Abstract
Abstract The distribution of terrestrial tardigrades in the Gulf Coast states of the United States is poorly known. Only one species has been reported in Florida. In this study, bryophyte samples (47 identified species) from trees and shrubs were collected from all 67 Florida counties. Twenty tardigrade species were found: Echiniscus cavagnaroi, E. kofordi, E. virginicus, Pseudechiniscus suillus, Ramazzottius baumanni, Diphascon (Diphascon) pingue, Macrobiotus echinogenitus, two species of Macrobiotus cf. harmsworthi, Macrobiotus cf. hibiscus, Macrobiotus hufelandi, two species of Macrobiotus cf. hufelandi, Macrobiotus islandicus, Macrobiotus occidentalis, Macrobiotus richtersi, Macrobiotus tonollii, Minibiotus fallax, Minibiotus intermedius, and Milnesium tardigradum. The distribution of tardigrade species was not correlated with Florida's ecological regions. Tardigrade species richness declined from north to south in peninsular Florida.
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