Microcoryphia
bristletails
Family Guides
2- Machilidae(Jumping Bristletails)
- Meinertellidae(rock bristletails)
is an order of wingless hexapods commonly known as , representing one of the two extant orders of insects. They retain numerous ancestral characteristics that make them significant for understanding early insect evolution, including monocondylic and the ability to throughout their entire life. The group is distinguished by their laterally compressed bodies, large , and three long caudal filaments. Approximately 500 have been described worldwide, with new species continuing to be discovered in diverse including leaf litter, rocky areas, and caves.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Microcoryphia: /ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈkɒr.ɪ.fi.ə/
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Identification
Distinguished from Diplura (two-pronged bristletails) by presence of and ocelli (Diplura lack entirely); distinguished from Zygentoma (silverfish and firebrats) by laterally compressed body versus dorsoventrally flattened body, and by three equally prominent caudal filaments versus three filaments with filament distinctly shorter; distinguished from Collembola by larger size, well-developed tracheal system, and different pretarsal structure. The subgenus Verhoeffilis within Pedetontus is characterized by paired shoe-shaped ocelli, two pairs of retractile vesicles on abdominal segments II–V, and specific male genitalia features.
Images
Habitat
Diverse microhabitats including leaf litter, rocky crevices, bark, moss, and caves; requires humid environments to prevent desiccation; some are troglobitic and restricted to subterranean
Distribution
Worldwide distribution with highest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions; documented from southern China (Zhejiang, Guangxi, Guangdong), Russia (Primorskii Territory), broader East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central Asian caves including Turkmenistan
Diet
scavengers; observed feeding on moss, , decaying plant matter, and organic detritus; some reared successfully on moss and algae in laboratory conditions
Life Cycle
Ametabolous development without ; juveniles and differ only in body size and sexual maturity; molting continues throughout entire life with no terminal adult instar; females possess primary type ovipositor for -laying
Behavior
Cryptic lifestyle in concealed microhabitats; wingless and unable to fly; capable of rapid jumping using abdominal flexion combined with silk secretion from abdominal glands; positively thigmotactic (seeking contact with surfaces)
Ecological Role
Decomposers contributing to nutrient cycling in soil and leaf litter ; prey for various small and vertebrates
Human Relevance
Research significance for understanding early insect evolution due to retention of plesiomorphic characteristics; some cave-dwelling of conservation interest for subterranean protection
Similar Taxa
- ZygentomaSimilar '' and superficial appearance, but distinguished by dorsoventrally flattened body and shorter caudal filament
- DipluraAlso called 'two-pronged bristletails' and similar preferences, but distinguished by complete absence of and two caudal filaments versus three
More Details
Evolutionary significance
retains numerous ancestral traits including monocondylic (single point of ), making them crucial for understanding the evolutionary transition from primitive hexapods to modern insects.
Cave adaptation
Some members show troglobitic adaptations including reduced or absent , depigmentation, and elongated appendages; the first strictly subterranean from Central Asia was discovered in 2017 in Turkmenistan.