seta on external margin.............................................................. Bragasellus lagari Henry & Magniez, 1973 - Cannula inserted subdistally in the inner margin of appendix masculina, corresponding exopod with several setae on external margin ���........................................ Bragasellus lagarioides Henry & Magniez in Afonso et al. 1996 19. Cannula long; male pleopod II protopod bearing two spines on inner margin, exopod with three setae on outer margin of basal article and two plumose setae on apex of distal article.................... Bragasellus molinai Henry & Magniez, 1988 - Cannula mid-sized; male pleopod II protopod without setae on inner margin, exopod with a single seta on outer margin of basal article and 4���5 plumose setae on apex of distal article...................... Bragasellus stocki Henry & Magniez, 1988 20. Pereopod I dactylus shorter than the palm of propodus; pleopod I exopod with smooth marginal setae; male pleopod II exopod with a clear gap between marginal and distal setae............................................. B. oscari sp. nov. - Pereopod I dactylus longer than the palm of propodus; pleopod I exopod with plumose marginal setae; male pleopod II exopod marginal and distal setae arranged without gap............................................ B. cortesi Afonso, 1989, Published as part of L��pez, Eduardo, 2020, A new species of Bragasellus (Isopoda, Asellidae) from NW Spain, with a key to the known species of the genus, pp. 257-269 in Zootaxa 4861 (2) on pages 266-267, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4861.2.6, http://zenodo.org/record/4416230, {"references":["Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1968) Sur la systematique et la biogeographie des Asellides. Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences, 267, 87 - 89.","Braga, J. M. (1944) Sur un Asellus nouveau des eaux superficielles du Portugal. Memorias e Estudos do Museu Zoologico da Universidade de Coimbra, 154, 1 - 11.","Braga, J. M. (1946) Quelques Asellides nouveaux du Portugal. Memorias e Estudos do Museu Zoologico da Universidade de Coimbra, 173, 1 - 25.","Braga, J. M. (1958) Un Asellus remarquable des eaux souterraines du Portugal: Asellus pauloae n. sp. Publicacoes do Instituto de Zoologia \" Dr. Augusto Nobre \", 61, 1 - 15.","Braga, J. M. (1964) Contribution a la faune d'asellides du Portugal. Asellus frontelum sp. n. Publicacoes do Instituto de Zoologia \" Dr. Augusto Nobre \", 91, 9 - 18.","Afonso, O. (1984) Bragasellus incurvatus sp. n. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Asellidae) nouvelle espece hypogee du bassin du Douro. Publicacoes do Instituto de Zoologia \" Dr. Augusto Nobre \", 187, 1 - 9.","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1988) Isopodes Aselloides styogobies d'Espagne recoltes par J. Noteboom et I. Meijers II-Le genre Bragasellus et description de sept Nouvelles especes. Stygologia, 4 (4), 332 - 362.","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1978) Bragasellus escolai n. sp., Crustacea Isopoda Asellota cavernicole d'Espagne. International Journal of Speleology, 10, 381 - 386. https: // doi. org / 10.5038 / 1827 - 806 X. 10.3.11","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1980) Bragasellus aireyi n. sp. (Crustacea Isopoda Asellota), nouvel Asellide cavernicole d'Espagne septentrionale. Bulletin Scientifique de Bourgogne, 33, 23 - 28.","Magniez, G. & Brehier, F. (2004) Bragasellus comasioides, sp. nov., crustace isopode, asellote stygobie des Picos de Europa (Espagne). Subterranean Biology, 2, 109 - 112.","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1976) Bragasellus comasi n. sp., Crustacea Isopoda Asellota cavernicole d'Espagne occidentale. International Journal of Speleology, 8 (4), 359 - 364. https: // doi. org / 10.5038 / 1827 - 806 x. 8.4.4","Braga, J. M. (1943) Description de l' Asellus seabrai, isopode aveugle nouveau des eaux souterraines du Portugal. Publicacoes do Instituto de Zoologia \" Dr. Augusto Nobre \", 13, 1 - 17.","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1973) Un nouvel Asellide cavernicole d'Espagne centrale: Bragasellus lagari n. sp. (Crustacea Isopoda Asellota). International Journal of Speleology, 5 (3 / 4), 273 - 282. https: // doi. org / 10.5038 / 1827 - 806 x. 5.3.6","Afonso, O., Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1996) Nouvelles donnees sur le genre Bragasellus (Crustace: Isopoda: Asellidae). Contributions to Zoology, 66 (2), 109 - 118. https: // doi. org / 10.1163 / 26660644 - 06602003","Afonso, O. (1989) Un nouvel asellide epige du nord du Portugal. Bragasellus cortesi sp. n. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Asellidae). Donnees ecologiques et systematiques. Publicacoes do Instituto de Zoologia \" Dr. Augusto Nobre \", 212, 1 - 16."]}

