Relict Silverfish

Tricholepidion gertschi

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Zygentoma
Family: Lepidotrichidae
Genus: Tricholepidion
Species: gertschi

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tricholepidion gertschi: //ˌtɹɪkoʊlɛˈpiːdiɒn ˈɡɜːrtʃi//

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Summary

Tricholepidion gertschi is a unique wingless insect found in specific habitats in California, characterized by its distinctive tarsi and eye structure, with a debated taxonomic classification.

Physical Characteristics

Wingless insect with a body lacking scales, possessing five-segmented tarsi similar to many winged insects. Each compound eye contains approximately 40 ommatidia, complemented by three ocelli.

Identification Tips

Identified by the absence of body scales and the presence of five-segmented tarsi, differentiating it from other Zygentoma families which have fewer segments in their tarsi.

Habitat

Lives under dead bark and in rotting wood of conifers in mesophytic forests.

Distribution

Native to the northern coast of California in Western North America.

Evolution

Tricholepidion is considered either the only living member of the family Lepidotrichidae or of the family Tricholepidiidae. Its taxonomic position within Zygentoma is uncertain, with some studies suggesting it is less closely related to flying insects than other members of Zygentoma, making Zygentoma paraphyletic.