Abstract The present paper describes a new species of freshwater crayfish of the genus Parastacus Huxley, 1879 from the municipality of Amaral Ferrador in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, evaluates its conservation status according to the IUCN Red List Criteria (sub-criterion B1), and updates the identification key for the genus. Parastacus longidactylus sp. n. differs from all analyzed species by the large eyes, the prominent and wide rostral carinae, surpassing the rostral basis and extending to the proximal third of the postorbital carinae, postorbital carinae and rostral carinae prominent and with similar lengths, chelipeds carpus dorsomedial surface not divided longitudinally by groove and long dactylus, surpassing the fixed finger. The possible extent of occurrence was estimated to be 6,968 km² and the species was recorded in only one location in the Camaquã River basin. The main threats to the region are the replacement of native vegetation by crops and livestock, water pollution and soil erosion. However, because there is only one known location where Parastacus longidactylus sp. n. occurs we suggest classifying the species as Data Deficient.

Abstract Cymothoa ianuariiSchioedte & Meinert, 1884 is rediscovered almost 136 years after its original description and redescribed from specimens collected in the state of São Paulo. This species is mainly characterized by adult females with cephalon with conspicuous eyes and not deeply immersed in pereonite 1, pereonites 5-6 much wider than 4, pleotelson twice as wide as long and pleopods 1-5 decreasing in size; Cymothoa excisaPerty, 1833 and C. oestrum (Linnaeus, 1758) are recorded from the state of Bahia. Illustrations and an updated distribution map for these species in Brazil are provided.

Abstract This study deals with population structure and habitat sharing of two sympatric aeglid species, Aegla jarai Bond-Buckup and Buckup, 1994 and Aegla muelleri Bond-Buckup and Buckup, 2010 at Espingarda Creek, Serra do Itajaí National Park, Rio Itajaí-Açú basin, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Individuals of A. jarai (n = 190) and A. muelleri (n = 131) were captured from June/2001 to May/2002 in monthly collection. A total of 89 males and 101 females (2 ovigerous) of A. jarai were collected with a sex ratio of 1:1, and 56 males and 75 females (2 ovigerous) of A. muelleri, with a predominance of females. Aegla jarai was larger than A. muelleri and the reproductive period of A. jarai was in the winter and spring, while that of A. muelleri was in the spring. Three cohorts were observed throughout the year, and both species have a recruiting period in the spring and summer. Both species perform their entire life cycle in the Espingarda Creek and their coexistence is attributed to space partitioning: the larger A. jarai lives in the large spaces formed between boulders, while the smaller A. muelleri shelters in the small spaces between pebbles.

Abstract Many monitoring studies use marking techniques to obtain dispersal data on individuals. Marking procedures may influence the vital activities of the terrestrial isopods, such as feeding behavior. The objective of this study was to identify the efficiency of different materials for external marking of woodlice and the influence on their feeding performance. Cyanoacrylate glue + glitter and nail polish were used as separate marking materials on three species: Balloniscus glaber, Benthana picta and Armadillidium vulgare. The material efficiency was compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and Log-Rank analysis. Individuals were fed with leaf discs of Machaerium stipitatum for feeding performance trials, and consumption rates were compared using ANOVA (α<0.05). There was no difference in durability between the materials used for external markings, except between marked and unmarked Benthana specimens when the observation period exceeded 15 days (Log-Rank=8.446, p=0.015). Nail polish was considered more suitable for feeding experiments. Statistical differences in consumption rates were observed only between the marked individual treatments of Benthana (ANOVA, F=7.5440, p=0.0002). These results indicate that external marking does not affect the feeding habits of the animals and suggest that this technique can be used to monitor dispersal of terrestrial isopods in field conditions for approximately 15 days.

