Dipodarctus sp.

Fujimoto, Shinta, 2015, Halechiniscidae (Heterotardigrada, Arthrotardigrada) of Oura Bay, Okinawajima, Ryukyu Islands, with descriptions of three new species, ZooKeys 483, pp. 149-166 : 150

Taxon classification Animalia Arthrotardigrada Halechiniscidae

Dipodarctus sp. Fig. 1

Material examined.

Two four-clawed juveniles found in sediment sample 4 (Table 1).

Remarks.

The species resembles Dipodarctus borrori Pollock, 1995 and Dipodarctus susannae Jørgensen, Boesgaard, Møbjerg & Kristensen, 2014 by having digits of unequal length on legs I–III and the lack of lateral processes between legs III and IV. It is distinguished from the two species by the lateral cirrus lack of scapus, which is present in the both Dipodarctus borrori and Dipodarctus susannae . It is also distinguished from Dipodarctus borrori by the shorter digit 1 of legs I–III and from Dipodarctus susannae by its shorter papillate leg IV sense organ. These observations are based on comparing juveniles with descriptions of adults so while this species is probably an undescribed species observation of an adult specimen is required for confirmation.