Tardigrades of North Carolina
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View PDFHypsibiidae Members: 76 NC Records

Diphascon higginsi Binda, 1971 - No Common Name


Habitus, ventral (DIC)
Taxonomy
Class: EutardigradaOrder: Parachela Family: HypsibiidaeSubfamily: Diphasconinae Checklist Number: 1160.0
Taxonomic Comments: Morphologically identical to species originally described in N.Africa. No molecular evidence for further comparison. Family designation follows Tumanov & Tsvetkova (2023).
Species Notes: Terrestrial. Only recorded from WV, TN and NC in US.
Identification
Online resources:Online Photographs: Google, GBIF                                                                                 
Species Description: Maximum length 427 µm. Without eyes; cuticle smooth. Rigid part of the buccal tube, which is prolonged a little further than the attachment of the stylet supports and without the small enlargement of “drop” shape. Pharyngeal tube almost as long as the pharynx or scarcely longer and very narrow (about 2 µm). Pharynx elongated oval, with length:width ratio of 1.6:1, containing apophyses, 3 macroplacoids, microplacoid, and septula. The 1st and 2nd macroplacoids are equally long and the 3rd (in an animal 427 µm long, they measure from 1st to 3rd: 3.7, 5.8, 8.4 µm). Bases of the claws expanded, with basal margins enlarged and dentate on the 4th pair, while they are slightly notched or smooth on the first three pair. On the first three pair of legs exists a cuticular bar at the base of the claws. The principal difference o this species from nobillei consists of: septula present - pharyngeal tube as long as or a little more than the pharynx - lacking the “drop” and the eyes - less development of the claws. D. higginsi, which is probably an aquatic species was collected in damp moss at Oukalmeden (Mariakeeh at 2,500 m altitude, Atlante Peak, North Africa).
- Ramazzotti & Maucci 1983

Length 268 - 377 µm. The body is white, cuticle smooth. No eyes. Mouth and pharyngeal tube 54 µm long, 1.5 - 1.8 µm wide. Some specimens with tiny thickening (about 0.5 µm in size) instead of drop-shaped structure; other ones without it, and the connection between these tubes is smooth. Pharynx elongated (31 x 19 µm) with distinct apophyses, three macroplacoids of increasing size, microplacoid and septulum (Fig. 125E, Pl. XXIXe, g). The length of macroplacoids: 1st - 3.5 µm, 2nd - 4.0 µm, 3rd - 6.5 µm; their width 1 µm (measurements in a specimen 268 µm long). At the inner claw bases on 1-3 pairs of legs there occur cuticular bars; no transversal bars are developed between bases of outer and inner claws. The claws are slender, with elongated main branches and accessory spines (Fig. 125F, G, Pl. XXIXf). On the posterior edge of broad bases of outer claws o IVth pair minute teeth were observed (Fig. 125G). These claws are 15 µm long; their main branches are 10 µm in length. Rare lowland species (Fig. 143), known in Poland from a few widely dispersed localities (Fig. 123). A Palearctic element. - -Dastych 1988
Body Length: Maximum 427 microns
Key Characters: Very small "drop" on buccal tube, three rows of macroplacoids 1<2<3, microplacoids and septulum present, dentate claw bases, and claw bars I-III.
Key Character Images
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Tree moss, but also found in soil, and rarely in all other habitat types.
Abundance: Common. This species makes up 1.03% of terrestrial specimens collected in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Bartels inventory.
Diet: Microbivore
Reproduction: Smooth eggs laid in exuvium.
Observation Methods: PC, DIC microscopy.
Wikipedia

 Photo Gallery for Diphascon higginsi - No common name

Photos: 5

Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Habitus, DIC		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Habitus, ventral (DIC)
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Habitus, dorsal (DIC)		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Claws IV, DIC
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Buccal apparatus, DIC