Cirolanides wassenichae sp. nov., is described from the phreatic zone of Edwards Aquifer, Texas, USA where it sympatric with texensis Benedict, 1896. Its status as a new species based on both morphological and molecular data. Number antennula articles (3–5 vs 9–15), size (mean sizes 9.5 8.8 mm 11.1 10.4 for males females, respectively), morphology pereopods 1–3 (haptorial to semi-haptorial in only 1 haptorial), shape pleotelson (squared, slightly indented rounded) are key characteristics...

A new stygobitic groundwater amphipod species, Stygobromus bakeri sp. nov. , is described from 4 central Texas limestone karst springs; John Knox Spring (Comal County), Jacob’s Well (Hays Mormon (Travis County) and Salado Springs (Bell County). This species belongs to the predominately western Nearctic hubbsi group of differs other in by gnathopod 1 with row 5 setae posterior defining angle, pereopods 6 7 broadly expanded bases distinct distoposterior lobes, gnathopods 2 rows 3 singly...

We describe a new genus, Ufocandona gen. nov. with its type species hannaleeae et sp. nov., from an artesian well in San Marcos, Texas, USA. The genus has diagnostic characteristics that distinguish it other genera Candonidae, including the asymmetric shape of valves, smooth central area on external surface hexagonal ornamentations around marginal ends carapace, dense spines edges right valve and dorsal prolongation tubercles seen inside ventral left valve. Additional differences soft body...

Abstract The prevailing paradigm in subterranean ecology is that below‐ground food webs are simple, limited to one or two trophic levels, and composed of generalist species because spatio‐temporally patchy resources pervasive energy limitation. This based on relatively few studies easily accessible, air‐filled caves. However, some ecosystems, chemolithoautotrophy can subsidize replace surface‐based allochthonous inputs photosynthetically derived organic matter ( OM ) as a basal resource...

Seasonality in surface weather results seasonal temperature and humidity changes caves. Ecological physiological differences among trogloxenes, troglophiles, troglobionts result species-dependent responses to this variability. To investigate these responses, we conducted five biological inventories a marble cave the Sierra Nevada Range, California, USA between May December, 2010. The was divided into six quadrats continuously logged each (humidity at entrance deep cave). With increasing...

Pyrgulopsis Call Pilsbry, 1886 is a genus of small (<5 mm) spring snails, usually endemic to single freshwater springs. Two new populations found in very small, isolated springs and runs the mainstem Rio Grande watershed western Texas are distinguished from congeners. Mitochondrial nuclear sequences, morphometrics, morphological characteristics support rubra sp. nov. harrymilleri as distinct other known species, including geographically proximate P. metcalfi.

Summary Sympatric species are expected to exhibit specialisation that reduces interspecific competition in environments with food resources little spatial or temporal variation availability, while sympatric more unpredictable should generalised feeding strategies exploit a wide range of variable resources. We combined stable isotopes and quantitative mouthpart morphometric data investigate trophic structure among diverse subterranean amphipod assemblage the E dwards A quifer, T exas, U.S.A....

The freshwater gastropod family Cochliopidae is a diverse component of the subterranean fauna in karst and hyporheic habitats western Texas northern Mexico, with 11 genera 27 described species found region. Building on previous phylogenetic studies region we incorporate additional sampling, DNA, morphological study for systematic revision Edwards-Trinity Aquifer System associated habitats. We describe three new species, Stygopyrgus variabilis sp. nov. , gracilis Phreatodrobia embossa revise...

The Edwards Aquifer and related Edwards-Trinity of Central Texas, USA, is a global hotspot stygobiont biodiversity. We summarize 125 years biological investigation at the San Marcos Artesian Well (SMAW), best studied most biodiverse groundwater site (55 taxa: 39 described 16 undescribed) within Groundwater Ecosystem. Cluster analysis redundancy (RDA) incorporating temporally derived, distance-based Moran’s Eigenvector Mapping (dbMem) illustrate temporal dynamics in community composition 85...

Abstract Issue Lot accession information from natural history collections represents a potentially vital source of large datasets to test biodiversity, biogeography and macroecology hypotheses. But does such provide an accurate portrayal the world? We review many types bias error intrinsic museum collection data consider how these factors may affect their ability accurately ecological Evidence considered all Texas land snail two major repositories in state compared them with sample drawn...

Bathynella natans Vejdovsky, 1882, the first described Bathynellidae species, was found in a well Prague. Its original description short and incomplete, holotype already damaged 1899. The lack of type material resulted poor genus morphologically very homogeneous family. This troubled beginning is basis taxonomic problem that has led to assignment many species Europe other continents Bathynella. As currently understood, cosmopolitan, with more than 50 subspecies, most them insufficiently...

A new genus and species of Bathynellidae is described from Texas (USA). Hobbsinella gen. nov. displays a unique combination morphological characters including seven-segmented antenna lacking medial seta on exopod, antennule much longer than antenna, three-segmented mandibular palp with sexual dimorphism, four segments endopod thoracopods I–VII, five spines sympod uropod three lobes the penial region male thoracopod VIII.Partial sequences cytochrome oxidase I (Cox1) 18S have been obtained...

Rugosuscandona scharfi gen. nov. sp. is described as a new genus of the family Candonidae from groundwaters Texas, USA. The differs its congeners based on presence relatively long pore canals with sensory seta carapace surface, 6-segmented first antenna (A1), absence bristles (t setae untransformed) and z second (A2), distinctly shaped male hemipenis clasping organs, simple claw-like uropod, 4+2 whorls Zenker's organ. Additionally, reduction in number segments other soft body parts can be...

Karst aquifer phreatic zones are energy limited habitats supported by organic matter (OM) flow across physical and geochemical boundaries. Photosynthetic OM enters the Edwards Aquifer of Central Texas via streams sinking along its northeastern border. The southeastern boundary is marked a rapid transition between oxygenated freshwaters anoxic saline waters where likely produced chemolithoautotrophic microbes. Spatial temporal heterogeneity in composition at these boundaries was investigated...

Four species of stoneflies (Plecoptera) from an intermittent stream–perennial spring continuum were the subject comparative life-cycle analyses. Allocapnia recta was common in each reach and exhibited univoltine-fast life cycles determinate voltinism. Leuctra alta a L. alta–L. sibleyi mix perennial displayed cycle, implying that demonstrated cf. tenuis absent reach, its growth followed univoltine-slow cycle reach.

Lacrimacandona n. gen. with its type species wisei sp. from the San Marcos artesian well on Texas State University campus (Hays County, Texas, USA) is proposed as a new genus of subfamily Candoninae. The sexually dimorphic, and so far no congeneric have been found. has following distinguishing characters: subtriangular carapace tapering posteriorly, uropod claw-like anterior seta two short claws, one long "a" setae male maxilliped, very large asymmetric clasping organs in males, unique shape...

Setting priorities for scarce conservation dollars requires an accurate accounting of the most vulnerable species. For many invertebrates, lack taxonomic expertise, low detectability, and funding limitations are impediments to this goal, with ranks usually based on expert opinion, published literature, museum records. Because biases inaccuracies in these data, they may not provide basis ranks, especially when compared de novo field surveys. We assessed issue by comparative examination data...

Cabralcandonini tribe n., with the type genus Cabralcandona gen.n. from an artesian well in San Marcos, Texas (U.S.A.) and six other genera karst aquifers Texas, is proposed as a new of subfamily Candoninae (Candonidae) (Crustacea, Ostracoda).The have morphological features that distinguish them members subfamily.The most diagnostic characteristics are (1) two horn-like structures developed on antero-and postero-dorsal margins left valve, (2) numbers central muscle scars, (3) hexagonal or...