Population |
Description |
Source |
Contributor |
Type series |
-
Habitus
Body yellowish (before and
after preparation). Eyes were absent in 5 of the 7 examined
individuals (=71%, including the male), after mounting in Hoyer’s
medium.
-
Cuticle
Cuticle without granulation or pores, but the dorsum covered with
numerous tiny and shallow polygonal or rounded depressions
(pseudopores), 0.1-0.4 µm in diameter. These depressions, visible
under PCM as light spots with undefined edges, are a manifestation
of a fine reticulum, therefore placing the species within the
granulatum group. Weak sculpturing is also present on the outer
surfaces of all legs. Two cephalic papillae positioned laterally.
-
Buccal
apparatus
Six peribuccal papillae (ventral papilla smallest)
and six peribuccal lamellae around the mouth
opening.
Bucco-pharyngeal apparatus of the Milnesium type. Buccal tube
slightly funnel-shaped, wider anteriorly (on average the posterior
diameter is 92% of the anterior diameter). Pharyngeal bulb
elongated, pear-shaped and without placoids or septulum.
-
Legs and claws
Claws of the Milnesium
type, slender. Primary branches on all legs with small, but distinct
accessory points detaching from the branch at its greatest
curvature. Secondary claws of all legs without rounded basal
thickenings. Secondary branches of external claws I-III and
posterior claws IV with two points, and secondary branches of
internal claws I-III and anterior claws IV with three points (i.e.
claw configuration: [2-3]-[3-2]). Single, long transversal,
cuticular bars under claws I-III present.
-
Eggs
Not found.
-
Remarks
One found male was generally similar to the females. However, apart
from the diagnostic secondary sexual trait in this genus (secondary
branches of claws I in the shape of large and robust hooks), the
male also differed from the females of this species by a narrower
buccal tube and shorter papillae, both in absolute and relative
terms.
Although the majority of specimens had a typical claw configuration
[2-3]-[3-2], two females exhibited minor claw abnormalities. One
female had small basal spurs on external claws I-III and posterior
claws IV ([3-3]-[3-3]) and the other female had small basal spurs on
posterior claws IV only ([2-3]-[3-3]). These basal spurs were always
less curved (sometimes completely straight) and smaller than those
on other claws (<2.0 µm vs. >3.0 µm) and thus could be without doubt
be classified as developmental aberrations. Nevertheless, the
presence of such claw abnormalities highlights the importance of
examining a number of Milnesium specimens to ensure correct
identifications.
|
Kaczmarek
et al. (2012) |
£. Michalczyk,
£. Kaczmarek |
Sample |
Coordinates |
Altitude |
Location name |
Substrate |
Collection date |
Source |
Contributor |
Turkey.0
(locus typicus) |
37°14'52''N
31°55'42''E |
1480 m asl |
Turkey, Konya Province,
the
Tinaztepe Mağarasi cave |
moss from
stone |
09.2011 |
Kaczmarek
et al. (2012) |
£. Michalczyk,
£. Kaczmarek |