Abstract
Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve [KVBR] is a UNESCO designated area of Sweden possessing high biological value. Although several studies on tardigrades inhabiting Sweden have been performed, the KVBR area has been neglected. The current study investigates the tardigrade fauna of five areas of the biosphere reserve and includes 34 samples of different substrates analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. In total, 33 species of tardigrades were found in the samples, including 22 new records for the Skåne region, 15 new records for Sweden, and four species new to science. Mesobiotus emiliae sp. nov., Xerobiotus gretae sp. nov., Itaquascon magnussoni sp. nov., and Thulinius gustavi sp. nov. were described with an integrative approach (when possible) using morphological characters (light, electron scanning, and confocal laser scanning microscopies) and molecular markers (ITS2, 18S, 28S, cox1). A new protocol to increase morphological data was developed recovering mounted specimens within old slides for SEM analysis. Emended diagnoses for the genus Itaquascon and the transfer of Platicrista itaquasconoide to the genus Meplitumen are proposed. This study enriches the knowledge of the tardigrade biodiversity both within the KVBR and in Sweden and contributes to the rapidly increasing number of tardigrade species reported worldwide. The 33 species identified in the KVBR area represents 28% of all water bear species found in Sweden so far. The restricted study areas and limited number of samples collected suggests that the KVBR is very rich of tardigrades.
Highlights
In the last five years, more than 60 species of tardigrades new to science have been discovered and described[1]
The main aim of the current study was to provide information about the tardigrade diversity of an unexplored area of Sweden, the Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve [KVBR] (Skåne County, Sweden). This biosphere reserve is a UNESCO designated area in the southernmost region of Sweden known for its wetlands, rivers, and lakes and for successful coadaptive management of its natural r esources[25]
We collected samples of different substrates from different sites within the KVBR, identifying morphospecies. These new records increased the checklist of the tardigrade Swedish fauna[24,27] and underscored that the KVBR represents a hotspot for diversity
Summary
In the last five years, more than 60 species of tardigrades new to science have been discovered and described[1]. The main aim of the current study was to provide information about the tardigrade diversity of an unexplored area of Sweden, the Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve [KVBR] (Skåne County, Sweden). Within the Kristianstads Vattenrike, both residential areas and biotopes possessing high biological value of international and national importance such as wetlands, forest, and sandy arable land are included This area of about 1050 k m2 encompasses many sites of the “Natura 2000” network and nature reserves: it is one of the most biodiverse areas in Sweden, hosting 20% of the species considered threatened in the c ountry[26]. We collected samples of different substrates from different sites within the KVBR, identifying morphospecies These new records increased the checklist of the tardigrade Swedish fauna[24,27] and underscored that the KVBR represents a hotspot for diversity. We consider appropriate to report the presence of morphospecies since the morphological adaptations of them give precious information on the diversity and structure of the communities, and on the ecology of the single species (or morphospecies) in relation to the substrates and sampled areas
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