Wild Blonde Capuchins (Sapajus flavius) Perform Anointing Behaviour Using Toxic Secretions of a Millipede (Spirobolida: Rhinocricidae).

Defensive secretions of millipedes are remarkable for containing toxic quinones known to efficiently repell hematophagous arthropods. Here we show that Endangered blonde capuchin monkeys make use of such secretions. We (i) describe the anointing behavior performed by the monkeys (ii) identify the millipede species used in the process (iii) describe the volatile chemical composition of its secretion. The blonde capuchin monkeys selectively searched for millipedes hidden under the ground. We observed three bouts of anointing behavior, performed by 13 individuals of all age classes (from adults to independent infants), both solitarily (1 event) and socially (10 events). The only millipede species used by the monkeys is an undescribed species of the genus Poecilocricus (Spirobolida, Rhinocricidae). The volatile chemical composition of the secretions was predominantly comprised of a mixture of benzoquinones and hydroquinones. The social nature of the behavior and time of the observations (mosquito season), suggest that social bonding and mosquito avoidance is linked to the anointing behavior of the monkeys.

Why be red listed? Threatened Myriapoda species in Brazil with implications for their conservation.

The biodiversity crisis we live in, marked by high extinction rates, requires well-planned conservation efforts. To overcome this issue, red lists of threatened species are recognized as the main objective approach for evaluating the conservation status of species and therefore guiding conservation priorities. This work focuses on the Myriapoda (Chilopoda and Diplopoda) species listed in the Brazilian red list of fauna to enable discussion of the practical implications of red lists for conservation. Almost all myriapods assessed are endemic to Brazil (99 %) and 73 % are known from subterranean habitats only. Despite of 33 % being recorded from protected areas (PAs), downgrading, degazettement or downsizing of PAs and intense and unregulated ecotourism represent great threats. The PAs network in Brazil tends to fail in conserving myriapod species. The number of data deficient species (42 %) states the need of investing in ecological and taxonomic studies about the group, in order to fill in important knowledge gaps in species assessments nationally and globally. In this work we show that there is a lack of communication between national and global agencies concerning red lists, which results in a significant loss for science and for conservation. Despite investing in national and state red lists, individual countries must take the final step of submitting its data to IUCN global database, as significant international funding is available for IUCN red listed species conservation. Being one of the most diverse countries in the world, and facing the biggest cuts ever on national science funding, losing these important funding opportunities is a huge loss for Brazilian biodiversity conservation and for science. This study raises awareness on subterranean habitats conservation, due to its high endemism and fragility. Since the first edition of the Brazilian Red List in 1968, centipedes are now included for the first time, and millipedes for the second time. The presence of these myriapods in the list brings attention to the group, which usually receives little or no attention in conservation programs and environmental impact assessments. Rather than a specific case for Myriapoda and for Brazil, the points discussed here can be related to arthropods and the tropics, as the most biodiverse countries are emerging economies facing similar challenges in PAs network management, species extinction risks and science funding.

A review of Newportia species in the subgenus Newportides Chamberlin, 1921 (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopocryptopidae, Newportiinae).

Five Newportia species with a claw-shaped pretarsus of the ultimate legs are revised. Newportia amazonica Brolemann, 1904, N. unguifer Chamberlin, 1921, and N. pilosa González-Sponga, 1997 are redescribed; N. tetraspinae González-Sponga, 1997 is considered to be a junior synonym of N. unguifer, and N. guaiquinimensis González-Sponga, 2000 is considered to be a junior synonym of N. pilosa. All synonyms proposed are based on the structure of ultimate legs. The subgenus Newportides is revalidated based on the presence of claw-shaped pretarsus of ultimate legs.

A synopsis of centipedes in Brazilian caves: hidden species diversity that needs conservation (Myriapoda, Chilopoda).

This study revises centipede fauna found in Brazilian caves, focusing on troglomorphic taxa and emphasizing conservation status. We present 563 centipede specimens from 274 caves across eleven Brazilian states. Of these, 22 records were derived from existing literature and 252 are newly collected. Specimens represent four orders, ten families, 18 genera, and 47 morphospecies. Together, the cave records represent 21 % of Brazil's centipede fauna. Scolopendromorpha was the most representative order (41 %), followed by Geophilomorpha (26 %), Scutigeromorpha (23 %), and Lithobiomorpha (10 %). Six species were found only in caves, with four considered troglobitic. The distribution of Cryptops iporangensis, the first Brazilian troglobitic centipede species to be discovered, was expanded to other three caves. Cryptops spelaeoraptor and Cryptops iporangensis are two troglobitic species considered Vulnerable and Endangered, respectively, according to the IUCN Red List. Main threats to Brazilian caves are mining, hydroelectric projects, water pollution, and unregulated tourism.

