Metadata

Pimelodella spelaea

Trajano, Reis and Bichuette 2004

ORDERSUB-ORDERFAMILY
SiluriformesSiluroideiHeptapteridae

Synonyms

None.

Country

Brazil

Types

Holotype: MZUSP 81726 80.5 mm SL.

Paratypes: MZUSP 81727 42.8mm SL, MCP 31482 47.5mm and 66.7mm SL, MZUSP 81728 47.3mm SL, MCP 31483 59.7mm SL, MZUSP 81729 72.7mm and 75.8mm SL.

Distribution

Known only from the type-locality: A small upper tributary of the Sao Bernardo Riv-er inside the Sao Bernardo Cave, upper Tocantins River, Sao Domingos, State of Goias, Brazil.

Conservation Status

TLO [NE] [EN B2ab(iii).3.1:2011]

Pimelodella spelaea is endemic to Brazil and is known only from the type locality at the Terra Ronca State Park, São Bernardo cave, in São Domingos, Tocantins high river, GO. Despite the great effort of collection, the species is only found in the accessible areas of the São Bernardo cave. It is estimated that the total population size is a few hundred, reaching a maximum of 1,000 individuals. The cave in question presents unordered tourist access and is in the limit of the State Park, which can lead to irreversible disturbances to the environment. In addition, all the river springs that cross the park's cave are located outside the park, in an area with extensive agriculture and monoculture, silting up and polluting the rivers, which can pose a threat to the entire population. The Area of Occupancy (AOO) was calculated at 17.5 km². Considering AOO less than 500 km ², the continuous decline in habitat quality (with the contribution of harmful allochthonous material, especially agrotoxic material), and number of locations ≤ 5, Pimelodella spelaea was categorized as Endangered (EN) by criterion B2ab (iii). Studies are recommended to define the minimum area and the spatial protection limit of the species. [Google Translate].

Key References

Trajano, E, Reis, RE and Bichuette, ME Journal Article 2004 Pimelodella spelaea: A new cave catfish from central Brazil, with data on ecology and evolutionary considerations
Dazzani, B., Garcia, C., Peixoto, M., Trajano, E. and de Almeida-Toledo, L.F. Journal Article 2012 Cytogenetic and molecular analyses in troglobitic and epigean species of Pimelodella (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from Brazil
Trajano, E., Gallao, J.E. and Bichuette, M.E. Journal Article 2016 Spots of high biodiversity of troglobites in Brazil: the challenge of measuring subterranean diversity
Slobodian, V. Thesis 2017 Taxonomic revision of Pimelodella Eigenmann and Eigenmann 1888 (Silutiformes, Heptapteridae): An integrative proposal to delimit species using a multidisciplinary strategy
Gallão, J.E. and Bichuette M.E. Journal Article 2018 Brazilian obligatory subterranean fauna and threats to the hypogean environment
Slobodian, V. and Pastana, M.N.L. Journal Article 2018 Description of a new Pimelodella (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) species with a discussion on the upper pectoral girdle homology of Siluriformes
Bichuette, M.E., Simões, L.B., Zepon, T., von Schimonsky, D.M. and Gallão, J.E. Journal Article 2019 Richness and taxonomic distinctness of cave invertebrates from the northeastern state of Goiás, central Brazil: a vulnerable and singular area
Fernandes, C.S., Batalha, M.A., Bichuette, M.E. Journal Article 2019 Dark diversity in the dark: a new approach to subterranean conservation
Grempel, R.G., Trajano, E. and Visconti, M.A. Journal Article 2020 Regression of dark color in subterranean fishes involves multiple mechanisms: response to hormones and neurotransmitters