Macrobiotus kovalevi, a new species of Tardigrada from New Zealand (Eutadigrada, Macrobiotidae)

Three species of the family Macrobiotidae ( Tardigrada) were extracted from mosses collected in New Zealand. One of them, Macrobiotus kovalevi, is new for science. It is similar to the species from the harmsworthi and furciger-orcadensis groups of the genus Macrobiotus. The new species differs from all known species of these groups by the structure of the buccal armature ( very short medio-dorsal ridge and the absence of typically developed teeth) and the unique structure of the egg chorion. In the same sample Macrobiotus cf. coronatus De Barros and Calcarobiotus ( Discrepunguis) sp. were found.