Presence of Notahypsibius pallidoides (Tardigrada: Hypsibiidae) in the fauna of Russia confirmed with the methods of DNA barcoding

Abstract

A brief report is given on the tardigrade species Notahypsibius pallidoides, discovered in a moss cushion in the vicinity of Saint Petersburg. Morphological identification of the species is supported with the analysis of obtained sequences of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA barcode genes (ITS-2 and COI). The current state of knowledge of Russian fauna of Tardigrada is characterised, and all available data on the distribution of Notahypsibius pallidoides and its genetic variability are summarised. The data obtained in this study by methods of DNA barcoding demonstrated that studied specimens of the tardigrada population isolated in Russia belong to the same species (Notahypsibius pallidoides) as the control specimens isolated in Austria though represent another haplotype thus confirming the presence of Notahypsibius pallidoides for the fauna of Russia.