All the confirmed records for Anurida thalassophila (maximum length 1.7 mm) are from coastal localities. It is clearly a halophilous species. A Bagnall specimen labelled Anurida thalassophila from the bank of the River Thames at Kew (a slightly saline environment) is on a slide in the NHML collection. Unfortunately it is in very poor condition (as are several other specimens) and is impossible to identify. Anurida thalassophila is similar in general appearance to Anurida granaria. However, the first thoracic segment (th1) has 4+4 or 5+5 dorsal setae and the setae p2, p3 and p4 on either side of th2 and th3 are in a more-or-less straight line (Fig. 1; compare with Anurida granaria). The post-antennal organ (PAO) is circular with about 10 to 15 vesicles (Fig. 2). Some of the literature records for Anurida granaria could be for Anurida thalassophila so it could be more widespread than current records would indicate.
Fig. 1 (above): Setae on the dorsal side of the second thoracic segment of Anurida thalassophila collected from Jesmond Dene in August 1939 by R.S. Bagnall. Setae p2, p3 and p4 are in a more-or-less straight line. Ant, anterior; Post, posterior.
Fig. 2 (above): PAO with 15 lobes of Anurida thalassophila collected from the shore of the River Tyne near Gateshead in August 1939 by R.S. Bagnall.
