A New Species of Tanarctus (Heterotardigrada: Arthrotardigrada: Tanarctidae) from Oku-Matsushima, Japan

Abstract

Tanarctus ittanmomen sp. nov. (Heterotardigrada: Arthrotardigrada: Tanarctidae) is described based on specimens collected at Ohama Beach, Miyato-jima, Oku-Matsushima, Japan. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by its characteristic leg IV appendages. Each appendage consists of one long main branch, usually more than double the body length, with varying numbers of flexible, mostly long secondary branches. All branches have blunt tips.