Bragasellus oscari sp. nov. Figs 2–7 Material examined. Holotype: male, 4.7 mm long and 1.5 mm wide at level of pereonite VII, Fonteo, Lugo, Galicia, NW Spain; 43°03´43.63´´N, 7°15´47.11´´W, 640 m. a.s.l., shallow artificial pool in the source of the river, bottom covered of coarse gravel and water mosses, 22 August 2019, fixed in 70% etanol (MNCN 20.04 /12506). Paratypes: Same collection data as for holotype; one male fixed in 70% ethanol and permanent microscope slides with DMHF as mounting medium containing detached appendages (MNCN 20.04 /12507); 11 males fixed in 70% ethanol (MNCN 20.04 /12508-12518); 5 gravid females fixed in 70% ethanol (MNCN 20.04 /12519-12523); 13 non-gravid females fixed in 70% ethanol (MNCN 20.04 /12524-12531); three non-gravid females fixed in absolute ethanol (MNCN 20.04 /12532-12534); 3 males fixed in absolute ethanol (MNCN 20.04 /12535-12537); 15 males, 4 gravid females and 17 non-gravid females (MHNUSC_10115), largest male 5.5 mm long and 2.0 mm wide, largest female, gravid, 4.1 mm long, 1.2 mm wide. Other material. Same collection data as for holotype; fixed in 70% etanol; 43 male and 47 non gravid female specimens. Diagnosis. Pereopod I dactylus shorter than the palm of propodus; male pleopod I exopod marginal setae smooth; male pleopod II endopod lacking basal process and bearing a short but distinct cylindrical cannula; pleopod III exopod with straight internal side. Description. Male. Holotype (Fig. 2A, B), paratype, MNCN 20.04/12508 (Fig. 2C), paratype (Figs 3–7). Body flattened, about 2.5 times as long as wide, width increasing progressively towards posterior end (Fig. 2A, B), uniformly black in live specimens (Fig. 2D), greyish after preservation. Coxae not visible in dorsal view (Fig. 2A, B). Dorsal coarse setae absent; each pereonite with 12–15 lateral coarse setae, irregularly alternating short and long ones. Head trapezoidal (Fig. 2C), about 1.5 as wide as long, rostrum absent, margins convex and fringed with few setae. Pleotelson semioval (Fig. 2C), of similar length and width, slightly longer than preceding pereonite, margin setae similar to those of pereonites; caudomedial lobe blunt, broadly rounded. Antennula flagellum of five articles (Figs 3A, 4A) with aesthetascs on last four (Fig. 4B). Antenna flagellum of about 35 articles, with aesthetascs on last three. Mandibles with robust palps (Figs 3B, 4C), distal article with 14 plumose spines, median article with ten; tetracuspate incisors (Figs 3B, 4C, D); right mandible with 13 plumose spines proximal to lacinia mobilis in right mandible, 12 in left one (Figs 3B, 4D). Maxillula (Figs 3C, 4E) distal lamella with 12 terminal teeth, five distal ones smooth and fang-like, remainder pectinate (Figs 3C, 4F); basal lamella with five thick plumose spines (Figs 3C, 4G). Maxilla (Fig. 4H) with 16 and 22 setae in median and external lobes respectively, short spines pectinate, longer ones smooth; inner lobe with two rows of setae, lower row bearing about 30 smooth and fine setae, upper row with 30–32 plumose and shorter ones. Maxilliped (Figs 3D, 4 I–K) typical of the genus, with six retinacula. Pereopod I (Figs 5A, 7A) with ellipsoid propodus, 1.8 times as long as wide, palmar margin with four coarse conical setae and several thinner marginal ones (Figs 5A, 7B); dactylus curved, 2/3 as long as propodus and shorter than palm of latter, flexor margin bearing six conical coarse seate (Figs 5A, 7B); carpus triangular, similar length and width, with 4–5 coarse setae on sternal margin, without tergal setae; merus triangular, longer than wide, with three coarse tergal setae in distal end and several thinner sternal ones; ischium twice as long as wide, with three coarse tergal setae; basis 2 times longer than wide, bearing a few fine sternal setae (Fig. 5A). Pereopods II–VII with basis 2.5 times longer than wide; ischium 2.3 times longer than wide, ten coarse tergal setae, two small sternal ones on distal end; merus triangular, twice as long as wide, three pairs of sternal setae, one long and three shorter tergal setae in distal end; carpus four times as long as wide, three pairs of coarse sternal setae, three tergal ones in distal end; propodus slightly longer than carpus, six times as long as wide, two pairs of coarse sternal setae and a distal projection; dactylus slightly curved, bearing four setae on flexor margin (Fig. 5D). Pleopod I (Figs 6A, 7E) slightly longer than pleopod II, exopod oval bearing 15–16 long and smooth distolateral setae. Pleopod II protopod quadrangular, slightly longer than wide, bearing a smooth seta on inner margin; exopod proximal article cup-like bearing two setae on external side, distal article semioval and clearly longer, five smooth lateral setae and four plumose ones on distal position (Figs 6B, 7F); endopod (appendix masculina) larger than exopod, subconical, without basal processes, bearing a cylindrical cannula with slightly projecting opening, setation absent (Fig. 6B). Pleopod III exopod (Figs 6D, 7H) with transverse suture, distal area shorter than proximal one, with smooth setae along distal and lateral margins, internal margin distinctly straight and bearing a short triangular basal process (Fig. 7H); endopod reaching transverse suture, distally rounded. Pleopod IV exopod (Fig. 7I) nearly as long as wide, with suture only noticeable on external margin, external margin densely ciliated without setae (Fig. 7J); endopod similar in length to exopod, rounded distally. Uropods three quarter as long as pleotelson (Figs 2C, 5D); rami tubular, endopod slightly shorter than exopod and half as long as protopod; exopod bearing long apical setae. Female. Similar in body shape to male but distinctly smaller. Pereopod I (Figs 5B, 7C) with clearly more gracile propodus than male, 2.8 times as long as wide, palmar margin with three conical coarse setae and several marginal thinner ones (Figs 5B, 7D); dactylus similar to that of male, but bearing four conical coarse setae on flexor margin (Figs 5B, 7D). Pleopod II (Figs 6C, 7G) triangular, about 2.5 as long as wide, with four very short and smooth setae on external margin. Uropod similar to male, but shorter (Fig. 5E). Remarks. The new species is referred to genus Bragasellus Henry & Magniez, 1968 for the shape of the endopod of pleopod 2 in males, in which the distal article lacks any kind of process. The equivalent sexual structure bears an elongated basal process supported by a sclerotized rod in the genus Asellus Geoffroy, 1762, which is absent in the species of Bragasellus; although a number of species in the former genus bear one or two basal processes they are proportionally shorter and are never supported by a rod (Henry & Magniez 1974). The numerous species of Proasellus Dudich, 1925 possess a subapical tergal process in the appendix masculina, a trait totally absent in Bragasellus species (Henry & Magniez 1974), except for B. afonsae Henry & Magniez, 1988. The rest of genera reported from Western Europe encompass only hipogean species thus far. Gallasellus Henry & Magniez, 1977, a monotypic genus from Southern France, and Chthonasellus Argano & Messana, 1991, a genus endemic from central Italy and also monotypic, present a cannula protruding from a terminal depression partially covered by a curved caudal process (Henry & Magniez 1977; Argano & Messana 1991), which is very different to the appendix masculina of the rest of west European genera. Finally, the Iberian endemic genus Synasellus Braga, 1944 is characterized by the lack of mandibular palp, whereas this structure is well developed in all Bragasellus species, and its appendix masculina bears a markedly tapering cannula (Henry & Magniez 1995), very different to that of B. oscari, in which it appears as a cylindrical tube. To date, genus Bragasellus contained 20 valid species, all of them endemic of the Iberian Peninsula (Braga 1943, 1944, 1946, 1958, 1964; Henry & Magniez 1973, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1988; Afonso 1984, 1989; Afonso et al. 1996; Magniez & Bréhier 2004). Most of them are cave-dwelling, unpigmented taxa and only two are epigean and were described as having conspicuous body pigmentation: B. peltatus (Braga, 1944) and B. cortesi Afonso, 1989. The new species is also epigean, but differs from them by the proportionately shorter pereopod I dactylus, which is shorter than the palm of propodus, by the pleopod I exopod marginal setae, which are smooth instead of plumose, and by the shape of the pleopod III exopod, which has a straight internal side instead of more or less rounded one (Braga 1944; Afonso 1989). Bragasellus oscari sp. nov. and B. cortesi have very similar male pleopod II, with exopod shorter than endopod, and with the latter lacking basal process and bearing a developed cannula, contrary to B. peltatus, which posseses a basal process and lacks a cannula in its appendix masculina. However, the male pleopod II of B. oscari sp. nov. and B. cortesi differ in the setal arrangement of the exopod, which shows a clear gap between marginal and distal setae in the former species. Some publications recorded abundant populations of the epigean asellids Proasellus coxalis (Dolfuss, 1982), P. meridianus (Racovitza, 1919) and P. ibericus (Braga, 1946) near the type locality of the new species (González & Cobo 2006; Cobo 2017). Apart of a distinct colour pattern with yellowish speckles over their head and body, these three species possess conspicuous subapical process in their appendix masculina, which are clearly shorter than corresponding exopodites (Braga 1946; Henry & Magniez 1992), so they may be easily separated from B. oscari n. sp. Etymology. The new species is named after Óscar, youngest child of first author.

