7. Echiniscus dikenli Maucci, 1973

Figure 6

Locus typicus: ca. 38°04’18”N, 30°09’56”E: Turkey, Aegean region, Dinar.

Etymology: From Turkish dikenli = spiny. An adjective in nominative singular.

Shortened description: Small to medium-sized (180–250 μm). Body appendage configuration A-B-C-Cd- D-Dd- E, all trunk appendages are spines except for cirri E. Dorsal spines are generally longer than lateral ones. Dorsal plate sculpturing comprises pores (the spinulosus type) of two types: similar in size and regularly distributed pores in most plate portions and slightly larger, densely packed pores in denser cuticular matrix in anterior portions of paired segmental plates I–II (Fig. 6). Claws massive, but with minute, needle-like spurs positioned closely to claw bases.

Remarks: This is currently the only Echiniscus species which can be considered as likely endemic of Asia Minor. The unusual presence of cirri, instead of spines, in position E makes this species clearly distinct from all remaining members of the spinulosus morphogroup. The presence of strongly sclerotised anterior portions of paired segmental plates with a different type of pores, contrasting with the rest of dorsal sculpturing (Gąsiorek & Michalczyk 2020), and large claws, suggest that E. dikenli is closely related to the clade E. spiniger + E. spinulosus (Figs 1–2).