Estado de conservação e dados de distribuição da fauna troglóbia brasileira com propostas de áreas prioritárias para proteção

Abstract

In this paper, we analyzed the Brazilian subterranean fauna, in relation to the actual conservation status, considering the knowledge of its biodiversity, threats to the conservation of this environment and the current legislation relevant to our speleological heritage. The work was divided into chapters, for publication purposes. In chapter I, we present faunal lists of Brazilian troglobitic species (with formal descriptions and not yet described, totaling a minimum of 252 species), their distributions, besides the main causes of destruction / threat of subterranean realm. Still, we propose the Serra do Ramalho, southwestern Bahia state, as a priority area for conservation, since the pressure mining and other factors could decimate the caves of this region biologically important. In chapter II, we discuss about the difficulties of species inclusion in the Red List, and its effective protection, with a case study of Brazilian troglobitic fishes. Problems such as the taxonomic impediment, geographical variations and inclusion only of binomials (Genus species) are discussed. In chapter III, we elected a new hotspot for neotropical subterranean fauna, quartzitic caves from Igatu, in the center region of Chapada Diamantina, central Bahia state. In addition, we tested one of the items of the Instrução Normativa No. 2 of Decreto 6640, which legislates about environmental impact studies of Brazilian caves and we demonstrate that there is not any protectionist law for our subterranean environment.