ABSTRACT Isopods consume feces in laboratory conditions. We investigated the effects of coprophagy on food consumption and assimilation and on isopod biomass to determine the best methodological design for feeding performance experiments. We used three species of isopods representing different eco-morphological groups and two leaves with different nitrogen content. We tested three treatments: (1) free access to feces; (2) periodic removal of feces and (3) net acting as a barrier to the feces. We did not find significant difference in any isopod or leaf species for consumption rate. Assimilation efficiency did not differ significantly for any isopod or leaf either. Only growth rate was significantly different, but only for the species Atlantoscia floridana (Van Name, 1940) with the leaf Machaerium stipitatum, and it may be due to the short duration of experiments and the isopods’ susceptibility to environmental changes. Thus, we recommend the treatment access to study consumption and growth rates since it does not require any special material or extra time. If the focus is assimilation efficiency, we suggest the treatment removal because it provides more accurate values. Furthermore, more fragile species such as A. floridana require larger sample number and/or longer experiment duration for more reliable data analyses.

ABSTRACT: The deep-sea crab Chaceon ramosae occurs at 350-1200 m depth in the southeast and south of Brazil. Here we evaluated the latitudinal, bathymetric, and seasonal abundance of C. ramosae in southern Brazil obtained during several research cruises. We also obtained populational data to evaluate the effectiveness of the fishing regulations for C. ramosae. Five sampling cruises were carried out in 2009-2010 and the sampling effort comprised 32 fishing hauls with four pots per mainline. In total, 195 individuals were caught, 128 males and 67 females, of which 17 were ovigerous. The highest catch per unit effort occurred between 29°03’ and 29°05’S at 800-1000 m in depth. The highest abundance occurred in winter, and almost all ovigerous females were captured in this season. The size at the onset of sexual maturity was estimated at 120 mm carapace width. Depth was the most critical environmental factor explaining C. ramosae distribution. The largest individuals, as well as the mature ones, were mainly captured in shallower regions (400-600 m). Our results confirm the need for prohibiting the fishing for C. ramosae at depths lesser than 500 m.

Abstract Ludwig Buckup holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural History in 1954 from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Tübingen, Germany, in 1958. He joined UFRGS as a Professor in 1958, from where he retired in 1990. During this period he was fully devoted to his career of professor and scientist. His investigations in the area of Carcinology covered mainly the Parastacidae and Aeglidae families. Even after he retired, Professor Buckup participated in numerous research and extension activities inside and outside the University. Always engaged in environmental causes, he actively takes part in debates and lectures about the environment and conservation in the city of Porto Alegre and other cities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. His career is highlighted by important steps for the construction of academic spaces and the development and consolidation of Carcinology, in particular for the Brazilian Crustacean Society.

Abstract Two new species of Parastacus Huxley, 1879 are described from the Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil: Parastacus buckupi sp. nov. from a highland stream in the hydrographic basin Maquiné river, Maquiné, state of Rio Grande do Sul; and Parastacus pilicarpus sp. nov. from a first order stream in the hydrographic basin Araranguá River, Morro Grande, state of Santa Catarina. Parastacus buckupi sp. nov. is distinguishable from all other Parastacus species via its large and globose chelipeds, by the presence of tufts of long and simple setae in the cutting edge of cheliped fingers, which are more abundant proximally and by possessing a telson with an acute distal margin. Parastacus pilicarpus sp. nov. is diagnosed mainly by the distal portion of the carpus which possess tufts of long, simple setae, and by having an epistome whose anteromedian lobe is heptagonal and as long as it is wide. Finally, P. pilicarpus antennal scales lateral margin terminates in a very strong terminal spine and mandibles incisive lobe has nine teeth, with the first tooth from the anterior margin being the largest. The conservation status based on the sub-criterion B1 of IUCN Red List allowed us to classify these species as “ENDANGERED” and “DATA DEFICIENT”, respectively.

RESUMO. Uma grande coleção de isópodes terrestres de diferentes regiões brasileiras foi examinada. Duas novas espécies de Amazoniscus Lemos de Castro, 1967 (Scleropactidae) são descritas: A. zimmeri Campos-Filho, Montesanto & Araujo sp. nov. proveniente do Estado do Pará e A. schmidti Campos-Filho, Montesanto & Taiti sp. nov. do Estado de Minas Gerais. Pseudotyphloscia alba (Dollfus, 1898) (Philosciidae) tem o seu primeiro registro para o Brasil. A posição sistemática de Venezillo tuberosus (Budde-Lund, 1904) é discutida e transferida para Ctenorillo Verhoeff, 1942. Androdeloscia lejeunei (Lemos de Castro & Souza, 1986) e Diploexochus echinatus Brandt, 1833 do Estado do Pará, são redescritas.

