Tardigrades of North America: Platicrista brunsoni nov. sp. (Parachela, Hypsibiidae, Itaquasconinae) from the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area of Montana

Abstract

Abstract Eighty-three samples of moss and/or lichen were collected during a horse-packing trip into the southern half of Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness Area in 2012. Tardigrades representing five families, ten genera, and eleven species were recovered from the samples. Two are new to Montana, and one is new to science. Raising the Montana tardigrade biodiversity to 23. The new species Platicrista brunsoni nov. sp. is distinguished by having a tubercated dorsal/lateral cuticle, a unique buccal tube to pharyngeal tube ratio, a serrated base on the claws of the fourth legs, a cuticular bar at the base of the inner claws on legs II and III, prominent stylet supports, and two thin macroplacoids, the first half the length of the second in the elongated pharynx. In addition, specimens of the monospecific genus Multipseudechiniscus were recovered.