Integrative description of Pseudechiniscus (Meridioniscus) rosinae sp. nov. (Echiniscidae) with a discussion on Pseudechiniscus in Brazil (South America)

In the present study we describe Pseudechiniscus (Meridioniscus) rosinae sp. nov. from Brazil based on integrative taxonomic methods (using morphological and genetic analyses). Based on presence of small teeth/spines on the posterior margin of the pseudosegmental plate, the new species is most similar to Pse. (Mer.) celebesiensis, Pse. (Mer.) saltensis, Pse. (Mer.) santomensis, Pse. (Mer.) spinerectus, Pse. (Mer.) titianae and Pse. (Mer.) yunnanensis, but it differs from them mainly by the ventral sculpture and from some of them also by some other characters like presence of spurs on claws, different dorsal sculpture and morphometry. According to COI sequences, the new species is most similar to Pse. (Mer.) dreyeri with the genetic p-distance of 21.3%. We also propose the synonymisation of Pse. (Mer.) novaezeelandiae marinae reported from Brazil with newly described species. Finally, we discuss the taxonomic status of all Pseudechiniscus taxa reported from Brazil in the past and conclude that only two of them should be considered as present in Brazil, i.e. Pse. (Mer.) juanitae and Pse. (Mer.) rosinae sp. nov.