Some tardigrades from central africa with the description of two new species: Macrobiotus ragonesei and M. Priviterae (eutardigrada macrobiotidae)

Abstract

Ten species of tardigrades are reported from Central Africa. Isohypsibius arbiter Binda 1980 is new for Africa; two species, Macrobiotus ragonesei and Macrobiotus priviterae are new to science. Macrobiotus ragonesei has two macroplacoids and microplacoid, and areolated eggs with conical processes sculptured in the basal portion and unsculptured in the terminal portion. Macrobiotus priviterae is similar to M. richtersi Murray 1911, M. peteri Pilato et al. 1989, and M. chieregoi Maucci et al. 1980 but differs from them by having eyes, and in the claw and egg characters; it is also similar to M. vanescens Pilato et al. 1991 and to M. danielae Pilato et al. 2001 but differs from them in claw and egg characters. The egg of Minibiotus africanus Binda & Pilato 1995, unknown so far, is described. © 2001 by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.