Tardigrades of North Carolina
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View PDFMacrobiotidae Members: 263 NC Records

Mesobiotus n. species - No Common Name


Habitus, DIC
Taxonomy
Class: EutardigradaOrder: Parachela Family: Macrobiotidae Checklist Number: 1830.0 Synonym: Mesobiotus n. species
Taxonomic Comments: This is a probable new species discovered in the GSMNP. Needs fresh material for complete description.
Species Notes: Terrestrial. Possible S. App. endemic. Some old records of Mesobiotus harmsworthi couild be this species.
Identification
Online resources:Online Photographs: Google, GBIF                                                                                 
Species Description: The genus Mesobiotus is characterized by three roundish macroplacoids in a curved line with a microplacoid very near the end of the 2nd macroplacoid. The species we find in the Smokies and surrounds has a smooth dorsal cuticle, smooth claw lunules, and no visible leg granulations. The eggs lack areolation and have a crown of dots around processes, similar to Mesobiotus coronatus.
Body Length: Unknown.
Key Characters: Smooth cuticle, smooth lunules, eggs with dots but lacking aereolation around processes
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: Predominantly soil/leaf litter. Also found less commonly in all other habitat types.
Abundance: Abundant. This species makes up 5.13% of terrestrial specimens collected in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Bartels' inventory.
Diet: Carnivorous or omnivorous.
Reproduction: Ornamented eggs deposited externally.
Observation Methods: DIC and PC.
Wikipedia

 Photo Gallery for Mesobiotus n. species - No common name

Photos: 13

Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Egg, PC		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Egg, DIC
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Egg, DIC		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Egg detail, DIC
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Habitus, female with eggs, DIC		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Anterio-lateral, DIC
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Head, DIC		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Claws IV, DIC
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Habitus, DIC		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Head, DIC
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Habitus, DIC		Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Buccal apparatus, DIC
Recorded by: Bartels on 2003-07-15
Haywood Co.
Comment: Claw IV, DIC