It was described by Polish zoologists Michalczyk and Kaczmarek Łukasz in South America in 2006, and named in honor of American singer-songwriter Madonna.

Echiniscus madonnae was described by Polish zoologists Michalczyk and Kaczmarek Łukasz and published in the international journal of animal taxonomy Zootaxa in March 2006 (Vol.

The scientifics stated: "We take great pleasure in dedicating this species to one of the most significant artists of our times, Madonna Louise Veronica Ritchie".

[3] So far it is the only species within the Echiniscus bigranulatus group that does not have true pores in the dorsal plate cuticle.

[4] Echiniscus madonnae is found in Chile (Ancash, near Huaraz), mainly mosses on rocks and in Colombia (Magdalena and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta), in lichen of sub-andean forests.