Integrative Description of a New Freshwater Tardigrade Species, Dactylobiotus taiwanensis (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Murrayidae), Discovered Through Social Media
This study presents the integrative description of Dactylobiotus taiwanensis sp. nov., a new freshwater tardigrade species serendipitously discovered via social media. Light and scanning electron microscopy, combined with DNA barcoding, revealed clear diagnostic characters distinguishing the new species from closely related members of the genus Dactylobiotus. To resolve persistent taxonomic confusion, we designate two poorly characterized species as nomina dubia and provide an updated dichotomous key for Dactylobiotus. Detailed morphometric analyses, SEM images, and a multilocus phylogeny provide new insight into species delimitation and relationships within the family Murrayidae. Our findings demonstrate that social media can serve as a useful tool for identifying overlooked or novel biodiversity elements. This discovery adds to the known diversity of Taiwanese tardigrades and underscores the value of combining morphological and molecular data in meiofaunal research.
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