Echiniscus arcangelli Maucci, 1973

Gąsiorek, Piotr & Vončina, Katarzyna, 2023, Atlas of the Echiniscidae (Heterotardigrada) of the World-part I: West Palaearctic Echiniscus species, Zootaxa 5344 (1), pp. 1-72 : 11

1. Echiniscus arcangelli Maucci, 1973 –4

Locus typicus: ca. 45°41’35”N, 13°44’57”E: Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Monte Grisa .

Etymology: The name commemorates Professor Alceste Arcangeli, an Italian zoologist specialising in Isopoda. A noun in the genitive singular.

Shortened description: Medium-sized (ca. 250 μm). Body appendage configuration A-B-Bd- C-Cd- D-Dd- E, all formed as spines: mostly short and robust, only in the positions Dd and E longer spines exist; six supernumerary minute spicules present at the anterior margin of the scapular plate. Dorsal plate sculpturing comprises densely arranged endocuticular pillars protruding to epicuticle as large granules; pillars interconnected via thin striae. Unclear whether pores or pseudopores are present. Dentate collar IV with more than 10 elongated, spiniform teeth joined at their bases. Claws elongated and only with primary spurs.

Remarks: This extraordinary species was described based on a single individual and our re-sampling of the type locality was negative for the presence of E. arcangelii on Monte Grisa. The holotype is in poor condition and we refrain from hypothesising the phylogenetic position of this species; however, its unique phenotypic characters make it a readily identifiable and valid taxon.