The phylum Tardigrada is divided into three classes: Eutardigrada, Mesotardigrada, and Heterotardigrada. Armoured limno-terrestrial taxa within the family Echiniscidae represent over half of the described species in the last class, and exhibit more consistent

Species constituting the family Echiniscidae are highly derived, armoured and inhabit terrestrial habitats, in contrast to other heterotardigrades that are predominantly marine. The genus Echiniscus C.A.S. Schultze, 1840, nominal for the family Echiniscidae,

One of the most extensive species radiations in the tardigrade evolution took place in the Echiniscus phylogenetic line, which contains the genus Echiniscus with over 120 species described to date. The internal classification of Echiniscus is historically