Bdelloid rotifers and tardigrades from aquatic and limno-terrestrial habitats in Macun

Diego Fontaneto (CNR-IRSA, Italia), Daniel Stec (CNR-IRSA, Italia), Krzysztof Miler (CNR-IRSA, Italia), Iordanis Kougioumtzis (CNR-IRSA, Italia)

Situation de départ

Microscopic aquatic and limno-terrestrial animals (meiofauna) are poorly studied in Switzerland, with limited DNA references.

Objectif

This project focuses on identifying bdelloid rotifers and tardigrades in Macun, improving knowledge of their biodiversity and biogeography and contributing to the Swiss Barcode of Life. Samples from water, sediments, mosses, and lichens will be collected and later examined in the lab in Verbania Pallanza to isolate, identify, and sequence specimens for taxonomic vouchers and DNA reference data.