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The interstitial groundwater genus Microcharon (Crustacea, Isopoda, Microparasellidae) is highly diversified in southern France. A new species, Microcharon boulanouari n. sp. is described from the Aude River, whereas specimens from the Lachein River in the central Pyrenees are reassigned to another species, M. ariegensis new to Science. Microcharon boulanouari n. sp. is closely related to the species of the group rouchi and may belong to the phylogenetic western Mediterranean lineage. The two-step model of colonization and evolution provides an understanding of the origin and age of this stygobite. Microcharon boulanouari n. sp. is derived from marine ancestors that lived in the interstitial littoral shallow bottoms of the Atlantic embayment which covered southwestern France at the very beginning of the early Eocene period. Both the regression of this gulf at the start of the Eocene and the Pyrenees uplift may have played a major role in the evolutionary history through vicariance of Microcharon boulanouari n. sp. and of the northern Pyrenean species of the group rouchi.

Subterranean aquatic fauna of France : data base and biogeography. Many data exist on the aquatic subterranean fauna of France but they are scattered. Thus, large scale patterns of ground water biodiversity are still poorly documented due mainly to the lack of synthesis. Since 2002, we are currently gathering existing information on the distribution of sty gobite species in France. A first inventory is presented in this paper. The present data base contains 381 species and subspecies corresponding to more than 5700 records. This diversity indicates that the sty gobite fauna of France is among one of the richest ground water fauna in Europe. Our current knowledge of groundwater biodiversity varies markedly among zoological groups and regions. We are currently implementing the present data set in order to provide a distribution pattern as complete as possible of stygobite richness in France. The data base will be used for delineating hot-spots of biodiversity (specific richness, endemism), for identifying priority areas for conservation and for formulating and testing hypotheses on the origin and drivers of groundwater biodiversity., De nombreuses données existent sur la faune aquatique souterraine de France mais elles sont encore dispersées. Depuis 2002, un effort a été entrepris pour rassembler sous la forme d'une base de données, les informations disponibles concernant la distribution de cette faune aquatique souterraine de France. Un premier bilan en est présenté dans cet article. La base comprend actuellement 381 espèces et sous-espèces correspondant à plus de 5700 enregistrements. Cette diversité place la faune française parmi l'une des plus riches faunes aquatiques souterraines d'Europe. Le bilan réalisé montre que l'état actuel des connaissances est très hétérogène en fonction du groupe zoologique considéré et de la région étudiée. La base de données sera utilisée pour identifier les régions à forte de biodiversité (richesse spécifique, endémisme) et les aires françaises de conservation prioritaires. Elle permettra également de formuler et de tester différentes hypothèses sur l'origine et les facteurs responsables de la biodiversité aquatique souterraine., Ferreira David, Dole Olivier Marie-José, Malard Florian, Deharveng Louis, Gibert Janine, Bou Claude, Brancelj A., Coineau Nicole, Falkner M., Falkner Gerhard, Galassi D., Giani Narcisse, Ginet René, Henry J.-P., Jouin-Toulmond C., Juget Jacques, Lescher-Moutoué Françoise, Magniez G., Marmonier Pierre, Mathieu Julien, Richoux Philippe, Turquin Marie-José. Faune aquatique souterraine de France : base de données et éléments de biogéographie. In: Karstologia : revue de karstologie et de spéléologie physique, n°42, 2e semestre 2003. Les cavités glaciaires sous le regard des spéléologues. pp. 15-22.

A study of the breeding cycle and population structure of Angeliera phreaticola (Isopoda, Asellota, Microparasellidae) has been carried out in the western Mediterranean. The species shows a seasonal reproductive cycle. The breeding season occurs from mid-April to the end of September. Release of juveniles is limited to the period from June to the end of September. Fourty to seventy days are necessary for the embryological development which is very long, eighty days for the post-marsupial one. It is suggested that in spring the increasing temperature of the interstitial waters accelerates the maturity of the ovocyte and post-embryonic development, and causes an advance of the breeding season. Each summer-born generation reproduces next year and yields reproducing animals two years after. Each female produces two broods (rarely three) per reproduction season and can get three to six descendants at most. Sex ratio of males to females is expressed as a function of the season and the size; males outnumber females. A. phreaticola has a maximum life span of about two years and two or three months.