Species conservation profiles of cave-adapted terrestrial isopods from Portugal

Abstract

Terrestrial isopods (Oniscidea) are the most diverse group of troglobionts in caves of continental Portugal. They occur in all karst regions of Portugal, play a major role in decomposition of organic matter in caves and may act as umbrella species for the conservation of all other cave-adapted invertebrates.We present the IUCN Red List profiles for the cave-adapted terrestrial isopods from continental Portugal, based on recent distribution data from caves.

Keywords

• Oniscidea
• subterranean habitats
• troglobiont
• cav