A dichotomous key to the genera of the Marine Heterotardigrades (Tardigrada)
Author
Fontoura, Paulo
Author
Bartels, Paul J.
Author
Jørgensen, Aslak
Author
Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg
Author
Hansen, Jesper Guldberg
text
Zootaxa
2017
4294
1
1
45
journal article
32663
10.11646/zootaxa.4294.1.1
4e098c30-d7f2-49d2-9d71-4a2815d76e06
1175-5326
831540
F7EC0547-6984-4C85-B1BF-010C049D0F2D
1.6
RENAUDARCTIDAE Kristensen & Higgins, 1984
(emended by
Hansen
et al
. 2012
)
Arthrotardigrades with segmental dorsal and ventral plates, both claws and toes present. Four toes are accompanied by four accessory claw spines19 on each foot in the adults. Primary and secondary clavae, and a complete set of cephalic cirri present.
1.6.1
Renaudarctu
s
Kristensen & Higgins, 1984 (emended by
Hansen
et al
. 2012
) (
Figs 5
A, 11C)
Renaudarctidae
with segmental dorsal plates, two dorsal intersegmental plates, four dorsal intersegmental ridges33, a dorsal plate on each leg, and thin ventral plates. Each body plate with a pair of lateral spines. Caudal
32. In the terminology of this key “dorsal bristle” = accessory point.
33. According to
Hansen
et al
. (2012)
, these intersegmental ridges are prominent cuticular structures forming a ridge rather than a true plate, present between segmental and intersegmental plates.
plate with two pairs of lateral spikes, one pair of caudal spikes, and lateral margins continuous with furca-like caudal extensions. Complete set of cephalic sense organs. Leg IV with small ovoid papilla; all other legs lack sensory structures. Cirrus
E
with cirrophore. Female and male with ovoid gonopore papillae adjacent to terminal anal system. Female with latero-ventral projections containing seminal receptacles.
Type species:
Renaudarctus psammocryptus
Kristensen & Higgins, 1984
Remark: During the publication process of this paper a new genus and species,
Nodarctus hallucis
Fujimoto &Yamasaki, 2017
, of
Renaudarctidae
have been described and, consequently, the diagnosis of the family has been emended. The genus
Nodarctus
can be easily distinguished from
Renaudarctus
in having leg IV with two digits, subdivided dorsal body plates without lateral processes, and a large single caudal spike (see
Fujimoto & Yamasaki 2017
).