A new intertidal arthrotardigrade, Prostygarctus aculeatus gen. nov., sp nov (Tardigrada: Heterotardigrada) from the North of Portugal (Atlantic ocean)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

M Rubal (Author) FCUP; Puri Veiga (Author) Other; Paulo Fontoura (Author) FCUP; Isabel Sousa Pinto (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Limnology

Vol. 72

Pages: 8-14

ISSN: 1129-5767

Publisher: PagePress

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 9 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-C8Z

DOI: 10.4081/jlimnol.2013.s1.e2

Abstract (EN): A new arthrotardigrade, Prostygarctus aculeatus gen. nov., sp. nov. is described from intertidal meiobenthos samples collected at Ofir beach, Esposende, North of Portugal. The new species, an armoured arthrotardigrade of the family Stygarctidae, is easily distinguished from all the other stygarctids by an unusual caudal apparatus, which consists of a very long medial spine with two lateral furca-like processes. It is also characterised by the presence of backwardly directed dorsal spines and a pair of ventral spines. Furthermore, it has four digits on each leg, ending in simple claws. The morphological peculiarities exhibited by the new species justify the establishment of a new genus and will provide useful insights to help develop our understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of armoured arthrotardigrades.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7