Diversity of Crustacean Aeglids of the Tietê River Watershed, Southeastern Brazil
Two new species of Aegla, one of the most endangered groups of freshwater crustaceans, have been discovered in southeastern Brazil. Aegla tamanduatei and Aegla curucutu live in small streams in the headwaters of the Tietê River, in São Paulo State. These anomuran decapods were identified through their distinct physical features and genetic data, which also confirmed they are closely related. The discovery highlights the rich, yet still largely unexplored, biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most threatened biomes in the world. These findings represent an important step toward understanding and protecting Brazil's hidden freshwater wildlife.
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