Identification of tardigrades from the Half Moon Island, Antarctic.

Abstract

Half Moon Island is one of the Antarctic Islands of South Shetland. With an area of about four-square kilometers, it has some elevated areas such as the Cerro Capa Negra or also called Morenita Hill, which presents rocks of volcanic origin, tonalites type. There are also several species of mosses and lichens, in which the presence of tardigrades was checked. The remarkable ability of tardigrades to withstand a wide range of stressors has sparked a renewed interest in studying their presence in Antarctica. Identification of tardigrades was carried out using optical equipment such as microscope, stereoscope and camera. The following species were found: Diphascon victoriae, Diphascon rudnicki, Hypsibius conwentzii, Hypsibius dujardini, Macrobiotus aradasi, Echiniscus spp. and Hexapodibius spp. These species allowed an analysis of the diversity in Cerro Capa Negra. Further evaluations are needed to better understand the presence of tardigrades in Antarctica.