Tomocerus minor (Fig. 1) is an extremely common and widespread species. The spines on the inner side of the dens are tridentate (Figs. 2 and 3), a highly characteristic feature which makes it impossible to confuse with any other species. The body is covered in scales (Fig. 4) and the empodium of the foot is about two-thirds the length of the claw (Fig. 5). The mucro is long and distinctive (Fig. 6 and 7).
     Despite being called 'minor', this species reaches 4.5 mm in length.

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Fig. 1 (above): Tomocerus minor of 4 mm in length photographed in a garden in Reading.

Fig. 2 (above): Isolated furca of Tomocerus minor collected from Ballyvaghan in July 1960 by Peter Lawrence.

Fig. 3 (above): Tridentate spines on the dens of Tomocerus minor collected from Cheltenham in February 1944 by J.M. Williams.

Fig. 4 (above): Scales on the body of the same specimen of Tomocerus minor shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 (above) and Fig. 7 (below): Mucros at two levels of focus of the same specimen of Tomocerus minor shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 (above): Foot of Tomocerus minor collected from the Devil's Kitchen, N. Wales in January 1934 by W.M. Davies.