Bragasellus oscari sp. nov. Figs 2���7 Material examined. Holotype: male, 4.7 mm long and 1.5 mm wide at level of pereonite VII, Fonteo, Lugo, Galicia, NW Spain; 43��03��43.63����N, 7��15��47.11����W, 640 m. a.s.l., shallow artificial pool in the source of the river, bottom covered of coarse gravel and water mosses, 22 August 2019, fixed in 70% etanol (MNCN 20.04 /12506). Paratypes: Same collection data as for holotype; one male fixed in 70% ethanol and permanent microscope slides with DMHF as mounting medium containing detached appendages (MNCN 20.04 /12507); 11 males fixed in 70% ethanol (MNCN 20.04 /12508-12518); 5 gravid females fixed in 70% ethanol (MNCN 20.04 /12519-12523); 13 non-gravid females fixed in 70% ethanol (MNCN 20.04 /12524-12531); three non-gravid females fixed in absolute ethanol (MNCN 20.04 /12532-12534); 3 males fixed in absolute ethanol (MNCN 20.04 /12535-12537); 15 males, 4 gravid females and 17 non-gravid females (MHNUSC_10115), largest male 5.5 mm long and 2.0 mm wide, largest female, gravid, 4.1 mm long, 1.2 mm wide. Other material. Same collection data as for holotype; fixed in 70% etanol; 43 male and 47 non gravid female specimens. Diagnosis. Pereopod I dactylus shorter than the palm of propodus; male pleopod I exopod marginal setae smooth; male pleopod II endopod lacking basal process and bearing a short but distinct cylindrical cannula; pleopod III exopod with straight internal side. Description. Male. Holotype (Fig. 2A, B), paratype, MNCN 20.04/12508 (Fig. 2C), paratype (Figs 3���7). Body flattened, about 2.5 times as long as wide, width increasing progressively towards posterior end (Fig. 2A, B), uniformly black in live specimens (Fig. 2D), greyish after preservation. Coxae not visible in dorsal view (Fig. 2A, B). Dorsal coarse setae absent; each pereonite with 12���15 lateral coarse setae, irregularly alternating short and long ones. Head trapezoidal (Fig. 2C), about 1.5 as wide as long, rostrum absent, margins convex and fringed with few setae. Pleotelson semioval (Fig. 2C), of similar length and width, slightly longer than preceding pereonite, margin setae similar to those of pereonites; caudomedial lobe blunt, broadly rounded. Antennula flagellum of five articles (Figs 3A, 4A) with aesthetascs on last four (Fig. 4B). Antenna flagellum of about 35 articles, with aesthetascs on last three. Mandibles with robust palps (Figs 3B, 4C), distal article with 14 plumose spines, median article with ten; tetracuspate incisors (Figs 3B, 4C, D); right mandible with 13 plumose spines proximal to lacinia mobilis in right mandible, 12 in left one (Figs 3B, 4D). Maxillula (Figs 3C, 4E) distal lamella with 12 terminal teeth, five distal ones smooth and fang-like, remainder pectinate (Figs 3C, 4F); basal lamella with five thick plumose spines (Figs 3C, 4G). Maxilla (Fig. 4H) with 16 and 22 setae in median and external lobes respectively, short spines pectinate, longer ones smooth; inner lobe with two rows of setae, lower row bearing about 30 smooth and fine setae, upper row with 30���32 plumose and shorter ones. Maxilliped (Figs 3D, 4 I���K) typical of the genus, with six retinacula. Pereopod I (Figs 5A, 7A) with ellipsoid propodus, 1.8 times as long as wide, palmar margin with four coarse conical setae and several thinner marginal ones (Figs 5A, 7B); dactylus curved, 2/3 as long as propodus and shorter than palm of latter, flexor margin bearing six conical coarse seate (Figs 5A, 7B); carpus triangular, similar length and width, with 4���5 coarse setae on sternal margin, without tergal setae; merus triangular, longer than wide, with three coarse tergal setae in distal end and several thinner sternal ones; ischium twice as long as wide, with three coarse tergal setae; basis 2 times longer than wide, bearing a few fine sternal setae (Fig. 5A). Pereopods II���VII with basis 2.5 times longer than wide; ischium 2.3 times longer than wide, ten coarse tergal setae, two small sternal ones on distal end; merus triangular, twice as long as wide, three pairs of sternal setae, one long and three shorter tergal setae in distal end; carpus four times as long as wide, three pairs of coarse sternal setae, three tergal ones in distal end; propodus slightly longer than carpus, six times as long as wide, two pairs of coarse sternal setae and a distal projection; dactylus slightly curved, bearing four setae on flexor margin (Fig. 5D). Pleopod I (Figs 6A, 7E) slightly longer than pleopod II, exopod oval bearing 15���16 long and smooth distolateral setae. Pleopod II protopod quadrangular, slightly longer than wide, bearing a smooth seta on inner margin; exopod proximal article cup-like bearing two setae on external side, distal article semioval and clearly longer, five smooth lateral setae and four plumose ones on distal position (Figs 6B, 7F); endopod (appendix masculina) larger than exopod, subconical, without basal processes, bearing a cylindrical cannula with slightly projecting opening, setation absent (Fig. 6B). Pleopod III exopod (Figs 6D, 7H) with transverse suture, distal area shorter than proximal one, with smooth setae along distal and lateral margins, internal margin distinctly straight and bearing a short triangular basal process (Fig. 7H); endopod reaching transverse suture, distally rounded. Pleopod IV exopod (Fig. 7I) nearly as long as wide, with suture only noticeable on external margin, external margin densely ciliated without setae (Fig. 7J); endopod similar in length to exopod, rounded distally. Uropods three quarter as long as pleotelson (Figs 2C, 5D); rami tubular, endopod slightly shorter than exopod and half as long as protopod; exopod bearing long apical setae. Female. Similar in body shape to male but distinctly smaller. Pereopod I (Figs 5B, 7C) with clearly more gracile propodus than male, 2.8 times as long as wide, palmar margin with three conical coarse setae and several marginal thinner ones (Figs 5B, 7D); dactylus similar to that of male, but bearing four conical coarse setae on flexor margin (Figs 5B, 7D). Pleopod II (Figs 6C, 7G) triangular, about 2.5 as long as wide, with four very short and smooth setae on external margin. Uropod similar to male, but shorter (Fig. 5E). Remarks. The new species is referred to genus Bragasellus Henry & Magniez, 1968 for the shape of the endopod of pleopod 2 in males, in which the distal article lacks any kind of process. The equivalent sexual structure bears an elongated basal process supported by a sclerotized rod in the genus Asellus Geoffroy, 1762, which is absent in the species of Bragasellus; although a number of species in the former genus bear one or two basal processes they are proportionally shorter and are never supported by a rod (Henry & Magniez 1974). The numerous species of Proasellus Dudich, 1925 possess a subapical tergal process in the appendix masculina, a trait totally absent in Bragasellus species (Henry & Magniez 1974), except for B. afonsae Henry & Magniez, 1988. The rest of genera reported from Western Europe encompass only hipogean species thus far. Gallasellus Henry & Magniez, 1977, a monotypic genus from Southern France, and Chthonasellus Argano & Messana, 1991, a genus endemic from central Italy and also monotypic, present a cannula protruding from a terminal depression partially covered by a curved caudal process (Henry & Magniez 1977; Argano & Messana 1991), which is very different to the appendix