6533b85bfe1ef96bd12ba9cd

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Deep-sea Tardigrada from South Shetland Islands (Antarctica) with description of Angursa antarctica sp. nov. (Arthrotardigrada, Halechiniscidae)

S. Víllora-moreno

subject

ShetlandAbyssal zoneOceanographybiologyTardigradaCosmopolitan distributionTaxonomy (biology)TardigradeGeneral Agricultural and Biological Sciencesbiology.organism_classificationDeep seaBathyal zone

description

A new species of marine tardigrade is described coming from the muddy sediment of the Antarctic deep sea. Angursa antarctica sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of balloon-shaped primary clavae, long lateral cirri, long cephalic cirri, spines on legs I, hemispherical capsule-shaped papillae on legs IV, and short external peduncles. Geographical distribution of the genus Angursa extends to Antarctic waters, suggesting a cosmopolitan distribution for this bathyal and abyssal genus. A table comparing the main differentiating characteristics of the species of Angursa is presented.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s003000050255