Cryptops hephaestus

Conservation. Cryptops hephaestus occur in caves that are within iron mining areas, severely threatening the species. Urgent conservation action (e. g., monitoring cave fauna) is therefore necessary. The species has not been included in the latest Red List of Brazilian Threatened Fauna (MMA 2016).

Distribution. Cryptops hephaestus is known from three iron ore caves of the " Quadrilatero Ferrifero " (Iron Quadrangle) in Minas Gerais, one in Mariana municipality and the other two in Itabirito municipality. The latter two caves are close to each other, whereas the former is at least 50 km away. Here, we identified six more specimens from five caves of the Itabirito region. These new records and distributional data (see below) strongly suggest that C. hephaestus inhabits areas outside the caves or are present in other caves near the two municipalities. Indeed, the species has no marked troglomorphic traits and should be considered troglophilic.

Material examined. Itabirito (" Canga " - heterogeneous flora), Iron Ore: Gruta VL 11, Gruta VL 14, all in Mina Varzea do Lopes, (MNRJ) 1 spec, 18 - 25. iv. 2007, Andrade, R.; Gruta VL 13, Mina Varzea do Lopes, (MNRJ) 2 spec, 18 - 25. iv. 2007, Andrade, R.; Gruta VL 31, Gruta VL 32, all in Mina Varzea do Lopes, (MNRJ) 1 spec, 3 - 20. xi. 2007, Andrade, R.