masculina of the rest of west European genera. Finally, the Iberian endemic genus Synasellus Braga, 1944 is characterized by the lack of mandibular palp, whereas this structure is well developed in all Bragasellus species, and its appendix masculina bears a markedly tapering cannula (Henry & Magniez 1995), very different to that of B. oscari, in which it appears as a cylindrical tube. To date, genus Bragasellus contained 20 valid species, all of them endemic of the Iberian Peninsula (Braga 1943, 1944, 1946, 1958, 1964; Henry & Magniez 1973, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1988; Afonso 1984, 1989; Afonso et al. 1996; Magniez & Br��hier 2004). Most of them are cave-dwelling, unpigmented taxa and only two are epigean and were described as having conspicuous body pigmentation: B. peltatus (Braga, 1944) and B. cortesi Afonso, 1989. The new species is also epigean, but differs from them by the proportionately shorter pereopod I dactylus, which is shorter than the palm of propodus, by the pleopod I exopod marginal setae, which are smooth instead of plumose, and by the shape of the pleopod III exopod, which has a straight internal side instead of more or less rounded one (Braga 1944; Afonso 1989). Bragasellus oscari sp. nov. and B. cortesi have very similar male pleopod II, with exopod shorter than endopod, and with the latter lacking basal process and bearing a developed cannula, contrary to B. peltatus, which posseses a basal process and lacks a cannula in its appendix masculina. However, the male pleopod II of B. oscari sp. nov. and B. cortesi differ in the setal arrangement of the exopod, which shows a clear gap between marginal and distal setae in the former species. Some publications recorded abundant populations of the epigean asellids Proasellus coxalis (Dolfuss, 1982), P. meridianus (Racovitza, 1919) and P. ibericus (Braga, 1946) near the type locality of the new species (Gonz��lez & Cobo 2006; Cobo 2017). Apart of a distinct colour pattern with yellowish speckles over their head and body, these three species possess conspicuous subapical process in their appendix masculina, which are clearly shorter than corresponding exopodites (Braga 1946; Henry & Magniez 1992), so they may be easily separated from B. oscari n. sp. Etymology. The new species is named after ��scar, youngest child of first author., Published as part of L��pez, Eduardo, 2020, A new species of Bragasellus (Isopoda, Asellidae) from NW Spain, with a key to the known species of the genus, pp. 257-269 in Zootaxa 4861 (2) on pages 259-266, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4861.2.6, http://zenodo.org/record/4416230, {"references":["Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1968) Sur la systematique et la biogeographie des Asellides. Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences, 267, 87 - 89.","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1974) Un nouvel Asellide interstitiel d'Espagne meridionale Bragasellus boui n. sp. (Crustace Isopoda Asellota) et considerations sur les genres europeens d'Asellides. International Journal of Speleology, 6, 217 - 230. https: // doi. org / 10.5038 / 1827 - 806 X. 6.3.3","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1988) Isopodes Aselloides styogobies d'Espagne recoltes par J. Noteboom et I. Meijers II-Le genre Bragasellus et description de sept Nouvelles especes. Stygologia, 4 (4), 332 - 362.","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1977) Observations sur Gallasellus heilyi Legrand, 1956 representant d'un nouveau genre d'Asellide sout errain de France. Bulletin de la Societe Zoologique de France, 102 (2), 215 - 222.","Argano, R. & Messana, G. (1991) A new stygobiotic Crustacean in the Ligurian Alps (Italy): Chthonasellus bodoni n. gen., n. sp. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Asellota). Stygologia, 6 (4), 209 - 215.","Braga, J. M. (1944) Sur un Asellus nouveau des eaux superficielles du Portugal. Memorias e Estudos do Museu Zoologico da Universidade de Coimbra, 154, 1 - 11.","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1995) Presence de Synasellus (Crustacea, Isopoda, Asellidae, Stygobies) dans la province de Huelva (Espagne). Beaufortia, 45 (4), 51 - 60.","Braga, J. M. (1943) Description de l' Asellus seabrai, isopode aveugle nouveau des eaux souterraines du Portugal. Publicacoes do Instituto de Zoologia \" Dr. Augusto Nobre \", 13, 1 - 17.","Braga, J. M. (1946) Quelques Asellides nouveaux du Portugal. Memorias e Estudos do Museu Zoologico da Universidade de Coimbra, 173, 1 - 25.","Braga, J. M. (1958) Un Asellus remarquable des eaux souterraines du Portugal: Asellus pauloae n. sp. Publicacoes do Instituto de Zoologia \" Dr. Augusto Nobre \", 61, 1 - 15.","Braga, J. M. (1964) Contribution a la faune d'asellides du Portugal. Asellus frontelum sp. n. Publicacoes do Instituto de Zoologia \" Dr. Augusto Nobre \", 91, 9 - 18.","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1973) Un nouvel Asellide cavernicole d'Espagne centrale: Bragasellus lagari n. sp. (Crustacea Isopoda Asellota). International Journal of Speleology, 5 (3 / 4), 273 - 282. https: // doi. org / 10.5038 / 1827 - 806 x. 5.3.6","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1976) Bragasellus comasi n. sp., Crustacea Isopoda Asellota cavernicole d'Espagne occidentale. International Journal of Speleology, 8 (4), 359 - 364. https: // doi. org / 10.5038 / 1827 - 806 x. 8.4.4","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1978) Bragasellus escolai n. sp., Crustacea Isopoda Asellota cavernicole d'Espagne. International Journal of Speleology, 10, 381 - 386. https: // doi. org / 10.5038 / 1827 - 806 X. 10.3.11","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1980) Bragasellus aireyi n. sp. (Crustacea Isopoda Asellota), nouvel Asellide cavernicole d'Espagne septentrionale. Bulletin Scientifique de Bourgogne, 33, 23 - 28.","Afonso, O. (1984) Bragasellus incurvatus sp. n. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Asellidae) nouvelle espece hypogee du bassin du Douro. Publicacoes do Instituto de Zoologia \" Dr. Augusto Nobre \", 187, 1 - 9.","Afonso, O. (1989) Un nouvel asellide epige du nord du Portugal. Bragasellus cortesi sp. n. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Asellidae). Donnees ecologiques et systematiques. Publicacoes do Instituto de Zoologia \" Dr. Augusto Nobre \", 212, 1 - 16.","Afonso, O., Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1996) Nouvelles donnees sur le genre Bragasellus (Crustace: Isopoda: Asellidae). Contributions to Zoology, 66 (2), 109 - 118. https: // doi. org / 10.1163 / 26660644 - 06602003","Magniez, G. & Brehier, F. (2004) Bragasellus comasioides, sp. nov., crustace isopode, asellote stygobie des Picos de Europa (Espagne). Subterranean Biology, 2, 109 - 112.","Gonzalez M. A. & Cobo, F. (2006) Macroinvertebrados de las Aguas Dulces de Galicia. Hercules de Ediciones, La Coruna, 173 pp.","Cobo, F. (2017.) iodiversidad acuatica continental de Galicia (NW Espana). In: Ramil-Rego, P., Gomez-Orellana, L. & Ferreiro da Costa, J. (Eds.), Conservacion e Xestion de Humidais en Galicia. Horreum-Ibader, Lugo, pp. 67 - 77.","Henry, J. P. & Magniez, G. (1992) Isopodes Aselloides styogobies d'Espagne recoltes par J. Noteboom et I. Meijers, III-Le genre Proasellus: A-Especes oculees ou microphthalmes. Bijdragen tot der Dierkunde, 62 (1), 37 - 54."]}

