Two new species of Hyalella (Amphipoda, Dogielinotidae) from the Humid Chaco ecoregion of Paraguay

The freshwater amphipod genus Hyalella Smith, 1874 is widely distributed in the Neotropics, with several biogeographically restricted species and a high cryptic diversity throughout South America. Tens of species of Hyalella have been documented from nearby Brazil and Argentina, but no systematic record of the genus exists for Paraguay. Here we describe two new species of Hyalella: H. mboitui sp. nov. and H. julia sp. nov. from the Neembucu wetlands of southwestern Paraguay. Hyalella mboitui sp. nov. and H. julia sp. nov. are characterised by a dorsally smooth body, pigmented eyes, uropod 1 endopod with a curved seta, the dorsal margin of uropod 3 ramus without setae, and uropod 3 peduncle longer than wide and with six setae apically. The two species are distinguished by their diagnostic mouthparts, with a median serrated edge on the lacinia mobilis in H. mboitui sp. nov. and two elongated lateral denticles with a serrated edge in H. julia sp. nov., and by the presence of a pronounced cup for the dactylus on gnathopod 2 in H. mboitui sp. nov. In addition, they show differences in the number of articles on antennae 1 and 2, in the relative length of the pereiopods, and in the numbers and types of setae on their gnathopods and uropods 1-3. Hyalella mboitui sp. nov. and H. julia sp. nov. represent the first taxonomically documented occurrence of Paraguayan freshwater amphipods. These new taxa attest to the largely unmapped species richness of freshwater invertebrates in the Humid Chaco of Paraguay. This potential biodiversity hotspot is currently under threat from land conversion, highlighting the need for more systematic studies and effective conservation of the local invertebrate biodiversity.