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.Jones, Dick (1989) A Guide to Spiders of Britain and Northern Europe (revised edition), Hamlyn, , p. 302 The second pair of legs grow to 8mm. The body is flattened and narrow.Savory, Theodore (1945) The Spiders & Allied Orders of the British Isles, Warne, p. 155 The legs are short and robust, with the front two pairs having two segments and the back two three. Immature specimens are violet in colour. They pass through six moults over a period of up to nine months before reaching adulthood.Hillyard, Paul D. and Sankey, John H. P. (1989) Harvestmen: Keys and Notes for the Identification of the Species, Brill Academic Pub., , pp. 48-9
This harvestman is widespread in Europe (excluding Scandinavia) and has been introduced into North America. It is rare in Britain, usually found only in the south. It is generally found in calcareous areas, and is often found in leaf litter. It moves slowly and is usually covered in particles of dirt.
The openings of the scent glands in this species are not visible and the glands appear to have a non-defensive role.Schaider, Miriam & Raspotnig, Guenther (2008) "Unusual organization of scent glands in Trogulus tricarinatus (Opiliones, Trogulidae): evidence for a non-defensive role", Journal of Arachnology, 37(1):78-83. 2009
Trogulus tricarinatus feeds on snails and lays eggs in the empty shells. It also feeds on insects and earthworms.Pinto-da-Rocha, Ricardo, Machado, Glauco & Giribet, Gonzalo (2007) Harvestmen: The Biology of Opiliones, Harvard University Press, , p. 314
It is similar to the smaller Anelasmocephalus cambridgei.
References
External links Trogulus tricarinatus, Spider and Harvestman Recording Scheme website