We report new occurrence records for stygobiontic invertebrates from the Edwards and Trinity aquifers in Blanco, Hays, and Travis counties of central Texas, USA. Our collection includes seven species from four families: Caecidoteareddelli (Steeves, 1968), Asellidae; Crangonyxnr.pseudogracilis Bousfield, 1958, Stygobromusbalconis (Hubricht, 1943), Stygobromusbifurcatus (Holsinger, 1967), and Stygobromusrusselli (Holsinger, 1967), Crangonyctidae; Sphalloplanamohri Hyman, 1938, Kenkiidae; and Cirolanides sp., Cirolanidae. Specimens of Caecidoteareddelli and Crangonyxnr.pseudogracilis are new records for Hays County and Travis county, respectively. Specimens of an undescribed species of Cirolanides were collected from a well in Hays County and from two localities in Travis County.

Phreatoasel/us kawamurai (Tattersall) (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Isopoda: Asellidae) was redescribed based on specimens collected from a lava tube called "Yukido," in Shimane Prefecture. As a result of my examination, these specimens generally agreed with the original description, but several differences were found. Key differences included: a concaved posterior margin of pleotelson; a not remarkably short pereopod 4; the number of setae of exopod in relation to pleopod 3; numerous setae on the middle lobe of maxilla; and a not so short exopod in relation to uropod which are considered to be a geographic variation. Collecting new specimens would be difficult for the conservation of rare species such as Luciogobius a/bus (Regan), due to the danger of ground collapse. I therefore redescribed this species based on a collection from the lava tube "Yiikido," in Shimane Prefecture., 島根県松江市の大根島は島全体が火山で，主に玄武岩の溶岩からなるが，溶岩が流れる際にできだ熔岩隧道である幽鬼洞から発見されたナガミズムシ属（甲殻亜門，軟甲綱，等脚目， ミズムシ科）の標本を調査したところ， Phreatoasellus kawamurai (Tattersall) と同定された。しかし，原記載や従来報告された幾つかの報告との形態的相違が見つかった。そのうち，腹部節後端に 1対の浅いくぼみがあること，第 4胸脚が第3胸脚に比して著しく小さくはないこと，尾肢が比較的短いこと，第 2小顎の基節内葉の剛毛数や第3腹肢外肢の剛毛数が多いこと，第1胸脚指節内縁の棘の数が少ないこと，尾肢外肢の長さが内肢に比して著しく短くないことなどは地理的変異と考えられる。なお，顎脚の交尾鉤数やオス第1腹肢基節の交尾鉤数などは個体により変異があるようである。そのほかの変異は成長の変化に伴って変化する形質である可能性が高い。なお，この隧道はドウクツミミズハゼのなどの貴重種が生息しており，崩落の危険があるため入洞は禁止されており，今後も多くの標本を採集することは困難であると思われるので主に分類形質として必要となる可能性の高いオスのほとんどの付属肢の形態を記載しておく。

