Macrobiotus noemiae sp. nov., a new tardigrade species (Macrobiotidae: hufelandi group) from Spain

Authors: MILENA ROSZKOWSKA, LUKASZ KACZMAREK

Abstract: A reexamination of the tardigrade collection from the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN) in Madrid was carried out. Specimens from the genera Milnesium, Macrobiotus, and Paramacrobiotus were verified in order to provide their correct identification and 15 taxa were identified. Moreover, a list of corrected species identifications from MNCN is provided. Fourteen specimens and 16 eggs, identified previously as Macrobiotus recens, were attributed to a species new for science. Macrobiotus noemiae sp. nov. is most similar to Mac. naskreckii and Mac. recens but it differs from them by details of egg morphology, mainly by the presence of thin flexible filaments on the tops of egg processes.

Keywords: Europe, Eutardigrada, systematics, Tardigrada, taxonomy, water bears

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