This dataset contains the digitized treatments in Plazi based on the original journal article Leong, Weng-I, Yu, Jr-Kai, Tsai, Isheng Jason, Kaczmarek, Łukasz, Lee, Yi-Chien, Lin, Chung-Ping (2024): Echiniscus gemmatus sp. nov. (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae; the spinulosus morphogroup) from Macau, China. Zootaxa 5551 (2): 333-352, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5551.2.5, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5551.2.5

Abstract

The study of tardigrades in urban environments, particularly in natural areas within cities, has been significantly overlooked. A recent discovery of a new species of tardigrade in lichens collected from Mong Há Hill Municipal Park in Macau provides new insights into the population of tardigrades within the city. Echiniscus gemmatus sp. nov. was identified based on distinct morphological characters, morphometric measurements, and DNA sequences of nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-1, and ITS-2), as well as a mitochondrial (COI) markers. Our research indicates that Ech. gemmatus sp. nov. belongs to the Echiniscus spinulosus morphogroup and is most similar to Ech. tropicalis, as confirmed by both qualitative characters and DNA barcoding. Notably, Echiniscus gemmatus sp. nov. exhibits distinct characteristics that differentiate it from other members of the Ech. spinulosus morphogroup, including (1) often asymmetrical short spines B, C, Cd, Dd, and E, and (2) larger and more visible pores tend to be concentrated in the median and posterior portions of the first and second paired plates, with their visibility gradually decreasing towards the anterior and lateral suture regions.

GBIF url: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/8d1e6521-1fff-4148-9f74-9c60aa362131
Homepage: https://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/summary/BA14FFAEFFB3FFD31E4CFF9D3359FF89
Citation: Leong W, Yu J, Tsai I J, Kaczmarek Ł, Lee Y, Lin C, plazi (2024). Echiniscus gemmatus sp. nov. (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae; the spinulosus morphogroup) from Macau, China. Plazi.org taxonomic treatments database. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/b52nk6 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-02-12.