New species of macrobiotidae (eutardigrada) from cameroon (africa), characteristics of macrobiotus morpho-groups and a key to the nelsonae group

In a moss sample from Cameroon a few specimens and eggs of a new species of tardigrade were found. Macrobiotus stanislausi sp. nov. belongs to the Macrobiotus nelsonae morpho-group and is most similar to Mac. ragonesei. However, it differs from Mac. ragonesei mainly by the shape of the egg processes and the absence of annulations on process endings. A dichotomous key for Macrobiotus nelsonae morpho-group is also proposed. Moreover, the genus Macrobiotus is divided into 12 morpho-groups based on morphology of the eggs to facilitate future taxonomic research on this genus.