A new stygobiotic Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 (Asellota: Stenasellidae) from Socotra Island, Yemen

Researchers have identified a new species of stygobiotic isopod, Stenasellus taitii, from Socotra Island's caves, marking the first endemic stenasellid discovery in the archipelago. This finding highlights morphological affinities with Middle Eastern species (Oman, Iran), aligning with Socotra's paleogeographical ties to Southern Arabia rather than the African mainland. The study, published in Zootaxa, contributes to our understanding of Socotran groundwater biodiversity and emphasizes the importance of protecting these unique subterranean habitats.

MESSANA, G., VAN DAMME, K., & ARGANO, R. (2019). A new stygobiotic Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 (Asellota: Stenasellidae) from Socotra Island, Yemen. Zootaxa, 4683(4). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4683.4.5