Myriapod (Arthropoda, Myriapoda) diversity and distribution in a floodplain forest of the Brazilian Pantanal

This study presents the diversity and distribution of myriapod species associated with different habitats in a seasonally flooded forest composed predominantly of Vochysia divergens Pohl. (Vochysiaceae) in the Brazilian Pantanal. We evaluated species richness distribution across habitats and over different seasonal periods, and also identified possible survival strategies employed during periodic flooding that occur within this forest. A total of 1505myriapods were sampled, representing four classes and 15 species. Diplopoda and Chilopoda were the most abundant and rich taxa. Pauropoda and Symphyla were represented by only one species each. Species richness was distinctly distributed across habitats evaluated in this forest, as well as over the different seasonal periods. Survival strategies observed in Diplopoda and Chilopoda were primarily associated with vertical migration ranging from the edaphic environment to tree trunks and canopies, and horizontal migration associated with water level before and during the flood period. Species richness was considered low; however, the survival strategies, especially vertical and horizontal migration, demonstrate the adaptation of these species to the seasonal floods of this ecosystem.

Myriapod (Arthropoda, Myriapoda) diversity and distribution in a floodplain forest of the Brazilian Pantanal

This study presents the diversity and distribution of myriapod species associated with different habitats in a seasonally flooded forest composed predominantly of Vochysia divergens Pohl. (Vochysiaceae) in the Brazilian Pantanal. We evaluated species richness distribution across habitats and over different seasonal periods, and also identified possible survival strategies employed during periodic flooding that occur within this forest. A total of 1505myriapods were sampled, representing four classes and 15 species. Diplopoda and Chilopoda were the most abundant and rich taxa. Pauropoda and Symphyla were represented by only one species each. Species richness was distinctly distributed across habitats evaluated in this forest, as well as over the different seasonal periods. Survival strategies observed in Diplopoda and Chilopoda were primarily associated with vertical migration ranging from the edaphic environment to tree trunks and canopies, and horizontal migration associated with water level before and during the flood period. Species richness was considered low; however, the survival strategies, especially vertical and horizontal migration, demonstrate the adaptation of these species to the seasonal floods of this ecosystem.

A systematic appraisal of the types of ten species of Otostigmus (Parotostigmus) (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae, Otostigminae).

The type material of O. brunneus Chamberlin, 1921, O. casus Chamberlin, 1914, O. clavifer Chamberlin, 1921, O. cooperi Chamberlin, 1942, O. occidentalis Meinert, 1886, O. rex Chamberlin, 1914, O. samacus Chamberlin, 1944, O. scabricauda (Humbert & Saussure, 1870), O. suitius Chamberlin, 1914, and O. therezopolis Chamberlin, 1944, are revised. The types of O. casus, O. cooperi, O. occidentalis, O. rex, O. samacus, O. scabricauda, and O. therezopolis are illustrated for the first time. Among the species examined, O. clavifer, O. occidentalis, O. scabricauda, O. suitius, O. caudatus Brölemann, 1902 and O. pococki Kraepelin, 1903 are still valid. Otostigmus casus, O. rex, and O. samacus are considered junior synonyms of O. suitius; O. brunneus is a junior synonym of O. clavifer; O. therezopolis is a junior synonym of O. caudatus and O. cooperi is a junior synonym of O. pococki. Diagnoses for the valid species are given.

A new species of Scolopocryptops Newport: a troglobitic scolopocryptopine centipede from a remarkable siliciclastic area of eastern Brazil (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopocryptopidae, Scolopocryptopinae).

We describe Scolopocryptopstroglocaudatus sp. n., a new troglobitic scolopocryptopine centipede species. The species was found in a remarkable siliciclastic karst area of Eastern Brazil, in three caves of the Chapada da Diamantina, in the state of Bahia. Scolopocryptopstroglocaudatus sp. n. is close to Scolopocryptopsmiersii Newport, 1845 and Scolopocryptopsferrugineusmacrodon (Kraepelin, 1903) but differs from them by troglomorphic features, such as depigmentation, long appendages and a thin cuticle. This new species is the second troglobitic scolopocryptopine described and is the first discovered in Brazil.

The centipedes (Arthropoda, Myriapoda, Chilopoda) from Colombia: Part I. Scutigeromorpha and Scolopendromorpha.

This study presents an updated list of centipedes of the orders Scutigeromorpha and Scolopendromorpha from Colombia based on data from the literature, the World Catalogue of Centipedes (CHILOBASE), and specimens examined in museum collections. Four families, nine genera, 37 species and four subspecies are listed. One species belongs to Scutigeromorpha, and 36 species and four subspecies to Scolopendromorpha. Eleven species and four subspecies of scolopendromorphs are recorded for the first time from Colombia. Newportia Gervais, 1847 is the most diverse genus with 12 species and three subspecies. Six species of Scolopendromorpha are endemic. Three species-Otostigmus inermis Porat, 1876, O. scabricauda (Humbert & Saussure, 1870) and Cryptops iheringi Brölemann, 1902-are deleted from the fauna of Colombia. The Andean Región in Colombia has the most records of Scutigeromorpha and Scolopendromorpha. Maps showing the geographical distribution are given for the orders, genera, and some species.