Echiniscus nepalensis Dastych, 1975

Li, Xiaochen, Wang, Lizhi, Liu, Ying & Su, Lina, 2005, A new species and five new records of the family Echiniscidae (Tardigrada) from China, Zootaxa 1093 (1), pp. 25-33 : 28

Echiniscus nepalensis Dastych, 1975 ( Fig. 2A )

Material examined: Six specimens were collected from Mount Taibai at 3,720 m a.s.l.

Description: Eyespots present. Cuticular sculpture consists of many small polygonal depressions distributed irregularly, varying in size. Median plate III absent.

Remarks: Our specimens are different from the specimens from the Himalayas by the second median plate transversely divided into a smooth anterior part and a posterior part decorated with the usual sculpture. The type locality of this species is the Himalayas, Nepal ( Dastych, 1975). It was also collected in some localities of New Zealand ( Ramazzotti & Maucci, 1983). It has never been reported from China before.

Figures

FIGURE 2. A, habitus of Echiniscus nepalensis; B, habitus of E. trisetosus; C, habitus of Pseudechiniscus asper (A–C: phase contrast). Scale bars = 50 m.