Macrobiotus kovalevi, a new species of Tardigrada from New Zealand (Eutadigrada, Macrobiotidae)

Abstract

Three species of the family Macrobiotidae (Tardigrada) were extracted from mosses collected in New Zealand. One of them, Macrobiotus kovalevi, is new for science. It is similar to the species from the harmsworthi and furciger-orcadensis groups of the genus Macrobiotus. The new species differs from all known species of these groups by the structure of the buccal armature (very short medio-dorsal ridge and the absence of typically developed teeth) and the unique structure of the egg chorion. In the same sample Macrobiotus cf. coronatus De Barros and Calcarobiotus (Discrepun- guis) sp. were found.