Macrobiotus
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| Macrobiotus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Macrobiotus shonaicus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Tardigrada |
| Class: | Eutardigrada |
| Order: | Parachela |
| Family: | Macrobiotidae |
| Genus: | Macrobiotus C.A.S. Schultze, 1834 |
| Type species | |
| Macrobiotus hufelandi C.A.S. Schultze, 1834 | |
Macrobiotus is a genus of tardigrades consisting of about 100 species within the family Macrobiotidae.[1] Of genera within the phylum Tardigrada, Macrobiotus is one of the most species-abundant.[2] Macrobiotus hufelandi, identified by German researcher Carl August Sigismund Schultze in 1834, is recognized as the first taxonomically named tardigrade species.[3][4] By extension, Macrobiotus was the first ever described tardigrade genus. Macrobiotus shares similarities to other tardigrade genera, particularly in moulting a non-living cuticle over multiple life stages and robust stress tolerance mechanisms.[5] However, Macrobiotus tends to be differentiated from other tardigrades by being one of few genera that freely lay ornamented eggs in reproduction. This genera has a relatively diverse distribution in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.[6]
Claws
Macrobiotus species commonly exhibit uniform diploclaws on their legs.[2]
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Cuticle
Macrobiotus belong to the clade Ecdysozoa, characterized for non-living cuticle layers that can be moulted over various life stages.[5] This cuticular exoskeleton layer facilitates gas and water exchange. Protective benefits of the cuticle typically outweigh the energy costs required to moult.
Nervous System
Macrobiotus neurons innervate a brain with inner and outer connectives, the latter connecting the brain to the trunk.[7] Anterior leg nerves, posterior leg nerves, and peripheral nerves branch off of trunk ganglia. Connectives bridge adjacent trunk ganglia, and interpedal commissures bridge adjacent connectives.
Other Physiological Features
Many Macrobiotus species also share a firm buccal tube containing a ventral lamina without a ventral hook, a pharynx with one microplacoid and two macroplacoids, and tend to exhibit 10 peribuccal lamellae.[2]
Habitat and Distribution
Habitat
Macrobiotus tend to inhabit limnoterrestrial habitats primarily consisting of mosses, though some Macrobiotus have also been discovered near lichens or aquatic plants.[6][8] Some species of Macrobiotus are obligatory freshwater invertebrates.[9]
| Continent | Region |
|---|---|
| Africa | South West Africa[10] |
| Tanzania[10] | |
| Antarctica | Sub-Antarctic Islands[8] |
| Asia | China[11] |
| Israel[12] | |
| Kyrgyzstan[13] | |
| Malaysia[14] | |
| Europe | Finland[15] |
| Germany[3][4] | |
| Portugal[16] | |
| Sweden[17] | |
| North America | Canada[2] |
| Greenland[12] | |
| South America | Brazil[6] |
| French Guiana[14] |
Diet
Macrobiotus sapiens is an example of a herbivorous diet consisting of algae.[18][19]
