A laboratory strain identified as "Hypsibius dujardini" is one of the best studied tardigrade strains: it widely used a model organism in variety research projects, ranging from developmental and evolutionary biology through physiology anatomy to astrobiology. Hypsibius dujardini, originally described Île-de-France by Doyère first half 19th century, now nominal species for superfamily Hypsibioidea. The was traditionally considered cosmopolitan despite fact that insufficient, old sometimes...

In this paper we describe Macrobiotus paulinae, a new species of the hufelandi group from Kenyan highlands. addition to traditional taxonomic description, aided with morphometrics as well light and scanning microscopy imaging, also provide nucleotide sequences three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S ITS-2) one mitochondrial (COI) DNA fragment species. The allowed not only more accurate description but provided an independent verification status Ma. paulinae sp. nov. Such integrative approach requires...

In this paper we describe Macrobiotus papei, a new species of the hufelandi complex from Udzungwa Mountains National Park in Tanzania. Our research included traditional morphology-based taxonomic analysis, supported by morphometrics, light and scanning electron microscopy imaging, as well analysis nucleotide sequences three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S ITS-2) one mitochondrial (COI) marker. The molecular provided more accurate description independent verification status M. papei sp. nov. Such...

A population of Ramazzottius subanomalus (Biserov, 1985) was found in a moss sample collected from concrete wall Poznań, western Poland. Animals were prepared for light and scanning electron microscopy DNA sequencing to provide an integrative description the species that originally described only by means classical alpha taxonomy. As result our studies, we first ever SEM photomicrographs individuals their buccal apparatuses. Additionally, present new sequences as well morphometric data R....

In a mixed moss and lichen sample collected in Esmeraldas Province north-western Ecuador, 20 tardigrades 11 eggs, belonging to new species of the genus Mesobiotus, were found. addition traditional taxonomic description with morphometrics, light scanning microscopy imaging, we also provide nucleotide sequences three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S ITS-2) one mitochondrial (COI) DNA fragments species. Based on egg chorion morphology, Mesobiotus romani sp. nov. is most similar to: M. binieki, coronatus,...

Outdated and inaccurate original descriptions of species nominal for genera or complexes give birth to notorious difficulties in identification often translate into erroneous classifications multiple as one. This, turn, results severe overestimations specific geographic ranges ultimately underestimations the diversity organisms living on our planet. Tardigrades, ubiquitous microscopic metazoans exhibiting relatively few taxonomically useful traits, bear many such problematic species. In this...

In this paper we describe two new tardigrade species belonging to the Macrobiotus hufelandi complex: noongaris sp. nov. from Perth, Australia, and kamilae Mussoorie, India. Live specimens extracted moss samples were used establish laboratory cultures in order obtain additional animals eggs needed for their integrative descriptions. These descriptions are based on traditional morphological morphometric data collected using both light scanning electron microscopy, which, at same time,...

Given the constantly growing number of described tardigrade species and scarcity taxonomically meaningful morphological characters that these microinvertebrates exhibit, in many cases morphometric traits are primary or even only means classic differentiation, especially between closely related taxa. However, validity comparisons is contingent on assumption mounting does not significantly affect dimensions traits, meaning specimens mounted different microscope slides may be compared with...

In a moss and lichen sample collected on the Polish coast, new population of Macrobiotus sottilei was found. Given that original description M. based solely morphology observed under light microscopy measurements few individuals, we provide, by means integrative taxonomy, revisional note this species. We present comprehensive set morphometric morphological data from scanning electron analysis together with nucleotide sequences three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S ITS-2) one mitochondrial (COI) DNA...

We report the results of a faunistic survey focused on freshwater and limno-terrestrial meiofauna to improve biodiversity knowledge in protected area Eastern part French Pyrénées: Massane Forest Reserve (336 Ha). The provided 1187 occurrence records from 315 taxa (most resoved at species-level), uploaded as shared online dataset. highest number occurrences distinguishable morpho-taxon belong group Nematoda (775 occurrences, 172 taxa), followed by Rotifera (219 67 Platyhelminthes (85 32...

In this paper we describe Macrobiotus canaricus sp. nov., a new tardigrade species of the hufelandi group from Canary Islands. Moreover, with use DNA sequencing, confirm that recens Cuénot, 1932 represents group, even though eggs laid by do not exhibit typical morphology. Our study is based on both classical taxonomic methods include morphological and morphometric analyses conducted light scanning electron microscopy, analysis nucleotide sequences four molecular markers (three nuclear: 18S...

From a moss sample collected in the Manabí Province Ecuador, we extracted 96 specimens of new species eutardigrade. No eggs were found. In order to obtain eggs, an vitro culture was prepared. total, 136 (including ten simplex), one exuvia and 44 two with embryos) obtained. addition traditional taxonomic description morphometrics, light scanning microscopy imaging, also provide nucleotide sequences three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S ITS-2) mitochondrial (COI) DNA fragments species. Macrobiotus...

Tardigrades constituting the order Parachela are characterised by a generally uniform, worm-like external morphology. Taxa with larger, well-pronounced dorsal cuticular protuberances, tubercles and spines found in seven genera representing various evolutionary lineages within Hypsibioidea Isohypsibioidea: Calohypsibius Thulin, 1928 (Calohypsibiidae), Fractonotus Pilato, 1998 (Microhypsibiidae), Ramazzottius Binda & 1986 (Ramazzottiidae), Hypsibius Ehrenberg, 1848 Pilatobius Bertolani,...

