Abstract
A new species of the previously monospecific marine tardigrade family Neostygarctidae is described. Neostygarctus lovedeluxe n. sp. was found from a submarine cave in Miyako Islands, Japan. This is the first record of Neostygarctidae from the Pacific. The new species is easily distinguished from the previously known N. acanthophorus by its number of dorsal spines, as N. lovedeluxe has two spines each on the three dorsal body plates in contrast to one in N. acanthophorus. Furthermore the morphology of the two clawed juvenile is reported for the first time in Neostygarctidae, providing new insights into the common sequence in some ontogenic traits.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 414-419 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Zoological Science |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 May 1 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Miyako Islands
- Tardigrada
- meiobenthos
- phylogeny
- submarine cave
- taxonomy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Animal Science and Zoology