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ZOOTAXA

ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)

ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)Copyright © 2013 Magnolia Press

Zootaxa 3734 (5): 591–596

www.mapress.com/zootaxa/Article

http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3734.5.8

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4FC66E64-F279-459D-83DF-7AF945B10DBD

First recorded cave-dwelling terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) in Iran with

a description of a new species

GHASEM M. KASHANI1,3, MOHAMMAD-JAVAD MALEKHOSSEINI2 & SABER SADEGHI2,3 1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran3Corresponding author. E-mail: kashani_gm@znu.ac.ir; sabersadeghi@yahoo.com

Abstract

Cave-dwelling terrestrial isopods from the province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad, southwestern Iran, are reported here.

These include three accidental and one troglobitic species namely Protracheoniscus gakalicus n. sp., which is also the

first recorded troglobitic species from the genus Protracheoniscus. The new species is readily distinguished by the lack

of eyes and pigmentation.

Key words: Oniscidea, cavernicolous, Protracheoniscus, new species, Iran

Introduction

The Zagros and Alborz mountains are the two main mountain chains in western and northern Iran, respectively.

They constitute nearly one third of the surface area of Iran and have many caves. Despite the high number of

known caves in Iran (www.irancaves.com), the cave-dwelling fauna of Iran has been poorly investigated. Almost

all recorded species are those categorized as trogloxenes (for terminology, see Romero 2009).

Previous studies have reported only four troglobitic (blind and depigmented) organisms from Iran: the Iran

cave barb Iranocypris typhlops Bruun & Kaiser, 1944 and the blind loach Paracobitis smithi Smith, 1976

(Cypriniformes), Niphargus alisadri Esmaili & Sari, 2013 and N. daniali Esmaili & Sari, 2013 (Amphipoda).

No record of cave-dwelling terrestrial isopods has been reported in Iran until now. During a survey of

cavernicolous species in the province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad, a mountainous region southwestern Iran

(Fig. 1), the second author discovered four species of terrestrial isopods in two caves. They comprised three

accidental and one troglobitic species. The latter is described here as a new species, Protracheoniscus gakalicus

n.sp. The other three species were Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833), Agabiformius lentus (Budde-Lund,

1855), two cosmopolitan species from Gakal cave, and Proporcellio sp. from Neyneh cave. The new species is also

the first from the genus Protracheoniscus to truly adapt to inhabiting caves.

Material and methods

The material examined herein was collected from Gakal and Neyneh caves in the province of Kohgiluyeh and

Boyerahmad (Fig. 1b), a mountainous province in Zagross Mountains, southwest of Iran.

Gakal cave is in a mountainous region near the village of Sartipabad, 40 km east of Gachsaran, 30°18'44" N,

51°09'28" E; altitude, 1100 m. This cave is relatively small, but has an enormous central hall and good cavernicole

diversity. Humidity is very high and the cave floor is covered with bat guano in most places. The cavernicoles

include millipedes, centipedes, mites, pseudoscorpions, cockroaches, beetles, collembolans, and a number of toads.

This cave was surveyed twice on 18 May 2012 and 2 October 2012. Other characteristics of the cave included:

humidity 97–99.9%; CO2: 715–3040 ppm; air temperature 23°C; water temperature 23°C , with little and low speed

water flow which gathered in stone depressions and small pools in different parts; pH: 7.15.

Accepted by J. Svavarsson: 24 Oct. 2013; published: 8 Nov. 2013 591

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Neyneh cave is located 45 km southwest of Dehdasht city, in Khaeiz Mountains, 30°40'18" N, 50°21'71" E,

altitude, 770 m. This cave is more than 700 meters long, with a large colony of bats with guano covering most part

of the cave floor. The cave was surveyed one time on 17 May 2012. Main characteristics of the cave included:

temperature 25°C; humidity: 95–99.9%; CO2: 613–700ppm.

Most parts of these caves were investigated. The specimens were collected by hand and preserved in 70%

ethanol. Type specimens of the new species and the material of other collected species were deposited in the

Collection of Biology Department of Shiraz University (CBSU); Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart

(SMNS); Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt (SMF) and personal collection of the first author (PCGMK).

FIGURE 1. A, the location of the province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad (study area) in Iran; B, the location of the caves in

the province; 1, Gakal; 2, Neyneh. Cities; Y: Yasuj , G: Gachsaran , D: Dehdasht.

Family Porcellionidae Brandt, 1831

Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833)

Material examined. Three males and two females, E of Gachsaran, Gakal cave, 30°18'44" N, 51°09'28" E,

alt.1100 m, 18 May 2012 (CBSU-Cr-Is.1005).

Remarks. This cosmopolitan species can be found throughout Iran (unpublished data); however this is the first

time it is reported from the country. The specimens found inside the caves had no special difference with the ones

from epigean localities.

Distribution. Cosmopolitan species of Mediterranean origin. New record for Iran.

Agabiformius lentus (Budde-Lund, 1855)

Material examined. One female, E of Gachsaran, Gakal cave, 30°18'44" N, 51°09'28" E, alt.1100 m, 18 May 2012

(CBSU-Cr-Is.1004).

Remarks. This is the first record of this species from Iran.This specimen had similar characteristics as epigean

ones found in other parts of Iran (unpublished data).

Distribution.�Mediterranean area, synanthropicaly introduced to many other parts of the world. New record

for Iran.

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Proporcellio sp.

Material examined. Two males and four females, East of Gachsaran, Neyneh cave, 17 May 2012 (CBSU-Cr-

Is.1006); two males and one female, same data (PCGMK 1604).

Remarks. These specimens are very similar to the ones described and illustrated as Proporcellio sp. from the

United Arab Emirates (Taiti & Checcucci 2011) and to specimens from other parts of Iran (unpublished data). Due

to the taxonomic uncertainties of the genus Proporcellio (see Taiti & Checcucci 2011), the taxonomic status of this

species currently remains unclear.

Distribution. New record for Iran.

Family Agnaridae Schmidt, 2002

Protracheoniscus gakalicus n. sp.

Material examined. Holotype: male, 9 mm, East of Gachsaran, Gakal cave, 18 May 2012 (CBSU-Cr-Is.1001).

Paratypes: one male, same data as for holotype (SMNS T615); one female, same data as for holotype (SMNS

T616); one male, same data as for holotype (SMF 43366); four males and two females, same data as for holotype

(PCGMK 1603); one male and two females, same data as for holotype (CBSU-Cr-Is.1002); three males and three

females, same locality as for holotype, 2 October 2012 (CBSU-Cr-Is.1003)

Diagnosis. Body pigmentless. Cephalon with developed lateral lobes, eyes absent. Male pereiopod VII

ischium stout with several strong setae on tergal margin. Male pleopod endopodite I straight, exopodite sub-

rectangular.

Description. Maximum length: male and female 10 mm. Body elongated, pigmentless (Fig. 2). Eyes absent.

Cephalon with well developed lateral and median lobes (Fig. 3A), no supraantennal line.

FIGURE 2. Protracheoniscus gakalicus n. sp. in Gakal cave.

Antenna long, reaching the posterior margin of fourth pereion tergite; fifth article of peduncle as long as

flagellum; flagellum with two articles of the same size (Fig. 3D).

Antennule of three articles with a tuft of long aesthetascs at apex (Fig. 3E).�

Mandible with molar penicil consisting of several plumose setae; 1+3 free penicils on the right mandible and

2+3 on the left (Fig. 4 A, B).

Maxillule with outer branch bearing 4+5 simple teeth (Fig. 4C); inner branch with two long penicils and a

triangular posterior point (Fig. 4D).

Maxilla distally bilobate and setose, inner lobe wider than outer one, three aesthetascs between the two lobes

(Fig. 4 E).

Maxilliped endite with two small triangular teeth on anterior margin (Fig. 4F).

