<i>Ramazzottius thulini</i> (Pilato, 1970) <i>bona</i> species and description of <i>Ramazzottius libycus</i> sp. nov. (Eutardigrada, Ramazzottidae)

Abstract

Comparing the type series of Ramazzottius thulini with specimens of Ramazzottius oberhaeuseri, from the locus typicus, we confirmed there are morphological and metric differences between these two species. This evidence convinced us that R. thulini should be considered a bona species. A new species, Ramazzottius libycus sp. nov., is also described. Ramazzottius libycus sp. nov. differs from R. oberhaeuseri in having more slender internal claws I-III and anterior claws IV, and other metric differences relative to all claws. The new species differs from R. thulini in details of the cuticular ornamentation, stylet supports inserted on the buccal tube in a slightly more caudal position, internal claws slightly different in shape, and some metric differences relative to all claws. It appears R. thulini and R. libycus sp. nov. are sibling species of R. oberhaeuseri and therefore the authors expect that there are other cryptic species included under the R. oberhaeuseri name still awaiting to be recognized and described.

Milnesium berladnicorum sp. n. (Eutardigrada, Apochela, Milnesiidae), a new species of water bear from Romania

“…Ramazzottius specimens were verified and identified using the key to the World Tardigrada (Ramazzotti and Maucci 1983), a more modern key to the genus Ramazzottius (Biserov 1998), and remarks discussed by Pilato et al (2013).…”

Tardigrada of Bory Tucholskie National Park, Zaborski Landscape Park, and their surroundings (Pomerania Province, Poland)

“…Ramazzottius oberhaeuseri (Doyère, 1840) Ramazzottius oberhaeuseri is a species complex with a cosmopolitan distribution (McInnes, 1994;Pilato et al, 2013), but most of the records of this species need confirmation. Very common and numerous xerophilous species, widely distributed in Poland (Dastych, 1988).…”

The first record of Pyxidium tardigradum Van der Land, 1964 (Ciliophora) in Romania

“…Observations and photomicrographs were taken using Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) (Olympus BX41 with digital camera ARTCAM-300Mi). Tardigrades were verified using a general key (Ramazzotti & Maucci 1983), a recent specific key to the genus Ramazzottius (Biserov 1998) and comments by Pilato et al (2013). According to Pilato et al (2013) it is not possible to stated with certainty whether the cuticle of R. oberhaeuseri s. s. is entirely ornamented or partially smooth.…”

“…Tardigrades were verified using a general key (Ramazzotti & Maucci 1983), a recent specific key to the genus Ramazzottius (Biserov 1998) and comments by Pilato et al (2013). According to Pilato et al (2013) it is not possible to stated with certainty whether the cuticle of R. oberhaeuseri s. s. is entirely ornamented or partially smooth. While the morphological characteristics of our Romanian Ramazzottius populations match descriptions of R. oberhaeuseri, some individual variations lead us to determine our specimens as Ramazzottius cf.…”