The rate at which DNA accumulates substitutions varies widely among species. Rate variations have been imputed to species intrinsic features (metabolic rate, life history traits) or to the environment characteristics (ionizing radiations, selection pressure). The aim of this PhD project was to investigate the main hypotheses explaining variations in the rate of molecular evolution between species. To achieve that, we combined the unique properties of subterranean isopods from the Asellidae family and high-throughput sequencing data from the nuclear and mitochondrial genome. Asellidae species have made multiple independent transitions to subterranean environments where subterranean species have repeatedly evolved a lower metabolic rate, a longer lifespan and a longer generation time. Moreover, because they are poor dispersers, they are exposed to the same environment across many generations, allowing us to compare species with long-term contrasted features in term of life history traits and environmental characteristics. We found that generation time negatively impact the rate of molecular evolution in the nuclear genome whereas the mitochondrial rate remained unchanged. We also found an increase of the mutation rate for species living in naturally highly radioactive environments. Finally, the study of the rate of molecular evolution variation at a global scale brought forward a systematic bias which needs to be taken into account in studying the link between the mutation rate and diversification; La vitesse à laquelle les séquences d’ADN évoluent varie selon les espèces. Ces différences peuvent venir de caractéristiques intrinsèques de l’espèce (taux métabolique, traits d’histoire de vie) ou de son environnement (rayonnements ionisants). L’objectif de cette thèse est de tester les principales hypothèses expliquant les variations de taux d’évolution moléculaire entre les espèces. Pour cela, les particularités des Asellidae souterrains ont été couplées avec des données de séquençage nouvelle génération dans le génome nucléaire et le génome mitochondrial. L’utilisation des Asellidae comme modèle biologique nous permet d’avoir, au sein du même groupe, des espèces ayant indépendamment effectuées une transition vers le milieu souterrain. Cette transition étant accompagnée de nombreux changements, tant biologiques (longévité, taux métabolique, temps de génération) qu’environnementaux, elle nous permet, au sein du même groupe, de pouvoir comparer des espèces contrastées en termes de longévité, de taille de populations, de rayonnements ionisants ou encore de productivité et de température. De plus, parce que ces organismes dispersent peu, ils persistent dans le même environnement durant de nombreuses générations, permettant de préciser et de quantifier les facteurs responsables de variations du taux d’évolution moléculaire entre les espèces.Cette approche nous a permis de mettre en évidence un effet du temps de génération sur le taux d’évolution du génome nucléaire mais pas sur le génome mitochondrial. Un effet de la radioactivité naturelle, d’une ampleur analogue à celle du temps de génération a également été mis en évidence. Enfin, l’étude des variations des taux d’évolution moléculaire à une échelle globale a révélée des biais dans les calculs des taux de substitutions qui devront être pris en compte dans les études cherchant a établir le lien entre le taux de mutations et la diversification

Acanthocephalus balkanicus Batchvarov et Combes, 1974 was incompletely described from the northern crested newt, Triturus cristatus (Laurenti) (Amphibia: Salamandridae), a possible synonym of the Balkan crested newt, Triturus ivanbureschi Arntzen et Wielstra, from a pond in village of Pesnopoy, southern Bulgaria. We provide a full description of adult males and females of the same taxon from the olm, Proteus anguinus Laurenti (Amphibia: Proteidae), the only exclusively aquatic cave-dwelling vertebrate in Europe, captured in Postojna-Planina Cave System in Slovenia. Cystacanths were also collected from the cave ecomorph of Asellus aquaticus (Linnaeus) (Crustacea: Asellidae) in the same location. Molecular analysis of specimens from Slovenia revealed that they are genetically almost identical to those of Acanthocephalus anguillae (Müller, 1780), a common parasite of European freshwater fishes. We propose to recognise the morphological and host differences by describing A. balkanicus as a new subspecies of A. anguillae. Acanthocephalus anguillae balkanicus is rather small and cylindrical with cylindrical proboscis having 10 rows of 6 hooks with simple roots each, long neck, large balloon-shaped lemnisci, small spherical anterior testis, and 6 club-shaped cement glands in 3 pairs. SEM images reveal more morphological details and the X-ray scans of gallium cut hooks shows considerably higher levels of phosphorus and calcium in adult hooks than in cystacanth hooks, especially in basal areas. Sulfur levels were higher in the arch and basal area of cystacanth hooks than adult hooks. Considering that both definitive and intermediate hosts of the Slovenian population of this acanthocephalan are bound to cave life, it is possible that its entire life cycle is uniquely completed underground.