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FIGURE 3. Protracheoniscus gakalicus n.sp., male paratype, 9 mm. A, cephalon and first pereonite; B, telson and uropods; C,

right side of pereion showing disposition of noduli laterales; D, antenna; E, pereiopod 1; F, pereiopod 7. Scale = 1 mm.

Pereion smooth; posterolateral margins of first pereionite convex (Fig. 3A); noduli laterales on pereionites 1–4

distinctly more distant from the lateral margins than those on pereionite 5–7 (Fig. 3C).

Pleon smooth, pleopod exopodites I–V with monospiracular covered lungs (Fig. 5B–F).

Telson triangular, almost as long as wide, with slightly concave sides and acute apex, slightly surpassing

uropod protopodites.

Uropod protopodites with conspicuous incision on lateral margins; exopodite long, twice as long as telson

(Fig. 3B).

Male: pereiopod I merus and carpus with brushes of trifid setae (Fig. 3F).

Pereiopod VII ischium stout with straight sternal margin, several strong setae on tergal margin (Fig. 3G).

Pleopod exopodite I somehow rectangular, with a row of fine setae on outer margin (Fig. 5B); endopodite

straight, with a line of small setae at apex (Fig. 5A).

Pleopod endopodite II as long as exopodite; exopodite triangular with a row of fine setae on outer margin (Fig.

5C).

Pleopod exopodites III–V as in Fig. 5D–F.

Remarks. A species of Protracheoniscus characterized by the smooth body, rounded posterolateral margins of

the first pereionite, the head bearing short or well-developed lateral lobes, the triangular telson and pleopod-

exopodites I–V with monospiracular covered lungs (Schmidt 2003). Diagnostic characters of this species including

shape of antenna, cephalon, posterolateral margins of first pereionite and telson are well corresponding with the

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genus Protracheoniscus. The genus includes more than 60 valid species (see Schmalfuss 2003) distributed in

Eurasia from Spain to Japan. This is the first known species of the genus adapted for a cavernicolous way of life,

acquiring some unique traits that distinguish it readily from other species. Lack of pigmentation and eyes, and

possessing long antenna and uropodal exopodites are among these adaptations.

Distribution. Southwest of Iran.

Etymology. The name of the species is after the type locality, Gakal cave.

FIGURE 4. Protracheoniscus gakalicus n.sp., paratype, 9 mm. A, left mandible; B, right mandible; C, maxillule, outer branch

; D, maxillule, inner branch ; E, maxilla; F, maxilliped. Scale = 0.1 mm.

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FIGURE 5. Protracheoniscus gakalicus n.sp., male paratype, 9 mm. A, pleopod endopodite 1; B, pleopod exopodite 1; C,

pleopod exopodite 2; D, pleopod exopodite 3; E, pleopod exopodite 4; F, pleopod exopodite 5. Scale = 0.2 mm.

Acknowledgments

We cordially thank Helmuth Schmalfuss (SMNS) for confirming the identification of the new species and for his

valuable scientific comments on the manuscript, and Ali Mohammadi (Zanjan Sufi Non-benefit University, Iran)

and Radan Institute for improving the English language. We are also grateful to anonymous reviewers for

providing constructive criticism on the manuscript.

References

Romero, A. (2009) Cave Biology, life in darkness. Cambridge University Press, 291 pp.

Schmalfuss, H. (2003) World catalog of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea). StuttgarterBeiträge zur Naturkunde, Serie A,

654, 1–341.

Schmidt, C. (2003) Contribution to the phylogenetic system of the Crinocheta (Crustacea, Isopoda). Part 2 (Oniscoidea to

Armadillidiidae). Mitteilungen aus dem Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin, Zoologische Reihe, 79, 3–179.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mmnz.4850790102

Taiti, T. & Checcucci, I. (2011) Order Isopoda, suborder Oniscidea. In: van Harten, A. (Ed.), Arthropod Fauna of the UAE, 33–

58.

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