Hypogastruridae

Börner, 1906

Hypogastrurid Springtails

Genus Guides

7

is a of springtails (Collembola) comprising approximately 660 across about 40 . Members are common and widespread with distribution. The family includes both soil-dwelling species and specialized forms adapted to extreme environments including marine , caves, and polar regions.

Xenylla by (c) Pete Lypkie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Pete Lypkie. Used under a CC-BY license.Hypogastrura harveyi by (c) Bill Keim, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Schoettella by (c) Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa , some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hypogastruridae: /haɪpoʊˌɡæstrʊˈrɪdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

can be distinguished from related by the combination of: four thickened S- on the fourth antennal segment; modified mouthparts; absence of empodial appendage; presence of 5+5 ; absence of anal spines; and terminal position of the . These features separate them from close relatives Xenylla and Thibaudylla.

Images

Habitat

Highly variable across the . Many occupy soil and leaf litter . The Paraxenylla is predominantly marine littoral, inhabiting sandy zones in coastal environments. Some genera (e.g., Acherontiella) are cave-dwelling. The family includes halophilic/halotolerant species adapted to saline conditions.

Distribution

. Documented from all major biogeographic regions including: Peru, Cuba, Mexico, New Caledonia, Gambia, Japan, Norway, Germany, Russia, Belgium, Poland, Brazil, Iran (Alborz and Kopet Dagh mountains), Canary Islands, and Antarctic & Subantarctic regions.

Diet

Members of the Paraxenylla have been observed to probably feed on and diatoms in marine littoral . Diet for the majority of is not documented.

Similar Taxa

  • XenyllaShares modified mouthparts and reduced chaetotaxy; distinguished by presence of anal spines (absent in ) and different antennal chaetotaxy.
  • ThibaudyllaClose relative with similar reduced ; separated by antennal segment chaetotaxy and mouthpart structure.

Sources and further reading