When DNA sequence data and morphological results fit together: Phylogenetic position of <i>Crenubiotus</i> within Macrobiotoidea (Eutardigrada) with description of <i>Crenubiotus ruhesteini</i> sp. nov
Roberto Guidetti, Ralph O. Schill, Ilaria Giovannini, Edoardo Massa, Sara Elena Goldoni, Charly Ebel, Marc I. Förschler, Lorena Rebecchi, Michele Cesari
Abstract
The integration of morphological data and data from molecular genetic markers is important for examining the taxonomy of meiofaunal animals, especially for eutardigrades, which have a reduced number of morphological characters. This integrative approach has been used more frequently, but several tardigrade taxa lack molecular confirmation. Here, we describe Crenubiotus ruhesteini sp. nov. from the Black Forest (Germany) integratively, with light and electron microscopy and with sequences of four molecular markers (18S, 28S, ITS2, cox1 genes). Molecular genetic markers were also used to confirm the recently described Crenubiotus genus and to establish its phylogenetic position within the Macrobiotoidea (Eutardigrada). The erection of Crenubiotus and its place in the family Richtersiidae are confirmed. Richtersiidae is redescribed as Richtersiusidae fam. nov. because its former name was a junior homonym of a nematode family.