identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
0F08B57D2952B80CFD8EFEFBE7DC73FC.text	0F08B57D2952B80CFD8EFEFBE7DC73FC.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Macrobiotus witalinskii Stec 2026	<div><p>Macrobiotus witalinskii sp. nov.</p><p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: AE970A08-77A7-4BE0-BC6C-3FE4A74951FF</p><p>Figs 1–7; Tables 2–3</p><p>Etymology</p><p>The species name witalinskii is a patronym honouring Prof. Wojciech Witaliński, a distinguished Polish acarologist from Jagiellonian University. The species is named in recognition of his contributions to the taxonomy of Acari and his supervision of the author’s bachelor thesis.</p><p>Material examined</p><p>107 animals, 20 eggs mounted on microscope slides in Hoyer’s medium, 5 animals and 4 eggs examined under SEM and two animals processed for DNA sequencing.</p><p>Type material</p><p>Holotype</p><p>MADAGASCAR • <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=49.182224&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=-12.513611" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 49.182224/lat -12.513611)">Amber Mountain</a>, road from Joffreville; 12°30′49″ S, 49°10′56″ E; 993 m a.s.l.; Dec. 2018; W. Witaliński leg.; moss collected from tree branch; primary tropical forest; ISEA PAS, slide MG.001.06.</p><p>Paratypes</p><p>MADAGASCAR • 106 specs; same data as for holotype; ISEA PAS, slides MG.001.02 to MG.001.09 • 20 eggs; same data as for holotype; ISEA PAS, slides MG.001.01, MG.001.10, MG.001.11 .</p><p>Description</p><p>Animals</p><p>Body transparent in juveniles and whitish in adults; after fixation in Hoyer’s medium, the body becomes transparent (Fig. 1). Eyes present in alive and Hoyer-fixed specimens. Cuticular pores are scattered randomly over the entire body surface (Figs 1–2), being more sparsely distributed on the ventral side. Two pore morphotypes can be distinguished: larger oval pores (1.2–1.7 μm in diameter) and smaller, roundish pores (0.5–0.9 μm in diameter). Granulation is present over the entire body cuticle, being denser in the dorso-caudal region; however, it is clearly visible only under SEM, and its density increases from head to caudal part of the dorsal cuticle (Fig. 2). Under PCM, body granulation is discernible only in the dorso-caudal part of the body (Fig. 1). Extremely fine granulation patches are present on the external surfaces of legs I–III, but are visible exclusively under SEM (Fig. 3), whereas granulation is absent from the internal surfaces of legs I–III (Fig. 3). Dense granulation is present on the lateral and dorsal surfaces of leg IV and is clearly visible under both PCM and SEM (Fig. 3). A pulvinus-shaped cuticular bulge is centrally located on the internal surface of all legs I–III (Fig. 3) and is observable only when the legs are fully extended and properly oriented.</p><p>Claws are small and slender, of the hufelandi type (Fig. 4). Primary branches bear distinct accessory points, a common tract, and a well-developed stalk connecting the claw to the lunula (Fig. 4). Lunulae on legs I–IV are smooth (Fig. 4). A divided cuticular bar and double muscle attachments occur above claws I–III but are very poorly visible (Fig. 4). Shadowed extensions originating from the lunulae of claws IV are present and are faintly visible only under PCM (Fig. 4).</p><p>Mouth antero-ventral. Bucco-pharyngeal apparatus of the Macrobiotus type (Fig. 5), with a ventral lamina and ten small peribuccal lamellae followed by six buccal sensory lobes. Under PCM, the OCA is of the maculatus type, with the first and second bands of teeth not visible (Fig. 5); however, all three bands are clearly discernible under SEM (Fig. 5). The first band of teeth consists of numerous extremely small cones arranged in several rows, located anteriorly in the oral cavity on the bases of the peribuccal lamellae and immediately posterior to them (Fig. 5). The second band of teeth is situated between the ring fold and the third band and is composed of several rows of small cones, larger than those of the first band (Fig. 5). The third band of teeth is located in the posterior portion of the oral cavity, between the second band and the opening of the buccal tube (Fig. 5); it is discontinuous and divided into dorsal and ventral portions. Under PCM, these dorsal and ventral teeth appear as a single transverse ridges, each with two dark thickenings (Fig. 5). Under SEM the dorsal and ventral portions are also clearly distinguishable and form continuous ridges, each bearing two peaks, with the dorsal teeth being larger and more distinct than the ventral ones (Fig. 5). The pharyngeal bulb is spherical, with triangular apophyses, two rod-shaped macroplacoids, and a small granular microplacoid (Fig. 5). The macroplacoid length sequence is 2&lt;1, with the first and second macroplacoids constricted centrally and subterminally, respectively (Fig. 5). Measurements and morphometric statistics of the animals are provided in Table 2.