ISOECHINISCOIDINAE, Møbjerg & Kristensen & Jørgensen, 2016

Møbjerg, Nadja, Kristensen, Reinhardt M. & Jørgensen, Aslak, 2016, Data from new taxa infer Isoechiniscoides gen. nov. and increase the phylogenetic and evolutionary understanding of echiniscoidid tardigrades (Echiniscoidea: Tardigrada), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 178 (4), pp. 804-818 : 808-809

SUBFAMILY: ISOECHINISCOIDINAE SUBFAM. NOV.

Diagnosis: Predominantly interstitial Echiniscoididae with isonych claws (identical numbers and type of claws on all legs). Epicuticle with pillars. More than four claws (usually six) on each leg in adults. First instar (larvae) with four claws. Sexual dimorphism present. Secondary clavae (cephalic papillae) larger and more dome-shaped in males than in females. Cirri E and cirri A (lateral cirri) very long. Anal system is trilobed with two short lateral lobes and a relatively large terminal lobe. Sensory setae on all four leg pairs. Setae of the first leg pair are very small papillar structures with a tiny spine.

Type genus: Isoechiniscoides gen. nov.

Type species: Isoechiniscoides sifae gen. nov., sp. nov.

Subfamily discussion: At this early stage in the phylogenetic investigation of Echiniscoididae , the morphological characterization of the major clades that are currently inferred by molecular data (see below) is lacking. Here we establish the new subfamily, Isoechiniscoidinae , as its members are clearly distinguishable from the other taxa in Echiniscoididae . The major distinguishing Isoechiniscoidinae characteristics as compared to other echiniscoidids are: isonych claws, epicuticular pillars, longer cirri A and E, and a trilobed anal system. Furthermore, Isoechiniscoidinae was inferred as distinct by the molecular analyses (see below).