A New Species of the Genus Crenubiotus (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Adorybiotidae) from Salt Spring Island, Strait of Georgia, British Columbia (Canada)

Abstract

Currently, the recently erected genus Crenubiotus (Adorybiotidae, Macrobiotoidea) includes only three species, all of which are characterised by dentate lunulae and cuticular tubercules organised in the band in the dorso-caudal part of the body. By means of integrative taxonomy, we describe a fourth species of the genus: Crenubiotus salishani sp. nov., from Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, Canada. The new species has been found in the moss growing on rock and differs from the other species in the genus due to the presence of a median anterior mucrone in the third band of the oral cavity armature (OCA) and by the presence of evident thickenings on the eggshell connecting the neighbouring processes. This finding highlights the importance of continuing to study tardigrade biodiversity, even in already explored areas, and how an integrative approach is fundamental to achieving a reliable measure of biodiversity.