The invertebrate fauna of the sandstone caves of the Cape Peninsula (South Africa): patterns of endemism and conservation priorities

摘要: The temperate sandstone caves of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, support 85 cavernicolous invertebrate species across six phyla. Six these, including two blind and depigmented insects (Dermaptera) spiders (Araneae: Hahniidae) were previously unknown. Twenty-one are endemic to Peninsula. Thirteen these presumed troglobitic Gondwanan relicts, highly specialized, phylogenetically unique, rare with restricted distributions specialized habitat requirements. According criteria listed in IUCN Red List Categories (1994), onychophoran Peripatopsis alba crustacean Spelaeogriphus lepidops should be considered Critically Endangered, their extents occurrence being less than 100 km2. Furthermore, Data Deficient species, such as freshwater shrimps Protojanira leleupi Paramelita barnardi, spider Hahnia sp.nov., earwig Dermaptera sp.nov. centipede Cryptops stupendus, likely additional Endangered on account exceptional rarity or distributions. remaining cavernicoles limited (extent <5000 km2). Therefore, conservation considerations clearly an urgent priority appropriate recommendations provided. Management-orientated research, long-term population monitoring pseudokarst areas, requirements for threatened evolutionary relicts isolated island-like habitats.