A new freshwater isopod, Caecidotea camaxtli sp. nov. (Isopoda, Asellidae) is described from Mexico. The new species can be distinguished from all other species of Caecidotea by the presence of cuticular scales on the caudal process, as well as a short and simple cannula in the apex of the endopodite of pleopod II. [Zoobank URL: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:082CF870-ABC3-4E25-B5F2-8CA59359C2B0]

So far, research on plant-associated macroinvertebrates, even if conducted on a large number of water bodies, has mostly focused on a relatively small area, permitting limited conclusions to be drawn regarding potentially broader geographic effects, including climate. Some recent studies have shown that the composition of epiphytic communities may differ considerably among climatic zones. To assess this phenomenon, we studied macroinvertebrates associated with the common reed Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud in 46 shallow lakes using a common protocol. The lakes, located in nine countries, covered almost the entire European latitudinal range (from

It has come to our attention that in Table 2, four records of Cirolanides sp. were mistakenly labeled as having been catalogued in the University of Texas Insect Collections (UTIC), when in fact they are catalogued in the Aquifer Biology Collection at the Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas. All other information about the specimens is correct. The CORRECT Table is as follows

This paper investigates the relations between the diet structure of predaceous adult water beetles from the Dytiscidae family and the structure of macrofauna inhabiting the same environments. The field studies were carried out from April until September in 2012 and 2013 in 1-mo intervals. In total, >1,000 water beetles and 5,115 benthic macro-invertebrates were collected during the whole period of the study. Subsequently, 784 specimens of adult water beetles (70.6% out of the total sampled) with benthic macro-invertebrates found in their proventriculi, were subject to analysis. The predators were divided into three categories depending on their body size: small beetles (2.3-5.0 mm), medium-sized beetles (13-15 mm), and large beetles (27-37 mm). All adult Dytiscidae consumed primarily Ephemeroptera and Chironomidae larvae. Although Asellidae were numerically dominant inhabitants of the sites, the adult water beetles did not feed on them. The analysis of feeding relations between predators and their prey revealed that abundance of Ephemeroptera, Chironomidae, and larval Dytiscidae between the environment and the diet of adult Dytiscidae were strongly correlated.

Ancient lakes as places of extensive speciation processes have been characterized by a high degree of endemicity and biodiversity. The most outstanding European ancient lake is the oligotrophic and karstic Balkan Lake Ohrid. The lake is inhabited by a number of endemic species, but their evolutionary history is largely unresolved. in the present study, the genetic structure, gene genealogy and demographic history of the representatives of the Ohridian endemic Proasellus species were studied using both biparentally (allozyme loci) and maternally (partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene) inherited markers. Both data sets gave similar results and supported discrepancies among genetic differentiation, the current morphology-based taxonomy and bathymetric segregation. Horizontal distribution of endemic Proasellus species (Lake Ohrid vs adjacent feeder springs) within the lake presumably promote parapatric speciation whereas the main role of vertical barriers into diversification processes was not fully supported. The analyses of demographic history suggested the decline of endemic isopod populations. The radiation of endemic Proasellus populations within the lake could have started from the sublittoral/profundal zone towards the littoral or in the opposite direction — from the littoral to the profundal. Our analyses did not exclude both possibilities.

The evolutionary origin of the striking genome size variations found in eukaryotes remains enigmatic. The effective size of populations, by controlling selection efficacy, is expected to be a key parameter underlying genome size evolution. However, this hypothesis has proved difficult to investigate using empirical data sets. Here, we tested this hypothesis using 22 de novo transcriptomes and low-coverage genomes of asellid isopods, which represent 11 independent habitat shifts from surface water to resource-poor groundwater. We show that these habitat shifts are associated with higher transcriptome-wide dN/dS. After ruling out the role of positive selection and pseudogenization, we show that these transcriptome-wide dN/dS increases are the consequence of a reduction in selection efficacy imposed by the smaller effective population size of subterranean species. This reduction is paralleled by an important increase in genome size (25% increase on average), an increase also confirmed in subterranean decapods and mollusks. We also control for an adaptive impact of genome size on life history traits but find no correlation between body size, or growth rate, and genome size. We show instead that the independent increases in genome size measured in subterranean isopods are the direct consequence of increasing invasion rates by repeat elements, which are less efficiently purged out by purifying selection. Contrary to selection efficacy, polymorphism is not correlated to genome size. We propose that recent demographic fluctuations and the difficulty of observing polymorphism variation in polymorphism-poor species can obfuscate the link between effective population size and genome size when polymorphism data are used alone.

L. dennisi Clamp, 1987 Museum Depositions. USNM. 40928 Holotype; 40929 Paratype. Habitat. Freshwater. Distribution. BR: Nearctic (May��n-Estrada & Aguilar-Aguilar 2012). Mexico: Michoac��n, P��tzcuaro Lake (19 �� 32��to 19 �� 41��N, 101 �� 32��to 101 �� 43��W). USA: Missouri, Jefferson Co., 4.3 km NNE Hillsboro, creek running parallel to MO 21 at Hayden Rd. (38 �� 16 ' 14.36 "N, 90 �� 33 ' 21.04 "W). North Carolina, Franklin Co., 10.4 km E Youngsville, Crooked Cr. at US 401 (36 ��0' 44.25 "N, 78 �� 21 '40.00"W). Virginia, Grayson Co., 5.1 km S Independence, creek tributary to New R. at US 21-221 bridge (36 �� 34 ' 34.63 "N, 81 �� 9 ' 27.31 "W). Hosts. Mexico: Cambarellus patzcuarensis Villalobos (exposed body surface). USA: Cambarus (Cambarus) bartonii bartonii (Fabricius, 1798), C. chasmodactylus James, Orconectes illinoiensis Brown (exposed body surface). References. Clamp 1987 a; Fernandez-Leborans & Tato-Porto 2000; May��n-Estrada & Aladro-Lubel 2000; Fernandez-Leborans 2009., Published as part of May��n-Estrada, Rosaura & Clamp, John C., 2016, An annotated checklist of species in the family Lagenophryidae (Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea, Peritrichia), With a brief review of their taxonomy, morphology, and biogeography, pp. 451-492 in Zootaxa 4132 (4) on page 473, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4132.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/257628, {"references":["Mayen-Estrada, R. & Aguilar-Aguilar, R. (2012) Track analysis and geographic distribution of some Lagenophrys Stein, 1852 (Protozoa: Ciliophora: Peritrichia) species. Journal of Natural History, 46, 249 - 263. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222933.2011.626531","Clamp, J. C. (1987 a) Five new species of Lagenophrys (Ciliophora, Peritricha, Lagenophryidae) from the United States with observations on their developmental stages. Journal of Protozoology, 34, 382 - 392. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1550 - 7408.1987. tb 03197. x","Fernandez-Leborans, G. & Tato-Porto, M. L. (2000) A review of the species of protozoan epibionts of crustaceans. Crustaceana, 73, 643 - 683. Avaliable from: http: // www. jstor. org / stable / 20106331 (Accessed 17 Jun. 2016)","Mayen-Estrada R. & Aladro-Lubel, M. A. (2000) First record of Lagenophrys dennisi (Ciliophora: Peritrichia) on the exoskeleton of crayfish Cambarellus patzcuarensis. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 47, 57 - 61. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1550 - 7408.2000. tb 00011. x","Fernandez-Leborans, G. (2009) A review of recently described epibioses of ciliate Protozoa on Crustacea. Crustaceana, 82, 167 - 189."]}

