Sphaeridia

Linnaniemi, 1912

Species Guides

1

Sphaeridia is a of springtails in the Sminthurididae, order Symphypleona. The genus contains 69 valid worldwide, with 46 species recorded from the Neotropical Region. Members are characterized by specific morphological traits including weak antennal , undivided IV, and modified male tube structures. The type species is Sminthurus pumilis Krausbauer, 1898.

Sphaeridia pumilis by (c) Jonas V., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jonas V.. Used under a CC-BY license.Sphaeridia pumilis by (c) Jonas V., some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jonas V.. Used under a CC-BY license.Sphaeridia pumilis by (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sphaeridia: /sfɛˈrɪdiə/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Sminthurididae by: weak antennal (male II-III only slightly modified with b1 and c3 elements); undivided Ant IV; 5+5 to 8+8 ; absence of trunk vesicles on male Th III; modified male tube corpus with extra vesicles and/or complex processes; absence of tibiotarsal organ on leg III; male tibiotarsus III usually with modified IIpe, IIIpi and IVpi; narrow mucro without chaeta. Males exhibit clasper-shaped and are remarkably reduced in size compared to females.

Images

Distribution

Worldwide distribution; 46 of 69 recorded from the Neotropical Region. Documented from Europe, Northern America, and Brazil (Piauí state).

Similar Taxa

  • DenisiellaBoth belong to Sminthurididae and were discussed together in taxonomic revisions; distinguished by specific male genital and antennal modifications.

More Details

Sexual Dimorphism

High present: males possess clasper-shaped and are notably smaller than females.

Taxonomic History

Type Sminthurus pumilis Krausbauer, 1898 was later transferred to Sphaeridia.

Sources and further reading