</p><p>Eggs</p><p>Eggs laid freely, white, spherical, and ornamented (Figs 6–7). The surface between egg processes is of the hufelandi type, with the eggshell between processes covered by a reticulum (Figs 6–7). The reticulum and egg processes are attached to the egg surface by multiple pillar-like structures that are visible only under SEM (Fig. 7). The reticular mesh is composed of distinct pores (0.5–0.9 μm in diameter), the diameter of which is larger than the width of the nodes and bars forming the mesh, giving the reticulum a very distinct and delicate appearance (Figs 6–7). The pores are generally uniform in size and shape, which gives an initial impression of uniform distribution. However, closer examination reveals a single ring of peribasal meshes surrounding each egg process and, occasionally, one to two additional interbasal meshes between them, usually smaller than the peribasal meshes (Figs 6–7). Under PCM, dark thickenings can be distinguished around the bases of the egg processes, which under SEM correspond to the portions linking the reticulum with the walls of the egg processes (Figs 6–7). Egg processes are conical, with a wider proximal portion near the egg surface and a distinctly narrower distal portion (Figs 6–7). Walls of the proximal portion are smooth, whereas the distal portion is rough, being covered by granules that are clearly visible under SEM and very faintly visible under PCM (Figs 6–7). The wider proximal and narrower distal portions of the egg processes are approximately similar in length (Figs 6–7). Measurements and morphometric statistics of the eggs are provided in Table 3.</p><p>Reproduction</p><p>The type population of M. witalinskii sp. nov. is dioecious. Both males with testes filled with sperm and females with ovaries containing oocytes were observed in specimens freshly mounted in Hoyer’s medium.</p><p>Differential diagnosis</p><p>By having (i) only the third band of teeth in the oral cavity armature clearly visible under light microscopy, (ii) eggs with conical processes bearing sharp apices, lacking terminal discs or a flattened distal portion, and (iii) reticulation present on the egg surface between processes, the new species is similar to only one species of Macrobiotus: Macrobiotus drakensbergi Dastych, 1993, known exclusively from South Africa (Dastych 1993). However, Macrobiotus witalinskii sp. nov. differs from M. drakensbergi in several diagnostic characters: (i) the presence of leg granulation (granulation absent in M. drakensbergi), (ii) normally developed hind legs (hind legs reduced in M. drakensbergi), (iii) the morphology of the ventral portion of the third band of teeth in the OCA, which in the new species forms a single continuous transverse ridge bearing two peaks (teeth), whereas in M. drakensbergi it consists of three separate teeth, (iv) a different shape of claws (claws stout with straight basal portion in the new species vs claws dumpy with rounded basal portion in M. drakensbergi, (v) the presence of smooth lunulae on legs I–IV (all lunulae dentate in M. drakensbergi), and (vi) the shape of the egg processes, which in the new species are conical with a wider proximal portion and a distinctly narrower distal portion of approximately similar length and clearly separated, whereas in M. drakensbergi the processes are short, wide, cone-shaped, with short sharp apices and positioned close to one another.</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0F08B57D2952B80CFD8EFEFBE7DC73FC	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Stec, Daniel	Stec, Daniel (2026): Integrative taxonomy reveals four new species in the superdiverse genus Macrobiotus (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Macrobiotidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1055: 1-57, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1055.3277, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3277/14474
