A Preliminary Account of the Tardigrades of Newfoundland

This is the first published report of tardigrades in Newfoundland and Labrador. Twenty-six species have been identified so far, including four new records for Canada and one new record for North America. Although there is some overlap of species with those found in earlier Canadian studies, there are some interesting discrepancies. The rare occurrence and restricted distribution of the very few heterotardigrades (three species and 30 specimens) found so far in Newfoundland is noteworthy, as is the occurrence of several tardigrade species whose former records have been mainly for Greenland. It appears the environmental conditions in Newfoundland can support a number of species that would normally be restricted to a more northerly distribution. A comparison of the species found in Newfoundland with those of a number of other northern countries suggests that the Newfoundland species are most similar to those found in Greenland and mainland Canada.