High diversity in the Pseudechiniscus suillus–facettalis complex (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae) with remarks on the morphology of the genus Pseudechiniscus

Abstract Pseudechiniscus is a morphologically homogeneous genus of tardigrades. The morphological features commonly used for species discrimination in this genus are the dorsal sculpture, the shape and number of dorsal plates and trunk appendages. Species of the Pseudechiniscus suillus–facettalis co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zoological journal of the Linnean Society 2020-03, Vol.188 (3), p.733-752
Main Authors: Grobys, Daria, Roszkowska, Milena, Gawlak, Magdalena, Kmita, Hanna, Kepel, Andrzej, Kepel, Marta, Parnikoza, Ivan, Bartylak, Tomasz, Kaczmarek, Łukasz
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal morphology
Appendages
Hemispheres
Microorganisms
Morphology
Morphometry
Population studies
Populations
Pseudechiniscus
Pseudechiniscus suillus
Sculpture
Species
Statuary
Tardigrada
Taxonomy
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Summary:Abstract Pseudechiniscus is a morphologically homogeneous genus of tardigrades. The morphological features commonly used for species discrimination in this genus are the dorsal sculpture, the shape and number of dorsal plates and trunk appendages. Species of the Pseudechiniscus suillus–facettalis complex are one of the most challenging tardigrades to identify. All species are similar in their general appearance and all lack trunk appendages. Moreover, not only the nominal Pseudechiniscus suillus, but also other members of the suillus–facettalis complex have been insufficiently described. In our study, we examined several populations from the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres that could be traditionally attributed to Pse. suillus. These populations were analysed using integrative taxonomy – a combination of classical morphology and morphometry with molecular data. Besides the differences in the dorsal sculpture and morphometry, we also found species-specific differences in ventral sculpture, which were originally used for discrimination of Pseudechiniscus species. Moreover, we provide an extensive discussion on all morphological and morphometric differences used in Pseudechiniscus taxonomy and indicate main taxonomic problems with this genus. Finally, we redescribe the nominal Pse. suillus from Italy.
ISSN:0024-4082
1096-3642
DOI:10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz171