Trogulus tricarinatus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Opiliones |
Family: | Trogulidae |
Genus: | Trogulus |
Species: | T. tricarinatus
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Binomial name | |
Trogulus tricarinatus | |
Synonyms | |
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Trogulus tricarinatus is a species of harvestman. It is found in Europe and North America.
Trogulus tricarinatus grows to between 7 and 9mm in both sexes.[1] The second pair of legs grow to 8mm.[1] The body is flattened and narrow.[1][2] The legs are short and robust, with the front two pairs having two segments and the back two three.[1] Immature specimens are violet in colour.[2] They pass through six moults over a period of up to nine months before reaching adulthood.[3]
This harvestman is widespread in Europe (excluding Scandinavia) and has been introduced into North America.[3] It is rare in Britain, usually found only in the south.[1] It is generally found in calcareous areas, and is often found in leaf litter.[1] It moves slowly and is usually covered in particles of dirt.[2]
The openings of the scent glands in this species are not visible and the glands appear to have a non-defensive role.[4]
Trogulus tricarinatus feeds on snails and lays eggs in the empty shells.[3] It also feeds on insects and earthworms.[5]
It is similar to the smaller Anelasmocephalus cambridgei.[1]