Two new species of genus Macrobiotus (Tardigrada: Macrobiotidae) from China

Abstract

Two new species of the genus Macrobiotus Schultze are described from China. Macrobiotus zhejiangensis, new species, is similar to Macrobiotus diffusus Binda et al., 1987 and Macrobiotus dimentmani Pilato et al., 2010. M. zhejiangensis differs from M. diffusus by more slender claws, and the external claws are longer than the internal claws of the first three pairs of legs, and by a different shape of the projections on the egg; it differs from M. dimentmani by external claws larger than the internal claws on the first three pairs of legs and by the processes in shape of truncated cones. Macrobiotus wuzhishanensis, new species, is similar to M. zhejiangensis but differs from it by a different shape on the claws of the hind legs, and by conical processes on the egg. Macrobiotus wuzhishanensis differs from M. diffusus Binda et al. by possessing more slender claws, by external claws larger than internal claws, by claws with a shorter common tract on the fourth pair of legs, and by differences in the egg. Macrobiotus wuzhishanensis is very similar to M. dimentmani Pilato et al. but differs from it by a narrower buccal tube, by posterior and anterior claws on hind legs different in size, and by the primary and secondary branches joined with a shorter common tract on the hind legs, and by differences in the egg.