Dactylobiotus luci, a new freshwater tardigrade (Eutardigrada: Macrobiotidae) from the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda

Abstract

A new freshwater eutardigrade, Dactylobiotus luci sp. nov., is described from a permanent marsh pool (Zaphania’s Pool) at 4225 m elevation in the Alpine zone of the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda. The new species is most similar to D. dervizi Biserov, 1998 in the shape of the egg processes, absence of papillae and absence of eyes, but differs from it mainly by a different appearance of macroplacoids, by having tips of the egg processes usually sharp, not divided and more slender, and by several  morphometric characters of eggs and adults. The new species was found in fairly acidic (pH<6) Sphagnum-Carex fens bordering/extending into the pool. So far, it has only been recorded in one other high-elevation water body in Rwenzori in a similar habitat.

Key words: Tardigrada, Dactylobiotus dervizi, Dactylobiotus luci , alpine pool, Rwenzori, Uganda.