Revealing the diversity of a once small taxon: the genus
Selenoribates (Acari,Oribatida, Selenoribatidae) |
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Authors: | Tobias Pfingstl |
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Institution: | 1.Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences Inc. (BIOS), 17 Biological Lane, St. George’s GE 01, Bermuda ; 2.Institute of Zoology, University Graz, Universitaetsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria |
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Abstract: | Three new intertidal oribatid species, Selenoribates elegans
sp. n., Selenoribates quasimodo
sp. n. and Selenoribates satanicus
sp. n. are described from the archipelago of Bermuda. Selenoribates elegans
sp. n. is characterized by its slender body shape, Selenoribates quasimodo
sp. n. possesses a hunchback in lateral view and Selenoribates satanicus
sp. n. exhibits two horn-like projections on its anterior gastronotic region. Based on these new findings, the number of Selenoribates species doubled at once and the distribution of this genus, formerly limited to the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, includes now occurrences in the Atlantic and Indo-pacific Ocean as well. The morphology of Selenoribates quasimodo
sp. n. and Selenoribates satanicus
sp. n. deviates conspicuously from the other known members of Selenoribates, thus indicating that not only the number of species but also the anatomy of this genus is more diverse than formerly supposed. Nymphs of Selenoribates quasimodo
sp. n. show an interesting case of ontogenetic neotrichy, with gastronotic setae being duplicated with each moult. |
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Keywords: | Bermuda intertidal juvenile instars Selenoribates biogeography |
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