0F08B57D295DB812FDB6FB8AE0E972E3.text	0F08B57D295DB812FDB6FB8AE0E972E3.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Macrobiotus dalaticus Stec 2026	<div><p>Macrobiotus dalaticus sp. nov.</p><p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: A569A718-CF23-49F5-A73A-7E24D14FACFB</p><p>Figs 8–15; Tables 4–5</p><p>Etymology</p><p>The species name dalaticus refers to Đà Lạt, the region in the Central Highlands of Vietnam where the species was collected. The adjective is formed in reference to the type locality.</p><p>Material examined</p><p>51 animals, 50 eggs mounted on microscope slides in Hoyer’s medium, 8 animals and 6 eggs examined under SEM and two animals processed for DNA sequencing.</p><p>Type material</p><p>Holotype</p><p>VIETNAM • <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.44889&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=11.898889" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.44889/lat 11.898889)">Central Highlands, Đà Lạt region, Datanla Waterfall area (Xe TrƯỢt Ống Datanla)</a>; 11°53′56″ N, 108°26′56″ E; 1290 m a.s.l.; Aug. 2018; D. Stec and K. Miler leg.; lichen collected from rock in mountain forest; ISEA PAS, slide VN.002.02.</p><p>Paratypes</p><p>VIETNAM • 50 specs; same data as for holotype; ISEA PAS, slides VN.002.02, VN.002.03, VN.002.05 to VN.002.11 • 50 eggs; same data as for holotype; ISEA PAS, slides VN.002.01, VN.002.04, VN.002.12 to VN.002.14 .</p><p>Description</p><p>Animals</p><p>Body transparent in juveniles and yellowish in adults; after fixation in Hoyer’s medium, the body becomes transparent (Fig. 8). Eyes present in alive and Hoyer-fixed specimens. Cuticular pores are scattered randomly over the entire body surface (Fig. 8), being more sparsely distributed on the ventral side. Pores are circular and uniform in size and shape (0.4–0.6 μm in diameter). Body granulation is absent except on the legs. Fine granulation patches are present on the external surfaces of legs I–III and are clearly visible under both PCM and SEM (Fig. 9), whereas granulation is absent from the internal surfaces of legs I–III; only occasionally can extremely sparse minute granules be observed under SEM on the fronto-internal surface of the distal leg portions (Fig. 9). Distinct granulation is also present on the lateral and dorsal surfaces of leg IV and is clearly visible under both PCM and SEM (Fig. 9). On the internal surface of legs I–III, a pulvinus-shaped cuticular bulge is centrally located, and a faint cuticular fold occurs in the distal portion of the legs just above the claws (Fig. 9). Both structures are visible only when the legs are fully extended and properly oriented on the slide.</p><p>Claws slender, of the hufelandi type (Figs 10–11). Primary branches bear distinct accessory points, a common tract, and a well-developed stalk connecting the claw to the lunula (Figs 10–11). Lunulae on legs I–III are smooth, whereas those on hind legs are clearly dentate (Figs 10–11). A divided cuticular bar and double muscle attachments occur above claws I–III and are very poorly visible under PCM, but distinct under SEM (Figs 10–11).</p><p>Mouth antero-ventral. Bucco-pharyngeal apparatus of the Macrobiotus type (Fig. 12), with a ventral lamina and ten small peribuccal lamellae followed by six buccal sensory lobes. Under PCM, the OCA is of the patagonicus type, with only the first band of teeth not visible (Fig. 12); however, all three bands are clearly discernible under SEM (Fig. 13). The first band of teeth consists of numerous extremely small cones arranged in several rows, located anteriorly in the oral cavity on the bases of the peribuccal lamellae and immediately posterior to them (Fig. 13). The second band of teeth is situated between the ring fold and the third band, and is composed of several rows of small cones, larger than those of the first band which under PCM are seen as dark dots (Figs 12–13). The third band of teeth is located in the posterior portion of the oral cavity, between the second band and the opening of the buccal tube (Figs 12– 13); it is discontinuous and divided into dorsal and ventral portions. Under PCM, the dorsal teeth form a single transverse ridge with two distinct bends / thickenings, whereas the ventral teeth appear as two separate lateral transverse ridges with an elongated median tooth between them (Fig. 12). Under SEM, the dorsal teeth indeed form a single ridge with two larger lateral peaks and several smaller median peaks and indentations (Fig. 13), corresponding to the bends / thickenings observed under PCM (Fig. 12). Under SEM, the ventral teeth are also separated into one median and two lateral teeth, with the latter positioned more posteriorly relative to the median tooth (Fig. 13). The pharyngeal bulb is spherical, with triangular apophyses, two rod-shaped macroplacoids, and a distinct triangular microplacoid (Fig. 12). The macroplacoid length sequence is 2&lt;1, with the first and second macroplacoids constricted centrally and subterminally, respectively (Fig. 12). Measurements and morphometric statistics are provided in Table 4.