THE CAVERNICOLOUS FAUNA OF HAWAIIAN LAVA TUBES, 2. TWO NEW GENERA AND SPECIES OF BLIND ISOPOD CRUSTACEANS

Abstract: Two species of blind, pigmentless isopods are described from three different locations on the Hawaiian Island chain. They are inhabitants of lava tubes which are the caves of the Hawaiian Islands. Each species is described in a separate genus because they are widely different morphologically. The species, perhaps imported with soil, are most likely not endemic to the islands. Notes on other species are included. Specimens of blind isopods collected from 4 islands of the Hawaiian chain—Hawaii, Kauai, Oahu and Maui—were sent to me for identification by Mr Francis G. Howarth of Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. The blind species were included with many species of terrestrial isopods which were with 1 exception, not especially modified for life in the dark cave-like lava tubes where they were collected. The single exception was a collection of Trichoniscus pusillus Brandt caught by J. Jacobi and F. G. Howarth on 24 April 1972, on a rotting tree root in the dark zone of Hamakua Forest Reserve Cave (600 m alt.) (BBM 00778). The specimens were white, not wine red the usual color; they were not completely modified for cave life since 3 conspicuous, black ocelli, the normal number, were present. Vandel (1960: 313) gives information on modificatio