Oligolophus hanseni

Oligolophus hanseni is probably not uncommon, but it is difficult to identify, being very similar to Oligolophus tridens. Identification requires either examination with a very good hand lens or a microscope to see the that the trident and associated tubercles are different. Although the trident members of both species are quite small, in Oligolophus hanseni they are normally pale and on close inspection, tipped with black spines. In Oligolophus tridens the trident tubercles can be pale, or the same colour as the body. Oligolophus tridens can have no additional tubercles to the side of the trident and as few as two behind, but in Oligolophus hanseni there are normally more than this to the side and behind. In Oligolophus tridens the two rows of tubercles on the ocularium are often neatly delineated in white, giving the impression of two white eye-rings. In Oligolophus hanseni there are white patches on the ocularium, but these don't usually give the impression of two neat eye-rings. There are only seven previous records for VC55, but in reality I suspect this is quite a common species.