Tardigrades of North America: New Records of Occurrence for Three Species of Green Tardigrades (Heterotardigrada, Echiniscoidea, Echiniscidae, Viridiscus)

Abstract

Three species of green tardigrades (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscoidea: Echiniscidae) Viridiscus perviridis, Viridiscus viridianus and Viridiscus viridissimus are reported from a dozen locations from Kansas, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. This is the first report of these species from these states and is the farthest north these species have been found in North America. Viridiscus viridianus is also reported from the island of Antigua, the first report of this genus from Antigua.