</p><p>Eggs</p><p>Eggs laid freely, whitish to light yellow, spherical (Figs 14–15). The surface between egg processes is of the hufelandi type, with the eggshell between processes covered by a reticulum (Figs 14–15). The reticulum and egg processes are attached to the egg surface by multiple pillar-like structures that are visible only under SEM (Fig. 15). The pores of the reticulum are similar in size and uniformly distributed over the entire egg surface; notably, no peribasal rings of elongated pores or enlarged meshes are present around the bases of the processes (Figs 14–15). Several rows of pores occur between adjacent processes, and the width of the mesh bars and nodes is smaller than the pore diameter (Figs 14–15). Pores are circular to oval (longer diameter 0.3–0.7 μm) (Figs 14–15). Under PCM, faint dark thickenings or darker rings can be distinguished around the bases of the egg processes, which under SEM correspond to the portions linking the reticulum with the walls of the egg processes (Figs 14–15). Egg processes are shaped like inverted goblets, with slightly concave conical trunks and well-defined terminal discs (Figs 14–15). Terminal discs are cog-shaped, with a smooth concave central area and serrated margins (Figs 14–15). Many serrations are elongated into 8–14 thin, flexible filaments, less than 0.3 μm in diameter and 4–7 μm in length (Figs 14–15). Under PCM, the filaments appear hair-like (Fig. 14), whereas under SEM they show a rough surface covered with fine granulation or digitations, while the surface of the terminal discs appears smooth (Fig. 15). Although clearly visible under PCM, the filaments are very thin and may be overlooked or misinterpreted as debris attached to the eggs if careful examination is not performed. Measurements and morphometric statistics of the eggs are provided in Table 5.</p><p>Reproduction</p><p>The type population of M. dalaticus sp. nov. is dioecious. Both males with testes filled with sperm and females with ovaries containing oocytes were observed in specimens freshly mounted in Hoyer’s medium.</p><p>Differential diagnosis</p><p>By having (i) a smooth body cuticle lacking dense patches of body granulation, except for the typical granulation present on the distal portions of the legs, and (ii) eggs with a reticulated surface between processes and egg processes bearing terminal discs with long, flexible filaments, the new species is most similar to two other Macrobiotus taxa: Macrobiotus polypiformis Roszkowska, Ostrowska, Stec, Janko &amp; Kaczmarek, 2017 and Macrobiotus sharopovi Polishchuk, Kayastha, Młodzianowska, Warguła &amp; Kaczmarek, 2025, both known only from Ecuador (Roszkowska et al. 2017; Polishchuk et al. 2025).</p><p>The new species differs from M. polypiformis by: (i) a better-developed OCA, with the second and third bands of teeth clearly visible under light microscopy in the new species, whereas only the third band of teeth is clearly visible in M. polypiformis; (ii) the absence of granulation in the central area of the terminal discs of the egg processes (granulation present in M. polypiformis); (iii) a longer first macroplacoid (7.2–12.9 μm in the new species vs 5.2–6.8 μm in M. polypiformis); (iv) longer macroplacoid and placoid rows (12.6–22.5 μm and 15.5–26.3 μm in the new species vs 9.0–11.8 μm and 11.1–14.5 μm in M. polypiformis, respectively); and (v) a larger number of egg processes on the egg circumference (28–34 in the new species vs 19–23 in M. polypiformis).</p><p>The new species further differs from M. sharopovi by: (i) the size and shape of cuticular pores (roundish pores 0.4–0.6 μm in diameter in the new species vs elliptical pores with thicker edges and 0.8–1.8 μm in diameter in M. sharopovi); (ii) the morphology of the ventral portion of the third band of teeth in the OCA, in which the ventral teeth appear as three separate teeth in the new species, whereas they form a single transverse ridge in M. sharopovi; (iii) the presence of granulation on the flexible filaments extending from the terminal discs of the egg processes (filaments smooth in M. sharopovi); (iv) smaller eggs (bare diameter 53.6–66.5 μm and full diameter 63.5–75.6 μm in the new species vs 70.0–84.1 μm and 81.7–97.9 μm in M. sharopovi, respectively); and (v) a larger number of egg processes on the egg circumference (28–34 in the new species vs 20–24 in M. sharopovi).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0F08B57D295DB812FDB6FB8AE0E972E3	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Stec, Daniel	Stec, Daniel (2026): Integrative taxonomy reveals four new species in the superdiverse genus Macrobiotus (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Macrobiotidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1055: 1-57, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1055.3277, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3277/14474
