An integrative description of a new tardigrade species Mesobiotus romani sp. nov. (Macrobiotidae: harmsworthi group) from the Ecuadorian Pacific coast

In a mixed moss and lichen sample collected in Esmeraldas Province in north-western Ecuador, 20 tardigrades and 11 eggs, belonging to a new species of the genus Mesobiotus, were found. In addition to the traditional taxonomic description with morphometrics, light and scanning microscopy imaging, we also provide nucleotide sequences of three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2) and one mitochondrial (COI) DNA fragments of the new species. Based on the egg chorion morphology, Mesobiotus romani sp. nov. is the most similar to: M. binieki, M. coronatus, M. dimentmani, M. patiens, M. perfidus, M. philippinicusi, M. pseudoblocki, M. pseudocoronatus, M. pseudopatiens, M. radiatus, M. rigidus, M. simulans and M. wuzhishanensis, but differs mainly by some specific characters of both egg and adult morphology, and morphometrics.

Extraction of 137cs from Cetraria islandica lichen using acid solutions

The extraction of 137Cs sorbed in samples of C. islandica using acid solutions was investigated. An equation describing the reduction of the 137Cs content in a dry lichen sample with the number of volumes of acid solutions used for successive extractions was used. The possibility of the existence of two different types of sorption of 137Cs in the lichen was confirmed. Acid rains were shown to influence the extraction of 137Cs. .

Ramazzottius bunikowskae, a new species of Tardigrada (Eutardigrada, Hypsibiidae) from Russia

A new species, Ramazzottius bunikowskae sp. nov. is described from a lichen sample collected in Russia. The new species is the most similar to R. caucasicus Biserov, and R. tribulosus Bertolani & Rebecchi in the shape of the egg processes but it differs from these species by some differences in the egg processes’ appearance and measurements and also by measurements of some structures in adult specimens. We also provide first observations of peribuccal lobes, papillae and porous areas on the head (possibly external parts of chemoreceptors) in the genus Ramazzottius.

Extraction of 137Cs from cetraria islandica lichen with water

Extraction of 137Cs sorbed in samples of C. islandica using distilled water was investigated. An equation desrcribing the reduction of the 137Cs content in a dry lichen sample by the number of water volumes used for successive extractions was defined. The possibilities of the existence of two different types of 137Cs sorption in the lichen was established.