Anurida ellipsoides is a small species which reaches 0.9 mm in length. There are only two literature records from Ireland (Heneghan & Bolger 1996) and northern England (Hutson 1980). This species is white, has no anal spines and the furca is absent. The eyes are composed of 2+2 ocelli (these are very difficult to see and were indeed missed by Stach in his original description) and the post-antennal organ is elliptical with about 13 lobes. A characteristic feature is the absence of seta p2 from all dorsal segments (see Fjellberg 1998). The first thoracic segment (th1) has only 2+2 setae dorsally. The checklist for Ireland (Bolger 1986) contains a record for Anurida ellipsoides from Glenturk, Co. Mayo but I have checked the specimen and it is Anurida granaria (with a few odd features including asymmetric chaetotaxy). The presence of Anurida ellipsoides in UK/Eire needs confirmation.

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