0F08B57D2940B819FDB6FC70E7727643.text	0F08B57D2940B819FDB6FC70E7727643.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Macrobiotus surmaczi Stec 2026	<div><p>Macrobiotus surmaczi sp. nov.</p><p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 3F006251-3C6E-4D97-802E-99253C71C909</p><p>Figs 16–21; Tables 6–7</p><p>Etymology</p><p>The species name surmaczi is a patronym honouring Bartłomiej Surmacz, a close colleague and collaborator of the author, in recognition of his contributions to tardigrade research and his involvement in joint studies on tardigrade diversity and ecology. The species epithet surmaczi is a noun in the genitive case.</p><p>Material examined</p><p>68 animals, 28 eggs mounted on microscope slides in Hoyer’s medium, 6 animals and 4 eggs examined under SEM and two animals processed for DNA sequencing.</p><p>Type material</p><p>Holotype</p><p>VIETNAM • Central Lâm Đồng Province, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.450554&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=11.951388" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.450554/lat 11.951388)">Đà Lạt, city park area (“VƯờn Hoa”)</a>; 11°57′05″ N, 108°27′02″ E; 1491 m a.s.l.; Aug. 2018; D. Stec and K. Miler leg.; lichen collected from tree bark in urban environment; ISEA PAS, slide VN.003.07.</p><p>Paratypes</p><p>VIETNAM • 67 specs; same data as for holotype; ISEA PAS, slides VN.003.07 to VN.003.16 • 28 eggs; same data as for holotype; ISEA PAS, slides VN.003.01 to VN.003.06 .</p><p>Description</p><p>Animals</p><p>Body transparent in juveniles and yellowish in adults; after fixation in Hoyer’s medium, the body becomes transparent (Fig. 16). Eyes present in alive and Hoyer-fixed specimens. Cuticular pores are scattered randomly over the entire body surface (Figs 16–17), being more sparsely distributed on the ventral side. Pores are circular and uniform in size and shape (0.7–0.9 μm in diameter). Body and leg granulation are absent. On the internal surface of legs I–III, a pulvinus-shaped cuticular bulge is centrally located, and a faint cuticular fold occurs in the distal portion of the legs just above the claws (Figs 16– 17). Both structures are visible only when the legs are fully extended and properly oriented on the slide.</p><p>Claws small and slender, of the hufelandi type (Fig. 18). Primary branches bear distinct accessory points, a common tract, and a well-developed stalk connecting the claw to the lunula (Fig. 18). Lunulae on legs I–IV are smooth (Fig. 18). A divided cuticular bar and double muscle attachments occur above claws I–III but are very poorly visible (Figs 16–18).</p><p>Mouth antero-ventral. Bucco-pharyngeal apparatus of the Macrobiotus type (Fig. 19), with a ventral lamina and ten small peribuccal lamellae followed by six buccal sensory lobes. Under PCM, the OCA is of the maculatus type, with the first and second bands of teeth not visible (Fig. 19); however, all three bands are clearly discernible under SEM (Fig. 19). The first band of teeth consists of numerous extremely small cones arranged in a single row, located anteriorly in the oral cavity on the bases of the peribuccal lamellae and immediately posterior to them (Fig. 19). The second band of teeth is situated between the ring fold and the third band and is composed of several rows of small cones, larger than those of the first band (Fig. 19). The third band of teeth is located in the posterior portion of the oral cavity, between the second band and the opening of the buccal tube (Fig. 19); it is discontinuous and divided into dorsal and ventral portions. Under PCM, the dorsal and ventral teeth appear as a single transverse ridge, with the ventral portion bearing two dark thickenings (Fig. 19). Under SEM, the dorsal and ventral portions are clearly distinguishable and form continuous ridges, each bearing two peaks, with the ventral peaks being larger and more distinct than the dorsal ones (Fig. 19). The pharyngeal bulb is spherical, with triangular apophyses, two rod-shaped macroplacoids, and a small triangular microplacoid (Fig. 19). The macroplacoid length sequence is 2 &lt;1, with the first and second macroplacoids constricted centrally and subterminally, respectively (Fig. 19). Measurements and morphometric statistics are provided in Table 6.