Tardigrades of North Carolina
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View PDFMacrobiotidae Members: 375 NC Records

Macrobiotus martini Bartels, Pilato, Lisi & Nelson, 2009 - No Common Name


Habitus, lateral, DIC
Taxonomy
Class: EutardigradaOrder: Parachela Family: Macrobiotidae Checklist Number: 1790.0 Synonym: Murrayon n. sp. (Bartels et al. 2021)
Taxonomic Comments: This is a new species discovered in the GSMNP reported in Bartels et al. 2009. It is named in honor of Robert Martin, founder of Martin Microscopes, in appreciation of his long-term support of tardigrade research through the loan of microscopes and in particular for his enthusiasm in displaying tardigrades in his microscopy exhibits at regional meetings, especially the Association of Southeastern Biologists and early meetings of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory in the GSMNP.
Species Notes: Terrestrial. So far only observed in the GSMNP and Asheville area. Apparently a Southern Appalachian endemic.
Identification
Online resources:Online Photographs: Google, GBIF                                                                                 
Species Description: Colorless; cuticle with pores, some of which are elliptical and very large; granules on the legs present; large eyes present; buccal armature in oral cavity very simple, without bands of teeth, and with only two dorsal and two ventral thin transverse ridges present (mediodorsal and medioventral ridges absent); buccal tube narrow; stylet supports inserted on the buccal tube at 73.4-74.9% of its length; two macroplacoids and small microplacoid present. Claws of the hufelandi-type; accessory points and lunules present. Eggs of the hufelandi-type with processes in the shape of inverted goblets with a terminal disc, which has a generally convex central portion, and the egg shell with a large-mesh reticulation.
-Bartels et al. 2009
Body Length: 280-450 microns.
Key Characters: Large eyes, cuticle with large elliptical pores (up to 3 microns), thin buccal tube without teeth, and egg morphology.
Key Character Images
ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of key characters or by DNA analysis.
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 and lichen, less commonly rock moss and lichen and soil.
Abundance: Abundant. This species makes up 7.43% of terrestrial specimens collected in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Bartels' inveontory.
Diet: Probably omnivorous.
Reproduction: Ornamented eggs deposited externally.
Observation Methods: PC and DIC.
Wikipedia

 Photo Gallery for Macrobiotus martini - No common name

Photos: 15

Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Egg processes, PC Bartels et al. 2009		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Claw III, PC Bartels et al. 2009		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Postero-lateral cuticle showing pores, PC. Bartels et al. 2009		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Head, PC Bartels et al. 2009		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Buccal apparatus, PC Bartels et al. 2009
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Cuticle detail showing pore shape, DIC. 		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Posterior showing pore size, DIC.
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Habitus, lateral, DIC		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Head, lateral, DIC.
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Head, PC.		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Egg, PC.
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Egg, DIC.