Genus description from Gallo d’Addabbo et al. 2005: Arthrotardigrada with a trapezoid head divided into three parts: two lateroventral triangular lobes bearing all the cephalic cirri (except the medial cirrus) along with the primary and secondary clavae, and a central lobate portion with the medial cirrus. Simple cephalic cirri with lance-like or frayed tips. Tubular primary clavae with or without one or more constrictions; papillar secondary clavae, not always evident. Lipoid eye spots sometimes present. Stylet supports always present. Lateral intermetamerical processes present or absent. Legs digitate with four or six toes, according to the age, bearing terminal adhesive discs. Claws absent. Sense organs present on all the legs. Cirrus E dorsal to the fourth pair of legs. A longitudinal groove generally present between the rosette-like female gonopore and the anus. Single internal seminal receptacle sometimes present, opposite the oviduct. Circular male gonopore covered with a crescent fold. Caudal apparatus present or absent. Cuticular punctuations, consisting of pillars in the epicuticle, always present. Dorsal cuticular pillars always higher than the ventral ones.
Species key: Santos E, Rubal M, Veiga P, Rocha C, Fontoura P. 2018. Batillipes (Tardigrada, Arthrotardigrada) from the Portuguese coast with the description of two new species and a new dichotomous key for all species. European Journal of Taxonomy. 425: 1-32.
Citations:
Gallo D’Addabbo M, Sandulli R, de Zio Grimaldi S. 2005. A new Batillipedidae (Tardigrada, Heterotardigrada) from the Orosei Gulf, Sardinia, Tyrrhenian Sea. Zoologischer Anzeiger. 243: 219-225.