</p><p>Eggs</p><p>Eggs laid freely, yellowish, spherical, and ornamented (Figs 20–21). The surface between egg processes is of the persimilis type, with the eggshell between processes continuous, i.e. smooth or wrinkled but never forming pores or a reticulum (Figs 20–21). Under PCM, the egg surface appears generally smooth but covered with fine, scattered dark dots (Fig. 20). Observations under SEM confirm the continuous nature of the eggshell surface and the absence of reticulation; however, the surface is clearly wrinkled, forming a delicate sculpturing composed of fine grooves and folds (Fig. 21). These surface irregularities most probably correspond to the dark dots observed under PCM. Dark thickenings can be distinguished under PCM around the bases of the egg processes, which under SEM correspond to the thickened portions linking the egg surface with the walls of the egg processes (Figs 20–21). Egg processes are conical, with a wide proximal portion near the egg surface and a distinctly narrower distal portion (Figs 20–21). The walls of the proximal portion are smooth, whereas the distal portion is rough and flattened apically, being covered by granules that are clearly visible under SEM and occasionally very faintly visible under PCM (Figs 20–21). The apical flattening is usually poorly visible under PCM and can be observed only when the egg process is oriented with the flattened surface facing the observer. The wider proximal portion of the egg processes is usually shorter than the narrower distal portion (Figs 20–21). Measurements and morphometric statistics of the eggs are provided in Table 7.</p><p>Reproduction</p><p>The type population of M. surmaczi sp. nov. is dioecious. Both males with testes filled with sperm and females with ovaries containing oocytes were observed in specimens freshly mounted in Hoyer’s medium.</p><p>Differential diagnosis</p><p>By having (i) a smooth, continuous body cuticle lacking dorsal gibbosities and (ii) eggs with conical, elongated processes bearing flattened apices and a smooth, continuous eggshell surface between processes, the new species is most similar to only one species of Macrobiotus: Macrobiotus kristenseni Guidetti, Peluffo, Rocha, Cesari &amp; Moly de Peluffo, 2013, known so far only from Argentina (Guidetti et al. 2013).</p><p>However, the new species differs from M. kristenseni in several diagnostic characters: (i) the absence of granulation on both the body and leg cuticle (typical granulation present on the distal portions of all legs in M. kristenseni); (ii) the morphology of the third band of teeth in the OCA, in which the dorsal and ventral portions appear as single, continuous transverse ridges in the new species, whereas in M. kristenseni both portions consist of three separate ridges; (iii) the presence of smooth lunulae on the hind legs (lunulae dentate in M. kristenseni); (iv) the morphology of the egg processes, which in the new species are conical with a wider proximal portion and a distinctly narrower distal portion that is flattened apically and covered with granules, whereas in M. kristenseni the processes are conical, rather spiky in shape, with a flattened distal portion lacking granulation; (v) the morphology of the egg surface between processes, which in the new species appears smooth and covered with fine, scattered dark dots under PCM and, under SEM, is confirmed to be continuous but distinctly wrinkled, forming a delicate sculpturing of fine grooves and folds, whereas in M. kristenseni the egg surface between processes shows light-refracting dots under PCM and is confirmed under SEM to be solid and smooth, without distinct sculpturing; and (vi) smaller eggs (bare diameter 52.3–66.5 μm and full diameter 71.0–95.3 μm in the new species vs 73.0–96.3 μm and 94.0–125.0 μm in M. kristenseni, respectively).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0F08B57D2940B819FDB6FC70E7727643	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Stec, Daniel	Stec, Daniel (2026): Integrative taxonomy reveals four new species in the superdiverse genus Macrobiotus (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Macrobiotidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1055: 1-57, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1055.3277, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3277/14474
