Morphological and molecular evidence for a new species of the genus Milnesium Doy`ere, 1840 (Tardigrada: Apochela) from south America

Autor(es)

Brotto-Guidetti, Emiliana ; Morek, Witold ; Garraffoni, Andre R. S.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER; v. 309, p. 11-pg., 2024-02-08.

Resumo

Tardigrades are aquatic microinvertebrates, that can be found from the poles to the tropical regions. However, knowledge about their diversity and distribution is still limited, especially regarding the Neotropical region. In addition, many species described in the past were considered cosmopolitan but new morphological, morphometric and especially molecular studies have demonstrated the existence of species complexes. The species Milnesium tardigradum Doye`re, 1840 is an example that highlights this issue. Many M. tardigradum records made in South America date from the time when this species was considered cosmopolitan and exhibiting large intraspecific variability. However, current revisions of the genus using modern techniques indicate that the M. tardigradum sensu stricto is most likely restricted to the Palaearctic region. In this contribution, we describe a new species, Milnesium iniquum sp. nov. from south-eastern Brazil, with additional records from Argentina and French Guiana, utilising integrative taxonomy framework. The new species is characterised by having smooth cuticle, presence of dorsal pseudoplates, adult claw configuration [3-3]-[3-3] and [2-2]-[2-2] in hatchlings (early positive CC change), with internal and anterior spurs larger than external and posterior spurs and by presence of short cuticular bars on legs IV. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/23856-0 - Reconstrução filogenética de Gastrotricha baseada em dados moleculares e morfológicos
• Beneficiário: André Rinaldo Senna Garraffoni
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 18/25213-0 - Taxonomia integrativa: combinando múltiplas abordagens para melhor delimitação das espécies sul-americanas do gênero Milnesium Doyère 1840 (Tardigrada: Apochela: Milnesiidae)
• Beneficiário: Emiliana Brotto Guidetti
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica
• Processo FAPESP: 18/10313-0 - Consolidação de coleções científicas de invertebrados marinhos: estratégias para conservação da biodiversidade
• Beneficiário: Antonia Cecília Zacagnini Amaral
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Temático