ABSTRACT. A large collection of terrestrial isopods from different Brazilian regions was examined. Two new species of Amazoniscus Lemos de Castro, 1967 (Scleropactidae) are described: A. zimmeri Campos-Filho, Montesanto & Araujo sp. nov. from the state of Pará and A. schmidti Campos-Filho, Montesanto & Taiti sp. nov. from the state of Minas Gerais. Pseudotyphloscia alba (Dollfus, 1898) (Philosciidae) is firstly recorded from Brazil. The systematic position of Venezillo tuberosus (Budde-Lund, 1904) is discussed and transferred to Ctenorillo Verhoeff, 1942. Androdeloscia lejeunei (Lemos de Castro & Souza, 1986) and Diploexochus echinatus Brandt, 1833 from the state of Pará, are redescribed.

Abstract In this contribution we describe a new species of burrowing crayfish of the genus Parastacus Huxley, 1879 from a swamp forest in southern Brazil and determine its conservation status. The distinction of the new species is based on morphology and the mitochondrial DNA marker 16S rRNA. The extinction risk was assessed according to the sub-criterion B1 of IUCN that estimates the Extent of Occurrence (EOO). Parastacus tuerkayi sp. nov. is morphologically distinguishable from all species of Parastacus by having three lines of verrucous tubercles on the dorsomesial margin of the cheliped propodus and a suborbital angle exceeding 90°. The EOO comprises 647,674 km², and the species is classified as “endangered”. Phylogenetic relationships indicate the distinct position of this new species in relation to the already described species.

RESUMO Balloniscus glaber Araujo & Zardo, 1995 (Balloniscidae), um oniscídeo Neotropical, tem sido registrado historicamente em ambientes com baixa ou sem interferência humana. Em uma dessas áreas, a espécie foi classificada como K-estrategista. No entanto, recentemente foi registrada em uma floresta perturbada dentro dos limites urbanos. O presente trabalho revela que a população na área urbana tem densidade alta, elevado número de fêmeas ovígeras e mancas, período reprodutivo longo e maturidade sexual precoce. Estes resultados sugerem que um ambiente modificado pode proporcionar condições favoráveis e que a espécie não é afetada negativamente pela influência humana.

ABSTRACT Balloniscus glaber Araujo & Zardo, 1995 (Balloniscidae), a Neotropical Oniscidea, has been recorded historically in environments with low or no human interference. In one of these areas, it was determined as aK-strategist. Recently, however, this species was documented in a disturbed forest within urban limits. The present work revealed that the population in the urban area has high density, high number of ovigerous females and mancae in the population, a long reproductive period, and early sexual maturity. These results suggest that modified environments may provide favorable conditions and that the species is not negatively affected by human influence.

ABSTRACTAlien species have been transported and traded by humans for many centuries. However, with the era of globalization, biological invasions have reached notable magnitudes. Currently, introduction of alien species is one of the major threats to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The North American crayfish Procambarus clarkii is one of the most widely introduced freshwater species in the world, especially due to its high economic importance. It is responsible for great modifications in invaded environments causing irreparable ecological and economic damages. Its impressive ability to successfully colonize a wide range of environments is a consequence of its behavioural and biological characteristics that can adapt to features of the invaded location, conferring to this species a notable ecological plasticity. This review summarizes the available information regarding P. clarkii's biology and invasive dynamics around the world in order to contribute to the understanding of the threats posed by its establishment, as well as to support management and impact mitigation efforts.

The activity of the litter-feeding macrofauna affects litter decomposition rates at the local scale, and their preference for particular litter types is mediated by litter traits. Environmental changes such as invasion by exotic plants may change the characteristics of the litter at a local scale, with consequences to ecosystem processes. Here we evaluated the feeding preferences of four detritivores (terrestrial isopods) from two biogeographic regions (neotropical and palearctic), offering them native or non-native litter in cafeteria experiments. Our results show that isopods from different geographical regions exhibit essentially the same food preference, irrespective of whether or not they previously had encountered the litter tested. Combining the isopods' preference ranks with the principal component analysis of nine litter traits, we show that preference increases with increasing nitrogen and calcium contents and decreases with increasing toughness, C:N ratio and thickness, irrespective of the geographical origin of both litter and detritivores. We conclude that the palatability of a non-native litter to the native detritivore community can be predicted from their respective litter traits and thus, native detritivores will feed on a particular non-native litter type as likely as do detritivores in the native range of the plant. As the combination of traits that indicates palatability to the isopods also indicates litter decomposability, it could be possible to predict ecosystem responses in terms of litter decomposition rates upon changes in litter composition.

