Remnants of an ancient world: three new genera and three new species of Calabozoidea isopods from Brazilian semi-arid caves (Crustacea: Isopoda)

Newly discovered cave-restricted species found within the Jandaíra karst formation in Rio Grande do Norte state, northeastern Brazil, have unveiled three new calabozoid species. To accommodate their unique differences based in the shape of the head shield, the pleon morphology, and the pleopods exopod shape, the genera Oiticicarcinia n. gen., Itararecarcinia n. gen., and Poicarcinia n. gen. were established. Specifically, Oiticicarcinia epikarstica n. sp. was discovered in cave epikarst pools within Felipe Guerra municipality, while Itararecarcinia yapyra n. sp. was found in two karst resurgence caves along the Apodi-Mossoró River in Governador Dix-Sept Rosado municipality. Additionally, Poicarcinia jandairensis n. sp. was identified in Jandaíra municipality. This study presents detailed descriptions of these new genera and associated species, complemented by ecological insights, habitat descriptions, and conservation status.