Entomobryinae

Schäffer, 1896

slender springtails

Genus Guides

8

Entomobryinae is a of springtails (Collembola) within the Entomobryidae, characterized by body with diverse morphologies. The subfamily exhibits remarkable diversity in scale structure and distribution, including with pointed scales bearing long ribs (Willowsia, Lepidodens) and lacking dental scales traditionally used to separate them from other scaled subfamilies. Members occupy varied from caves to forest and household environments. The subfamily includes genera such as Willowsia, Lepidosira, Coecobrya, Drepanosira, Sinhomidia, and Lepidodens, with many described from Asia.

Entomobrya nivalis by (c) Paul Cook, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Paul Cook. Used under a CC-BY license.Entomobrya decemfasciata by (c) skitterbug, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by skitterbug. Used under a CC-BY license.Entomobrya clitellaria by no rights reserved, uploaded by Ben Keen. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Entomobryinae: /ˌɛntəmoʊˈbraɪɪniː/

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Images

Habitat

vary widely among : caves (Coecobrya anaguilae in Cango Caves, South Africa), forest , soil and leaf litter, and household environments (Willowsia reported as household pests). High-elevation habitats in mountainous regions of Central Asia (Drepanosira).

Distribution

Global distribution with strong representation in Asia (China, Tajikistan), Europe (France), North America (United States, Canada), and Africa (South Africa - first record of Coecobrya).

Behavior

Some exhibit troglobitic adaptations including absence of (Coecobrya anaguilae). Willowsia nigromaculata commonly reported as household pest throughout the northern hemisphere.

Ecological Role

Soil-dwelling members contribute to health and soil .

Human Relevance

Willowsia nigromaculata and related reported as household pests in the northern hemisphere.

Similar Taxa

  • SeirinaeTraditionally separated from Entomobryinae by presence of dental , but this distinction has been undermined by discovery of dental scales in Entomobryinae (Lepidodens) and phylogenetic analyses showing Entomobryinae has greatest diversity in scale among scaled collembolan groups.
  • LepidocyrtinaePreviously distinguished from Entomobryinae by characters; multilocus and topology tests support closer relationship of some scaled Entomobryinae to each other than to these , challenging traditional classifications.

Misconceptions

Traditional classification used absence of dental on dens to define Entomobryinae and separate it from Seirinae and Lepidocyrtinae. This diagnostic character has been invalidated by discovery of dental scales in Entomobryinae ( Lepidodens) and phylogenetic evidence showing multiple independent origins of scales.

Sources and further reading