Protentomidae

Definition

A family of minute, soil-dwelling hexapods in the order Protura (proturans), characterized by reduced mouthparts and the absence of eyes and antennae. Members of this family are among the most commonly encountered proturans in soil and leaf-litter samples.

Etymology

Example

Protentomidae species such as those in the genus Protentomon are frequently recovered in Berlese funnel extractions of forest soil, where they feed on fungal hyphae and decaying organic matter.

Related Terms

• Protura
• Acerentomidae
• Eosentomidae
• proturan
• Apterygote
• soil mesofauna
• hexapod

Usage Notes

One of several families within the Protura, distinguished from the more speciose Acerentomidae and Eosentomidae by specific chaetotaxy and mouthpart reductions. The family was established by Ewing in 1936.