Os isópodos terrestres são um importante e dominante componente nas comunidades de meso e macro-decompositores de solo. O presente estudo investiga a diversidade e composição de espécies de isópodos terrestres em três formações vegetais diferentes na Serra Geral do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. A área compreende duas formações naturais (Mata Primária e Mata Secundária) e área de plantio de Pinus sp. As armadilhas do tipo pitfall ficaram operantes de março de 2001 a maio de 2002, compreendendo dois períodos de verão e um de inverno. Contabilizaram-se 14 datas amostrais até a retirada das armadilhas. Foram identificadas cinco espécies de isópodos terrestres: Alboscia silveirensis Araujo, 1999, Atlantoscia floridana (van Name, 1940), Benthana araucariana Araujo & Lopes, 2003 (Philoscidae), Balloniscus glaber Araujo & Zardo, 1995 (Balloniscidae) e Styloniscus otakensis (Chilton, 1901) (Styloniscidae); somente A. floridana foi abundante em todos ambientes e B. glaber abundante nas formações naturais. Os dados obtidos possibilitaram a realização de inferências sobre as características populacionais destas espécies. A Análise de Similaridade revelou diferença quantitativa entre as áreas, mas não diferença qualitativa. A análise da Proporção Sexual Operacional (OSR) de A. floridana não revelou diferenças significativas entre a proporção sexual entre as áreas. O período reprodutivo identificado no presente estudo, para A. floridana, compreende da primavera até o outono na Mata Primária e plantio de Pinus, e durante o ano todo na Mata Secundária. A Proporção Sexual Operacional (OSR) de B. glaber não apresentou diferenças entre quantidade de machos e fêmeas na Mata Secundária, porém a Mata Primária apresenta diferença entre esta proporção. O período reprodutivo para B. glaber estende-se do verão até o outono (Mata Primária e Secundária). Este é o primeiro registro para o Brasil do estabelecimento de populações de isópodos terrestres em área de plantio de Pinus sp., evidenciado pela presença de jovens, adultos e fêmeas ovígeras, equilíbrio da proporção sexual, padrões esperados de fecundação e reprodução, comparados ao de populações em áreas com vegetação nativa.

Terrestrial isopods are important and dominant component of meso and macrodecomposer soil communities. The present study investigates the diversity and species composition of terrestrial isopods on three forests on the Serra Geral of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The area has two natural formations (Primary Woodland and Secondary Woodland) and one plantation of introduced Pinus. The pitfall traps operated from March 2001 to May 2002, with two summer periods and one winter. There were 14 sampling dates overall. Of the five species found: Alboscia silveirensis Araujo, 1999, Atlantoscia floridana (van Name, 1940), Benthana araucariana Araujo & Lopes, 2003 (Philoscidae), Balloniscus glaber Araujo & Zardo, 1995 (Balloniscidae) and Styloniscus otakensis (Chilton, 1901) (Styloniscidae); only A. floridana is abundant on all environments and B. glaber is nearly exclusive for the native forests. The obtained data made it possible to infer about population characteristics of this species. The Similarity Analysis showed a quantitative difference among the Secondary forest and Pinus plantation, but not a qualitative one. The operational sex ratio (OSR) analysis for A. floridana does not reveal significant differences in male and female proportions among environments. The reproductive period identified in the present study for A. floridana was from spring to autumn in the primary forest and Pinus plantation and during all year for the secondary forest. The OSR analysis for B. glaber reveals no significant differences in abundance between males and females for secondary forest, but the primary forest was a significant difference. The reproductive period for B. glaber extended from summer to autumn (for primary and secondary forest). This is the first record for Brazil of an established terrestrial isopod population in a Pinus sp. plantation area, evidenced by the presence of young, adults and ovigerous females, balanced sex ratio, expected fecundity and reproduction pattern, as compared to populations from native vegetation areas.