Phylogenetic position of the enigmatic Antarctic tardigrade genus Ramajendas was clarified using specimens from King George Island, Antarctic. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed a close affinity of Ramajendas to the superfamily Isohypsibioidea. At the same time, its standalone position within this clade prompted the erection of a new family Ramajendidae fam. nov. A detailed morphological description of the available specimens is given, and the diagnosis of the genus Ramajendas is amended. Taxonomical status of several previous findings of Ramajendas spp. in West Antarctica is discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)217-231
Number of pages15
JournalZoologica Scripta
Volume51
Issue number2
Early online date5 Dec 2021
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2022

    Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Genetics
  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Molecular Biology

    Research areas

  • Eutardigrada, Isohypsibioidea, Tardigrada, phylogeny, taxonomy, PILATO, PHYLUM TARDIGRADA, DASTYCH, LEVEL, LINEAGES, CYCLOMORPHOSIS, SEQUENCE ALIGNMENT, GENES, HYPSIBIIDAE, CALOHYPSIBIIDAE

ID: 89157303