Tardigrades of North Carolina
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View PDFStyraconyxidae Members: 1 NC Records

Tholoarctus natans natans Kristensen & Renaud-Mornant, 1983 - No Common Name



Habitus, DIC
Taxonomy
Class: HeterotardigradaOrder: "Arthrotardigrades" Family: Styraconyxidae Checklist Number: 2320.0
Taxonomic Comments: This genus contains only two species. Tholarctus natans is divided into two subspecies, T. natans natans and T. natans pedunculatus.
Species Notes: Marine. Tholarctus natans natans has been reported widely around the world, while T. n. pedunculatus is known only from the Mediterranean Sea.
Identification
Online resources:Online Photographs: Google, GBIF                                                                                 
Species Description: External epicuticle bell-shaped, body elongated, thin: complete complement of cephallic appendages. Primary clavae ovoid, secondary clavae expanded ventrally. Coxal setae (leg sense organs) only present on P1; P4 with papilla. Cirri A and E with funnel-shaped cirrophore, into which part of the scapus can be retracted. Three-hook claws, very fine accessory hooks; males and juveniles may have simple claws on outer digits. Oral tube with tweo lateral protrusions at mid-length. Long, thin stylet holders and non-segmented stylets on the buccal tube. Reduced or missing placoids; only two small round apodemes are found at the anterior part of the pharyngeal bulb.
-Kristensen & Renaud-Mornant 1983
Body Length: 110-170 microns.
Key Characters: Thin bell-shaped epicuticle surrounding body. Differs from T. olesni which has sense organs on P1,2,3 and 4. Differs from T. natans pedunculatus by the absence of eyespots and peduncles only on external digits in T. natans natans.
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: Deep sea fine sand.
Abundance: Unknown.
Diet: Unknown.
Reproduction: Unknown.
Observation Methods: Unknown.
Wikipedia

 Photo Gallery for Tholoarctus natans natans - No common name

Photos: 4

Recorded by: Mobjerg on 1974-05-15
Carteret Co.
Comment: Habitus, DIC
Recorded by: Mobjerg on 1974-05-15
Carteret Co.
Comment: Male dorsal. Drawing by Kristensen & Renaud-Mornannt 1983
Recorded by: Mobjerg on 1974-05-15
Carteret Co.
Comment: Female ventral. Drawing by Kristensen & Renaud-Mornannt 1983
Recorded by: Mobjerg on 1974-05-15
Carteret Co.
Comment: Foot. Drawing by Kristensen & Renaud-Mornannt 1983