Eogonatus tinro was first described but not named by Fields and Gauley (1971) then described and named by Nesis (1972). The paralarval, early juvenile and mature adult stages are not known. E. tinro is uncommon and although generally thought to be a small species, may reach a rather large size (Katugin, personal communication).

Brief diagnosis:

A gonatid ...

• without hooks on tentacular club.
• with 2-3 small ridges and grooves, and associated suckers and knobs, in proximal (carpal) locking-apparatus of tentacular club.