Water Springtail

Podura aquatica

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Collembola
Order: Poduromorpha
Family: Poduridae
Genus: Podura
Species: aquatica

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Podura aquatica: //pɒˈdjʊərə əˈkwætɪkə//

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Summary

Podura aquatica, commonly known as the water springtail, is a species of springtail found in various bodies of water. It exhibits unique adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle, primarily being a scavenger that resides on the water's surface and can jump effectively due to its specialized furcula.

Physical Characteristics

Juveniles are orange; adults are bluish with reddish antennae and legs. Up to 2.5 mm in length, usually bluish grey but can be almost black. The furcula is large and flattened, aiding in jumping without breaking the surface tension of water.

Identification Tips

Distinguished by the very long arms (dentes) of the pincerlike jumping organ (furca), compared to other semi-aquatic hypogastrurids.

Habitat

Semi-aquatic; often found floating on the surface of small bodies of standing water such as ponds, as well as on stream and pond banks.

Distribution

Holarctic distribution.

Diet

Scavenger, living on the surface of still water.

Life Cycle

The hatchling develops a hydrophobic cuticle and rises to the surface after hatching, continuing its development on the water surface.

Reproduction

Eggs are deposited on the water surface; they are hydrophilic and sink to the bottom where the embryo develops.

Ecosystem Role

Scavenger on the surface of various types of still water.