Tricholepidion gertschi
Wygodzinsky, 1961
Tricholepidion gertschi is a rare, wingless insect in the order Zygentoma (silverfish and allies). It is the sole extant of the Lepidotrichidae, a lineage considered one of the most primitive within Zygentoma. The species is to the northern coast of California and has been documented living under dead bark and in decaying conifer wood. Its mating has been specifically studied and compared to other primitive wingless insects.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tricholepidion gertschi: //ˌtɹɪkoʊlɛˈpiːdiɒn ˈɡɜːrtʃi//
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Identification
Distinguished from other Zygentoma by its placement in the Lepidotrichidae, which is characterized by primitive morphological features. Specific diagnostic traits for field identification are not documented in available sources.
Images
Habitat
Mesophytic forests. Found under dead bark and in rotting wood of conifers.
Distribution
Northern coast of California, Western North America. to this region.
Behavior
Mating has been documented and compared with that of other Apterygota, though specific details are not available from source abstracts.
Similar Taxa
- LepidotrixExtinct from Eocene European amber, also placed in Lepidotrichidae; represents the only other known member of this
More Details
Taxonomic placement
The placement of Tricholepidion gertschi has been disputed; it has alternatively been placed as the sole member of family Tricholepidiidae rather than Lepidotrichidae