Oncopodura crassicornis is a white, blind, soil-dwelling species discovered as new to science in Berkhamsted by Shoebotham (1911). Despite its small size (0.8 mm), Oncopodura crassicornis is highly distinctive with a long mucro (Fig. 1) and elongate scales, especially on the furca. All specimens to date have been found in gardens and habitats disturbed by human activity. Oncopodura crassicornis recently turned up in soil from a disturbed urban deciduous woodland in Wolverhampton. This species is sure to be more widely distributed in similar sites.

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Fig. 1 (above): Furca of Oncopodura crassicornis collected from Startopsend Reservoir, Tring in February 1964 by Peter Lawrence.