Taxonomy and systematics of Lepidodermella (Gastrotricha: Chaetonotidae): New species, new records, neotype designation and molecular data from Brazil

Gastrotricha are key components of the meiofaunal communities in diverse aquatic environments worldwide. Despite their ubiquity, knowledge of their diversity remains limited, particularly in Neotropical freshwater ecosystems. This study examines the genus Lepidodermella Blake, 1933 in Brazil, designating a neotype for Lepidodermella broa Kisielewski, 1991 based on material collected from locus typicus, and describing a new species, Lepidodermella pirakitan sp. nov., from sampling sites in the state of Ceará and São Paulo. The new species is characterized by a distinctive cuticular armature, with geometrically shaped smooth scales covering the dorsal head, neck, and trunk, distinguishing it from other congeners. Molecular analyses of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes reassessed the phylogenetic position of Lepidodermella species, revealing that the monophyly of the genus was not supported. We also updated the dichotomous key for freshwater species of the genus, incorporating the newly described species and updated distributional data.