0F08B57D2948B82EFD89FEE3E60D74C1.text	0F08B57D2948B82EFD89FEE3E60D74C1.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Macrobiotus hoianicus Stec 2026	<div><p>Macrobiotus hoianicus sp. nov.</p><p>urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 4E0E4B5B-7E3B-43D2-82AE-C02244AAE4DF</p><p>Figs 22–29; Tables 8–9</p><p>Etymology</p><p>The species name hoianicus refers to Hội An, Vietnam, where the species was collected. The adjective is formed in reference to the type locality.</p><p>Material examined</p><p>77 animals, 48 eggs mounted on microscope slides in Hoyer’s medium, 6 animals and 5 eggs examined under SEM and two animals processed for DNA sequencing.</p><p>Type material</p><p>Holotype</p><p>VIETNAM • Quảng Nam Province, Hội An, <a href="https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=108.33055&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=15.877501" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 108.33055/lat 15.877501)">vicinity of Fukian Assembly Hall</a>; 15°52′39″ N, 108°19′50″ E; 11 m a.s.l.; Aug. 2018; D. Stec and K. Miler leg.; moss collected from tree bark in urban environment; ISEA PAS, slide VN.004.13.</p><p>Paratypes</p><p>VIETNAM • 76 specs; same data as for holotype; ISEA PAS, slides VN.004.01 to VN.004.06, VN.004.13, VN.004.14 • 48 eggs; same data as for holotype; ISEA PAS, slides VN.004.07 to VN.004.12 .</p><p>Description</p><p>Animals</p><p>Body transparent in juveniles and whitish in adults; after fixation in Hoyer’s medium, the body becomes transparent (Fig. 22). Eyes present in alive and Hoyer-fixed specimens. Cuticular pores are scattered randomly over the entire body surface (Figs 22–23), being more sparsely distributed on the ventral side. Pores are roundish to oval and similar in size (0.6–0.1 μm in diameter). Granulation is present over the entire body cuticle, being denser in the dorso-caudal region; however, it is clearly visible only under SEM (Fig. 23). Under PCM, body granulation is discernible only in the dorso-caudal part of the body (Fig. 22). In addition to the more or less evenly distributed body granulation, two dense patches of granulation are present on the left and right sides of the caudal body portion, between the main body trunk and the terminal body segment (Figs 22–23). Distinct granulation patches are also present on the external surfaces of legs I–III (Figs 24–25), whereas on the internal surfaces granulation occurs only on legs II–III (Figs 24–25). Dense and distinct granulation is also present on the lateral and dorsal surfaces of leg IV (Figs 24–25). On the internal surface of legs I–III, a pulvinus-shaped cuticular bulge is centrally located, and a faint cuticular fold occurs in the distal portion of the legs just above the claws (Figs 24– 25). Both structures are visible only when the legs are fully extended and properly oriented on the slide.</p><p>Claws small and slender, of the hufelandi type (Fig. 26). Primary branches bear distinct accessory points, a common tract, and a well-developed stalk connecting the claw to the lunula (Fig. 26). Lunulae on legs I–IV are smooth (Fig. 26). A divided cuticular bar and double muscle attachments occur above claws I–III but are very poorly visible (Figs 24–26).</p><p>Mouth antero-ventral. Bucco-pharyngeal apparatus of the Macrobiotus type (Fig. 27), with a ventral lamina and ten small peribuccal lamellae followed by six buccal sensory lobes. Under PCM, the OCA is of the maculatus type, with the first and second bands of teeth not visible (Fig. 27); however, all three bands are clearly discernible under SEM (Fig. 27). The first band of teeth consists of numerous extremely small cones arranged in a single row, located anteriorly in the oral cavity on the bases of the peribuccal lamellae and immediately posterior to them (Fig. 27). The second band of teeth is situated between the ring fold and the third band and is composed of several rows of small, sparsely distributed cones, larger than those of the first band (Fig. 27). The third band of teeth is located in the posterior portion of the oral cavity, between the second band and the opening of the buccal tube (Fig. 27); it is discontinuous and divided into dorsal and ventral portions. Under PCM, the dorsal and ventral teeth appear as a single transverse ridge, each with two dark thickenings (Fig. 27). Under SEM, the dorsal and ventral portions are clearly distinguishable: the dorsal portion forms a continuous ridge bearing two peaks (teeth), whereas the ventral portion is composed of two larger lateral teeth and one smaller median tooth (Fig. 27). The pharyngeal bulb is spherical, with triangular apophyses, two rod-shaped macroplacoids, and a small triangular microplacoid (Fig. 27). The macroplacoid length sequence is 2&lt;1, with the first and second macroplacoids constricted centrally and subterminally, respectively, the latter constriction being extremely delicate (Fig. 27). Measurements and morphometric statistics of the animals are provided in Table 8.