Anurida granaria (maximum length 2.3 mm) is a widespread and very common species, often found in caves. It is white or yellowish in life (Fig. 1), blind and does not possess a furca or empodium on the foot (Fig. 2). The post-antennal organ (PAO) is circular with about 15 to 20 vesicles (Fig. 3). The first thoracic segment (th1) has 3+3 dorsal setae and the setae p2, p3 and p4 on either side of th2 and th3 form a triangle (Fig. 4; compare with Anurida thalassophila).
     A particularly clear preparation of the mouthparts is shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

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Fig. 1 (above): Anurida granaria (2.0 mm) collected by Lee Knight from surface water in Gour Pools above the 6 metre pitch in Manor Farm Swallet, Charterhouse on the Mendip Hills on 15 March 2003.

Fig. 3 (above): Post-antennal organs on opposite sides of the head of the same specimen of Anurida granaria shown in Fig. 2. The PAO on the left has 14 lobes whereas the one on the right has 17 lobes. Such asymmetry is common.

Fig. 2 (above): Third leg of Anurida granaria collected from sewage filter beds at the Minworth Works, Birmingham in November 1941 by T.G. Thomlinson.

Fig. 5 (above): Mouthparts dissected out from Anurida granaria collected from the same locality as that shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 6 (below): Higher magnification view of the tips of the maxillae and mandibles shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 (above): Setae on the dorsal side of the second thoracic segment of Anurida granaria collected from the same locality as that shown in Fig.2. Setae p2, p3 and p4 form a triangle. Ant, anterior; Post, posterior.