Tardigrades of Kibale National Park, Uganda

Uganda located in the equatorial zone is rich with diverse ecosystems, including high mountains, savannas and tropical forests. Studies from other tropical regions showed a high tardigrade species diversity. However, the knowledge on tardigrade diversity in Uganda is very limited. As a result, only 21 taxa have been reported from this region so far, representing only ca. 9% of all African tardigrade species known. Our study constitutes a first comprehensive survey of tardigrades in tropical forests of the Kibale National Park (KNP). In the present study, 40 moss and lichen samples were collected from primary and secondary tropical forests in KNP. Extracted tardigrades and their eggs were mounted on permanent microscope slides and examined under a Phase Contrast Microscope. Additional, fresh individuals were later isolated for DNA extraction followed by barcoding analysis (PCR reaction for amplification of genes encoding COI, 18S, 28S, and ITS2). Phylogenetic analyses were conducted based on obtained fragments. The analysis revealed high species diversity in most of samples, with 18 genera and 37 species identified. Six genera were recorded in Uganda for the first time i.e. Adropion Pilato, 1987, Barbaria Gąsiorek, Morek & Stec, 2019, Doryphoribius Pilato, 1969, Platicrista Pilato, 1987, Nebularmis Gąsiorek & Michalczyk, 2019 and Tenuibiotus Pilato & Lisi, 2011 while six species are new to science. In the result, our studies doubled the number of tardigrade species previously known from Uganda. Given the limited study area, the overall tardigrade diversity in the country remains largely unexplored. The high number of newly discovered species underscores the importance of African tropical forests for tardigrade diversity.