</p><p>Eggs</p><p>Eggs laid freely, white, spherical to slightly ovoid (Figs 28–29). The surface between egg processes is of the hufelandi type, i.e. covered with a reticulum (Figs 28–29). The reticular mesh is composed of distinct pores (0.4–0.6 μm in diameter), the diameter of which is usually similar to the width of the nodes and bars forming the mesh, giving the reticulum a robust appearance (Figs 28–29). Interbasal meshes are usually larger than peribasal meshes; however, the peribasal meshes do not form distinct rings around the bases of the egg processes (Figs 28–29). Under PCM, dark thickenings can be distinguished around the bases of the egg processes, which under SEM correspond to the portions linking the reticulum with the walls of the egg processes (Figs 28–29). Egg processes are of inverted goblet shape, with slightly concave trunks and concave terminal discs (Figs 28–29). Terminal discs are round and strongly serrated to moderately dentate (Figs 28–29). Each terminal disc has a distinct concave central area, which may contain scattered granulation. Granulation is also consistently present on the serrated margins or teeth of the terminal discs (Figs 28–29). Measurements and morphometric statistics of the eggs are provided in Table 9.</p><p>Reproduction</p><p>The type population of M. hoianicus sp. nov. is dioecious. Both males with testes filled with sperm and females with ovaries containing oocytes were observed in specimens freshly mounted in Hoyer’s medium.</p><p>Differential diagnosis</p><p>By having (i) patches of dense cuticular granulation on the body in areas other than the legs, (ii) the first band of teeth in the OCA not visible in light microscopy, (iii) eggs with processes of inverted goblet shape bearing terminal discs lacking flexible filaments, and (iv) an egg surface between processes covered by a reticulum, the new species is most similar to only one species of Macrobiotus: Macrobiotus kamilae Coughlan &amp; Stec, 2019, known so far only from India (Coughlan &amp; Stec 2019). However, the new species differs from M. kamilae in several diagnostic characters: (i) the presence of only a single patch of granulation located on the dorso-lateral cuticle of the caudal body region (three distinct granulation patches present on the dorso-lateral cuticle in M. kamilae); (ii) the absence of granulation on the internal surface of leg I (granulation present in M. kamilae); (iii) the presence of smooth lunulae on the hind legs (lunulae dentate in M. kamilae); (iv) a narrower buccal tube (external and internal widths 1.8–3.8 μm and 0.9–2.0 μm in the new species vs 4.1–6.0 μm and 2.4–4.3 μm in M. kamilae); (v) a shorter second macroplacoid (1.7–4.6 μm in the new species vs 4.8–8.0 μm in M. kamilae); and (vi) a shorter placoid row (7.9–16.8 μm in the new species vs 17.1–26.7 μm in M. kamilae).</p><p>Phylogeny</p><p>Both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses produced trees with highly similar topologies and well-supported clades (Fig. 30), reflecting congruent relationships within Macrobiotidae clade I (sensu Stec et al. 2021a). All four new species described in this study were recovered within the genus Macrobiotus and were consistently placed within Macrobiotus clade C (sensu Stec et al. 2021a). Within clade C, M. hoianicus sp. nov. is recovered as sister to all remaining taxa in the clade. Macrobiotus witalinskii sp. nov. forms a clade with Macrobiotus porifini Kuzdrowska, Mioduchowska, Gawlak, Bartylak, A. Kepel, M. Kepel &amp; Kaczmarek, 2021 and M. kristenseni, with M. kristenseni being its closest relative. Macrobiotus surmaczi sp. nov. clusters with Macrobiotus noongaris Coughlan &amp; Stec, 2019 and Macrobiotus scoticus Stec, Morek, Gąsiorek, Blagden &amp; Michalczyk, 2017, with M. scoticus recovered as its sister species. Macrobiotus dalaticus sp. nov. forms a clade with Macrobiotus paulinae Stec, Smolak, Kaczmarek &amp; Michalczyk, 2015 and M. kamilae, with M. kamilae recovered as its sister species. In all analyses, each of the newly described species formed a well-supported, distinct monophyletic lineage, corroborating their delineation as separate species-level taxa (Fig. 30).</p></div>	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/0F08B57D2948B82EFD89FEE3E60D74C1	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Stec, Daniel	Stec, Daniel (2026): Integrative taxonomy reveals four new species in the superdiverse genus Macrobiotus (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Macrobiotidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 1055: 1-57, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2026.1055.3277, URL: https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/3277/14474
