Abstract
In this study, we report the results of a taxonomic survey of terrestrial isopods from Isla Grande, a ca 2 km2 island located in the north of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. We found a total of 17 species belonging to nine families and 10 genera. Eight of these species have been reported only from the Caribbean region, nine are recorded for the first time in Colombia, and three are new to science and described here: Tylos negroi López-Orozco, Carpio-Díaz & Campos-Filho sp. nov., Stenoniscus nestori López-Orozco, Taiti & Campos-Filho sp. nov. and Armadilloniscus luisi Carpio-Díaz, Taiti & Campos-Filho sp. nov. Our revision also determined that the genus Microphiloscia is a junior synonym of Halophiloscia; and moreover, Halophiloscia trichoniscoides comb. nov. is redescribed. We also provide illustrations for Armadilloniscus caraibicus and Armadilloniscus ninae. Most (16) of the species were found in coastal habitats (i.e., beaches, coastal lagoons and mangroves), whereas the tropical dry forest harbored only two species. Molecular phylogenetic inferences supported the presence of three species of Tylos in Isla Grande (i.e., one new species and a new lineage within each of two known species). Our work on Tylos highlights the importance of combining taxonomic and molecular analyses to support taxonomic decisions and uncover cryptic diversity. Due to the multiple threats to Caribbean coastal habitats, taxonomic and molecular genetic research are urgently needed to understand biodiversity patterns of oniscideans in the Caribbean, which will inform strategies for their protection. Such studies will also contribute to our knowledge of their evolution, ecology, and potential uses, as well as the factors that have shaped the remarkable Caribbean biodiversity.
Highlights
Terrestrial isopods (Oniscidea Latreille, 1802) constitute one of the most diverse groups within Isopoda Latreille, 1817, including more than 3800 species in 38 families and more than 500 genera (Schmalfuss 2003; Javidkar et al 2015, 2017; Sfenthourakis & Taiti 2015)
Isla Grande appears to harbor a high diversity of oniscideans in coastal habitats, where 16 of the 17 species reported here were observed (Table 1)
These include species commonly found in the Caribbean region (Ligia baudiniana, Tylos niveus, T. marcuzzii, Armadilloniscus caraibicus, A. ninae, and Halophiloscia trichoniscoides comb. nov.) and three new species (Tylos negroi López-Orozco, Carpio-Díaz & Campos-Filho sp. nov., Stenoniscus nestori López-Orozco, Taiti & Campos-Filho sp. nov., and Armadilloniscus luisi CarpioDíaz, Taiti & Campos-Filho sp. nov.)
Summary
Terrestrial isopods (Oniscidea Latreille, 1802) constitute one of the most diverse groups within Isopoda Latreille, 1817, including more than 3800 species in 38 families and more than 500 genera (Schmalfuss 2003; Javidkar et al 2015, 2017; Sfenthourakis & Taiti 2015). Recent molecular studies have uncovered high levels of cryptic diversity within nominal species of marine coastal oniscideans that were considered broad-ranging, but that instead encompass many genetically highly differentiated lineages, each with relatively small ranges (Hurtado et al 2010, 2013, 2014, 2018; Eberl et al 2013; Santamaria et al 2013, 2014). Their high potential for diversification stresses the importance of continuing taxonomic and systematic studies of oniscideans in coastal habitats, to better recognize their patterns of diversity, which, in turn, will serve as the foundation
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