Scientists seek to protect 1mm insect found in a single cave in Brazil

A one-millimeter insect with six legs and no eyes can only be found inside a single cave in Pará state, North Brazil. Brazilian scientists are working to preserve this critically endangered insect, the Troglobius brasiliensis. The little critter is harmless to humans and still lacks a popular name.

During the expeditions in the 1,500-long cave, scientists have to crouch for hours in search of the insect. But efforts to protect the insect in the Limoeiro cave, in Medicilândia, go beyond cave walls and include raising awareness among local communities.

“These bugs exist, have the right to continue existing, and are closely associated with the process of nutrient cycling in the cave soil,” said Professor Douglas Zeppelini from the State University of Paraíba (UEPB). First recorded 25 years ago, the animal feeds on debris and transforms decomposing organic matter, thus preserving the richness of the soil, he reported.

The initiative to protect the Troglobius brasiliensis comes as part of the Territorial Action Plan for the Conservation of Endangered Species in the Xingu Territory (PAT Xingu in the original), and is being carried out by researchers from the project Pro-Species: Everyone Against Extinction.

The campaign is coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change and aims to address threats and help conserve at least 290 species categorized as critically endangered.

“In recent expeditions, we’ve managed to collect new data on this species. We’ve noticed that the animal is part of a food chain of organisms. Imagine that all the individuals of the entire species inhabit a single spot.”

The cave is said to be well preserved, and taken care of by farm owners. “We feel privileged after these discoveries, as the farm is well preserved,” farmer Rosane Gotardo noted. She hopes that the people in the region will be better informed and more resources will be available to protect the site.

Brazil boasts some 23,500 registered and known caves, compared to an estimated 150 thousand - IDEFLOR-Bio/PAT Xingu

Public policies

Professor Douglas Zeppelini advocates the creation of a conservation unit there, taking into account that the landowners are helping preserve the region. “We collected the material in three expeditions,” he declared. He also stood up for public policies to protect endangered animals.

The scholar pointed out that, in addition to the Troglobius brasiliensis, the researchers found a predatory pseudo-scorpion. This shows, he added, that the cave’s ecosystem is functioning perfectly. “Two species occupy different levels of the food chain,” he added.

PAT Xingu Coordinator Nívia Pereira also argues it is necessary to spread the word about the endangered species to change their reality, which includes sharing their stories with different audiences. “Raising awareness or sensitizing the community is among the objectives. We noticed that the Limoeiro cave, of all the caves we visited, has the best preserved surroundings. There’s fauna coming in and out of the cave.”

Pereira also explained that PAT Xingu faces a number of difficulties, including deforestation, the expansion of agricultural activities, and illegal mining in the areas surveyed. “The plan encompasses eight species and we’ve already had very interesting results.” In addition to the expeditions, the researchers’ priority is environmental education for children.

Biologist Tayane Accordi, from Medicilândia’s Environment Department, argues that the partnership with the PAT Xingu plan is crucial for the city, as it should help protect the species in the city, with an emphasis on the Troglobius, the animal with the most vulnerable circumstances. “We promote environmental education campaigns in schools and will soon be implementing some of the plan’s goals,” she declared.

Brazil boasts some 23,500 registered and known caves, compared to an estimated 150 thousand - IDEFLOR-Bio/PAT Xingu

Sustainable tourism

In the view of environmental analyst Daniel Mendonça, from the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMbio), active in cave research and conservation, there could be tourist interest in regions like this.

The logic is simple, he claimed: by ensuring visibility for the animals, there could be a greater interest in conservation. “More caves could have plans for sustainable tourism.” The facilities have costs, such as staircases, ramps, and other structures, but they must be planned, he went on to say.

Mendonça noted that the Brazilian Constitution considers caves to be federal property and that they should be given maximum protection. As it stands today, Brazil boasts some 23,500 registered and known caves, compared to an estimated 150 thousand.

“The more we map, the greater the chance of protecting them too. In fact, it’s inadvisable to enter a cave that you don’t know yourself. It’s always a risky environment,” he warned.