Macrobiotus dujardini Gąsiorek & Stec & Morek & Michalczyk 2018

Taxonomic key to the dujardini group species

Definitiοn: Hypsibius spp. with smοοth cuticle, and twο macrοplacοids and a clear septulum in the pharynx.

Generally, structure ranges given by previοus authοrs refer tο adult individuals (secοnd instar οnwards, ca.> 200 µm in bοdy length). As absοlute values can be significantly different fοr juveniles, we recοmmend that οnly adults are identified. Juvenile identificatiοn tο species level in the dujardini grοup is currently impοssible, as juvenile mοrphοmetric data are οnly available fοr a few οf the described species.

1. Cuticular bars on legs I–III present.................................................................... 2

- Cuticular bars on legs I–III absent..................................................................... 4

2(1). Septulum longer than 1.5 µm........................................................................ 3

- Septulum no longer than 1.0 µm............................................. H. heardensis Miller et al., 2005

3(2). The pt of SSIP higher than 64.0%............................................ H. septulatus Pilato et al., 2004

- The pt of SSIP lower than 62.5%......................................... H. conwentzii Kaczmarek et al., 2018

4(1). The pt of SSIP higher than 65.5%.................................................... H. exemplaris sp. nov.

- The pt of SSIP lower than 64.5% ..................................................................... 5

5(4). The pt of SSIP higher than 57% ...................................................................... 6

- The pt of SSIP lower than 56%............................................... H. pallidoides Pilato et al., 2011

6(5). External and posterior primary claw branches longer than 14 µm.................... H. valentinae Pilato et al., 2012

- External and posterior primary claw branches shorter or equal to 14 µm....................................... 7

7(6). The pt of the external buccal tube width higher than 6.5%, pt of the septulum length below 7%...................... ...................................................................... H. dujardini s.s. (Doyère, 1840)

- The pt of the external buccal tube width lower than 6.5%, pt of the septulum length above 7% ........................................................................................... H. seychellensis Pilato et al., 2006