Lima, Sérgio Maia QueirozVale, Valéria Fonseca2025-04-242025-04-242024-08-28VALE, Valéria Fonseca. Taxonomia dos crustáceos troglóbios (Isopoda, Cirolanidae) e educação ambiental para a conservação do patrimônio espeleológico da Caatinga. Orientador: Dr. Sérgio Maia Queiroz Lima. 2024. 169f. Tese (Doutorado em Sistemática e Evolução) - Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, 2024.https://repositorio.ufrn.br/handle/123456789/63516The isopods of the Cirolanidae family that inhabit the fresh waters of the caves of the Jandaíra Formation, Rio Grande do Norte, in northeastern Brazil, are unique in that they are oceanic relicts. With at least two main lineages coexisting in the region that have not yet been described, this study aimed to describe, through morphological taxonomy, a new genus composed of four allopatric species of troglobitic cirolanids, and to provide information for the conservation of these crustaceans from the Caatinga. This integrative approach involved tools, traditional taxonomy and morphometrics, to delimit these species. We analyzed the physicochemical characteristics of the biotope of the type locality. As an environmental education strategy, we applied semi-structured questionnaires to investigate the perception of elementary school pupils in the vicinity of karst regions about the underground environment and its diversity. This study provides a detailed morphological description of Cirolanidae gen. nov. and its new species, consisting of the more elongated isopods with a wider, torpedo-shaped anterior part. A detailed morphological description is given of these species distributed in four caves and one karst spring, Três Lagos cave and the karst spring of Olho d'Água do Tetéu, Crotes cave, Pedra Lisa and Olho d'Água do Cedro. At the type locality of Três Lagos Cave, the abundance of the species was significantly correlated with oxidation potential, depth, chemical oxygen demand and pH. Environmental awareness was significant among the students in relation to the living beings that inhabit caves, but awareness of the importance of conservation measures for caves and their invertebrates was significantly altered. In this way, the inclusion of activities such as visits could help to change students' perceptions and weaken the negative perception of caves and invertebrates.Acesso AbertoCrustaceaCavernasFormação JandaíradoctoralThesisCNPQ::CIENCIAS BIOLOGICAS