terricolous, a. Zool.
(tɛˈrɪkələs)
[f. as prec. + -ous.]
1. Inhabiting the ground, not aquatic or aerial; living in the earth; spec. of or belonging to the Terricolæ or earthworms; = terricole 2.
| 1835–6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 167/1 In the terricolous annelida there are no cirri. 1860 Mayne Expos. Lex., Terricolus,..living on or in the earth, as the Harpalus terricola. Applied by Latreille and Macquart to a group..of the Tipularia which deposit their eggs in the earth..: terricolous. 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. v. 220 In the terricolous forms (Lumbricus) the vasa deferentia are continuous with the testes. 1881 Darwin Veg. Mould 247 In the same manner as gallinaceous and struthious birds swallow stones to aid in the trituration of their food, so it appears to be with terricolous worms. |
2. = terricole a. 1.
| 1921 A. L. Smith Handbk. Brit. Lichens 142/1 Terricolous, living on soil. 1959 U. K. Duncan Guide to Study of Lichens p. xiv, Sand-dunes and heaths are usually rich in terricolous species. |