The genus Macrobiotus |
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Macrobiotus water bear. Anterior part of the body. Image width ca. 150µm |
The water bear genus Macrobiotus was established by
C.A.S. Schultze from Greifswald, Germany, in 1834. He described
the first species Macrobiotus hufelandi within the new genus.
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The form and symmetry of the claws are considered as the most important characteristics of the genus Macrobiotus: |
Claws of a Macrobiotus water bear. Redrawn on the basis of an illustration by Ernst Marcus (see literature). |
Furthermore the elements of the buccal system are valuable taxonomic properties: |
Buccal system of a Macrobiotus water bear (Macrobiotus cf. hufelandi).
Explanations: |
Macrobiotus water bears move faster than the red Echiniscus water bears. Their body appears to be transparent or white (in incident light). Some of them can have a grey or brownish colour, but they are never red like those Echiniscus water bears on the title image of the WB web base. In 1986 Walter Maucci (see literature) counted 93 different species within the genus Macrobiotus worldwide. |
Typical Macrobiotus tardigrade |
© Photomicrographs and illustration by Martin Mach Back to: |
Literature:
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