Tardigrade taxonomy is based largely on classical methodology, with morphological and morphometric traits being most often the sole basis for species delineation identification. However, despite over 1200 described tardigrade species, so far there have been no studies estimating sample size that would allow confident interpretation of dimensions taxonomically important characters. We defined such optimal as a minimal number structures need to be measured in order result mean range are not...

A new species of the Mesobiotus harmsworthi group is described from Datanla Waterfall amusement park in Lâm Đồng Province, Vietnam. An integrative taxonomy approach was applied, by combining morphological and morphometric analyses using light contract microscopy (LCM)) scanning electron (SEM) with genetic analysis (18S rRNA, 28S ITS-2 COI markers), to cross-verify status newly discovered population as a species. By presence fully developed areolation around egg processes bases well oral...

In this paper we describe Macrobiotus engbergi sp. nov. and Tenuibiotus zandrae from Greenland. Our study has involved both classical taxonomic methods, which include morphological morphometric analyses conducted with the use of light scanning electron microscopy, genetic analysis based on four molecular markers (three nuclear: 18S rRNA, 28S ITS-2, one mitochondrial: COI). Moreover, re-examined type series voronkovi (Tumanov, 2007) as well original sample where species was found provide new...

The genus Minibiotus is morphologically diverse, which may suggest its polyphyletic character. However, scarce genetic data and often also the lack of detailed morphological currently do not allow for verification relationships within this genus. Here, very first time, we provide an integrative description a new species. ioculator sp. nov. from Republic South Africa differs other congeners mainly by egg ornamentation with processes on shell that resemble hat royal jester. We taxonomic...

In this paper we describe a new apochelan species, Milnesium variefidum sp. nov. from Scotland and provide novel morphological molecular data for berladnicorum Ciobanu et al ., 2014. The species differs the most similar M . by presence of developmental dimorphism in claw configuration, absent or weakly developed cuticular bars under claws I-III, different arrangement pseudoplates, differences sequences three nuclear DNA fragments: 18S rRNA (p-distance: 0.6%), 28S (2.0%), ITS-2 (9.3%), on...

Isohypsibioidea are most likely the basally branching evolutionary lineage of eutardigrades. Despite being second largest eutardigrade order, phylogenetic relationships and systematics within this group remain largely unresolved. Broad taxon sampling, especially one speciose tardigrade genera, Isohypsibius Thulin, 1928, application both comparative morphological methods (light contrast scanning electron microscopy imaging external morphology buccal apparatuses) framework (18S + 28S r RNA...

Intraspecific variability of tardigrades is a poorly investigated field. The great majority tardigrade species were described using single populations, sometimes even individuals. Moreover, intraspecific between multiple, integratively verified populations has never been for any species. In this study, we analyzed morphological, morphometric, and genetic nine European Milnesium tardigradum, one the first that until recently was thought to be cosmopolitan. We found M. tardigradum exhibited...

The family Macrobiotidae is one of the most speciose and diverse groups among tardigrades. Although there have been attempts to reconstruct phylogeny this family, evolutionary relationships within are only superficially determined as available genetic data cover a small fraction vast group. Here, we present first extensive molecular based on four markers (18S rRNA, 28Sr RNA, ITS-2 COI) associated with detailed morphological for majority taxa. phylogenetic analysis includes nearly two hundred...

The tardigrade genus Acutuncus has been long thought to be an Antarctic endemism, well adapted this harsh environment. endemicity of was recently dispelled with the description mariae Zawierucha, 2020 found in Svalbard archipelago. integrated analyses on two newly populations from UK and Italy, a population antarcticus close its type locality allowed us expand climatic geographic range Acutuncus. These findings also re-evaluate morphological diagnoses accommodate it proposed monotypic family...

Despite advances in molecular systematics, the taxonomy of tardigrades still depends largely on morphological and morphometric traits. The fact that variability any biological trait is determined by interaction between genetics environment prompts a very fundamental question: it possible for same genotype, but originating from various habitats differ environmental conditions, to have phenotypes so different they would be erroneously classified as species taxa means classical taxonomy? Here,...

The family Echiniscidae comprises limno-terrestrial heterotardigrades with a strongly sclerotised dorsum, typically covered plates. Among other members of the Echiniscus evolutionary line, genus Testechiniscus Kristensen, 1987 stands out well-developed ventral armature and polygonal sculpturing dorsal It has alleged bipolar distribution (with satellite alpine records in Holarctic). Thanks to fresh material from terra typica (Svalbard), we integratively redescribe (i.e. using light electron...

The Mesobiotus harmsworthi group has a global distribution, with localities in polar, temperate and tropical zones. Since the first species of was described beginning 20th century, tens new within were found named. However, diagnosis nominal is insufficient enigmatic, thus it can be serious obstacle solving taxonomy this group. Here, we integratively redescribe for genus Mesobiotus, i.e., clarify taxonomic statuses two subspecies: M. obscurus that have been recognised as distinct taxa more...