Macrobiotus naginae sp. nov., a New Xerophilous Tardigrade Species from Rokua Sand Dunes (Finland)

Abstract

Animals that colonize soil show specific adaptations to soil. Compared to closely related species living on the surface, the limbs of soil-dwelling animals are often shortened, reduced, or absent to allow a less restricted passage through cavities between soil particles. This pattern of limb reduction has also been observed in tardigrades, where multiple lineages that colonized the below-ground habitat show independent reduction and/or loss of legs and claws. In the tardigrade superfamily Macrobiotoidea, leg and claw reductions are a common trait found in the Macrobiotus pseudohufelandi complex. This rarely found species complex currently contains four nominal taxa. Here we describe, with the use of integrative taxonomy, Macrobiotus naginae sp. nov., a new species in the Macrobiotus pseudohufelandi complex from inland sand dunes in Finland. We also provide a dichotomous key to the Macrobiotus pseudohufelandi complex to assist with their identification in future studies.