Mayén-Estrada, Rosaura, Clamp, John C. (2016): An annotated checklist of species in the family Lagenophryidae (Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea, Peritrichia), With a brief review of their taxonomy, morphology, and biogeography. Zootaxa 4132 (4): 451-492, DOI: http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4132.4.1

L. diogenes (Jankowski, 1986) Circolagenophrys diogenes Jankowski 1986: 81 -82. Lagenophrys incompta Clamp 1987: 385 -386. Museum Depositions. USNM. 40930 Holotype; 40931 Paratype. Habitat. Freshwater. Distribution. BR: Nearctic. USA: Pennsylvania (41 �� 11 ' 58.50 "N, 77 �� 11 ' 47.26 "W). Missouri, Jefferson Co. 4.3 km NNE Hillsboro, creek running parallel to MO 21 at Hayden Rd. (38 �� 16 ' 14.36 "N, 90 �� 33 ' 21.04 "W). Hosts. USA: Cambarus diogenes Girard (gills), Orconectes illinoiensis (gills and branchial chamber). References. Jankowski 1986; Clamp 1987 a; Fernandez-Leborans & Tato-Porto 2000; Fernandez-Leborans 2009., Published as part of May��n-Estrada, Rosaura & Clamp, John C., 2016, An annotated checklist of species in the family Lagenophryidae (Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea, Peritrichia), With a brief review of their taxonomy, morphology, and biogeography, pp. 451-492 in Zootaxa 4132 (4) on page 473, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4132.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/257628, {"references":["Jankowski, A. W. (1986) New and little known genera of ciliated protozoa (Phylum Ciliophora). In: Krylov, M. V. (Ed.), Systematics of Protozoa and their phylogenetic links with lower Eukaryotes. Trudy Zoologicheskogo Instituta Akademii Nauk SSSR 144, pp. 72 - 88.","Clamp, J. C. (1987 a) Five new species of Lagenophrys (Ciliophora, Peritricha, Lagenophryidae) from the United States with observations on their developmental stages. Journal of Protozoology, 34, 382 - 392. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1550 - 7408.1987. tb 03197. x","Fernandez-Leborans, G. & Tato-Porto, M. L. (2000) A review of the species of protozoan epibionts of crustaceans. Crustaceana, 73, 643 - 683. Avaliable from: http: // www. jstor. org / stable / 20106331 (Accessed 17 Jun. 2016)","Fernandez-Leborans, G. (2009) A review of recently described epibioses of ciliate Protozoa on Crustacea. Crustaceana, 82, 167 - 189."]}

Caecidotea xochimilca n. sp. is described from specimens found in the roots of the water hyacinth in Lake Xochimilco, Mexico City. There are two other epigean Mexican species: Caecidotea xochimilca n. sp. differs from C. williamsi Escobar-Briones & Alcocer, 2002 by the shape of the palmar processes on male pereopod 1, and the aesthetasc formula and number of flagellar articles in antenna 2. Caecidotea puebla Cole & Minkley, 1968 differs from the new species by the body proportions, the number of flagellar articles in antenna 1 and antenna 2, the flagellum of antenna 1 reaching to the distal border of the peduncle of antenna 2 when reflected, a lateral sinuosity in the exopod of pleopod 2 of the female, the number of setae in pleopods 4 and 5, and uropodal characters. A key for the Mexican species of the genus is given. Caecidotea xochimilca n. sp. es descrita de especimenes encontrados en la raiz de lirio acuatico del Lago de Xochimilco, Ciudad de Mexico. Hay otras dos especies Mexicanas epigeas. Caecidotea xochimilca n. sp. difiere de C. williamsi Escobar-Briones & Alcocer, 2002 por tener diferente la forma del proceso palmar del pereopodo 1 del macho, la formula de aestetascos y el numero de artejos flagelares en la antena 2. Caecidotea puebla Cole & Minkley, 1968 difiere de la especie nueva por la proporcion del cuerpo, el numero de artejos flagelares en la antena 1 y antena 2, el flagelo de la antena 1 cuando esta extendido alcanza el borde distal del pedunculo de la antena 2, la sinuosidad lateral en el exopodo del pleopodo 2 de la hembra, numero de setas en los pleopodos 4 y 5 y las caracteristicas del uropodo. Se proporciona una clave para especies mexicanas del genero.

西湖湖底に生息するミズムシ類の水平分布と生息密度、現存量などを明らかにし、過去のデータと比較することにより、湖底環境の変化を推測することを目的として、2009年3月に湖全域にわたる水平分布調査を行った。全18調査地点のうち、Asellus (s. str.) hilgendorfi Bovallius が捕獲されたのは7地点で、最大1170±1054匹/㎡ (St.7；水深29.6m) であった。捕獲された地点のうち、最も水深の深い地点は58.0m (St.10；119±68匹/㎡) で、浅い地点は29.6mであった。密度の高い地域は湖中央部の北岸に集中していた。Miyadi (1932) の報告と比較すると、A. hilgendorfi の水深分布が近年、水深60m 以深では分布しなくなったこと、分布域が狭くなっていること、最大個体数密度も浅いほうにシフトしていること、などが明らかとなり、60m 以深の湖底環境に変化が生じていることが示唆された。, Article, 環動昆.21(4):231-237(2010)