Pseudechiniscus, the second-largest genus of the family Echiniscidae (Tardigrada: Heterotardigrada: Echiniscoidea), is notoriously difficult for taxonomic studies. In this study, I performed a morphological analysis of a new species from Croatia, based on a light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic examination of 45 specimens from the same sample. Furthermore, I have summarized all available data on Pseudechiniscus species, including their original descriptions, and have analysed the following complexes of morphological characters: (1) arrangement and morphology of dorsal cuticular plates, (2) ventral sculpture, (3) morphology of cephalic, trunk and leg sensory organs and (4) claw morphology. The applicability of these characters in the taxonomy and their distribution in the genus are discussed. Some of the characters traditionally used for species delimitation were shown to be unsuitable and others in need of a thorough reinvestigation. The meaning of the old term ‘faceted’, commonly used but often misapplied, has been clarified, based on the initial definition. Several characters of the claw structure were suggested as potentially useful for species delimitation. The taxonomic status of several old forms and species was discussed.

中文翻译：

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的非形态形态特征分析在所属分类使用Pseudechiniscus（缓步动物：Echiniscidae）

Pseudechiniscus，家庭Echiniscidae（缓步动物：Heterotardigrada：Echiniscoidea）的第二大属，是分类学研究非常困难的。在这项研究中，我对来自克罗地亚的一个新物种进行了形态分析，该研究基于对同一样品中的45个标本进行的光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜检查。此外，我总结了假单胞菌的所有可用数据物种，包括它们的原始描述，并分析了以下形态特征的复合体：（1）背侧角质层板的排列和形态，（2）腹侧雕塑，（3）头，躯干和腿部感觉器官的形态以及（4）爪形态。讨论了这些字符在分类法中的适用性及其在属中的分布。传统上用于物种划界的某些字符显示不合适，而其他字符则需要进行彻底的重新调查。基于初始定义，已经澄清了常用但经常被误用的旧术语“刻面”的含义。有人认为，爪结构的几个特征对于物种划界可能有用。讨论了几种旧形式和物种的分类学地位。