Symphypleona

Börner C, 1901

globular springtails

Family Guides

4

is one of three main orders of springtails (Collembola), characterized by their distinctive globular body shape. Members are small hexapods with an almost spherical profile, long , and the ability to jump using a . The order includes approximately 10 across five superfamilies, with occupying diverse from surface vegetation to deep caves.

Symphypleona by (c) Rupert Lees, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rupert Lees. Used under a CC-BY license.Dicyrtoma fusca by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.Bothriovulsus by (c) Mark Richman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Richman. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Symphypleona: //sɪmˌfaɪˈpliːənə//

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Identification

Distinguished from other orders by their rounded, nearly spherical body shape and long . Poduromorpha have plump but more oval bodies with short legs, while Entomobryomorpha are slender with variable leg and antenna length.

Images

Habitat

Found in diverse environments including pasture vegetation, coastal vegetation, leaf litter, and deep cave systems. Some are specialized troglobionts in hypogean .

Distribution

Global distribution with records from North America (Vermont, US), Brazil, Mexico, the Caucasus region, and Europe. Individual show varying ranges, with some extending from Mexico to Northeastern Brazil.

Similar Taxa

Sources and further reading