Echiniscus tympanista Murray, 1911

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 : 58

21. Echiniscus tympanista Murray, 1911

Locus typicus: Scotland, Loch Morar.

Etymology: From Ancient Greek τυμπαΝΙΣτής (tympanista) = drummer, describing the knob-like distal portions of lateral and dorsal appendages Cd that resemble drumsticks. A noun in apposition.

Shortened description. Medium-sized (ca. 240 μm). Body appendage configuration A-B-Bl- C-Cl- Cd- D-Dl- Dd- E. Lateral and dorsal appendages Cd cirrous, with knob-like tips. Dorsolateral appendages formed as short spicules. Dorsal appendages Dd are spines. Dorsal plate sculpturing likely of the Diploechiniscus type, comprising two elements: “pellucid dots” and “dark perforation-like” (see Murray 1911). Dentate collar IV present. Claws with primary spurs.

Remarks: Never found again after the original description record, although attempts have been made to resample the type locality (Brian Blagden, pers. comm.). The presence of dorsolateral spicules signifies that E. tympanista does not belong in Echiniscus , but is likely related to Diploechiniscus ( Gąsiorek 2023) .