Isotomidae
Guides
Agrenia
Agrenia is a genus of springtails (Collembola: Isotomidae) distributed across arctic, boreal, and mountainous regions of the northern hemisphere. The genus was formerly monotypic but now contains multiple species divided into two groups: the bidenticulata-group (with mucronal seta) and the agilis-group (without mucronal seta). Species exhibit morphological variation in claw structure related to latitude, with some populations showing sexual polymorphism and cyclomorphosis.
Anurophorus near-septentrionalis
Anurophorus near-septentrionalis is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae. It belongs to a genus of small, elongate collembolans found primarily in soil and leaf litter habitats. The specific epithet 'near-septentrionalis' suggests morphological similarity to A. septentrionalis, a northern-distributed species, though its precise taxonomic status may require verification.
Ballistura tuberculata
Ballistura tuberculata is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae, described by J. Stach in 1947. It belongs to the order Entomobryomorpha, one of the major lineages of Collembola. The specific epithet 'tuberculata' suggests the presence of tubercle-like structures, though detailed morphological descriptions remain limited in available literature.
Cheirotoma
Cheirotoma is a genus of springtails in the family Isotomidae, established by Bagnall in 1949. Members of this genus are small hexapods found in Pacific North American regions. As part of the diverse Collembola fauna, these organisms contribute to soil ecosystem processes. The genus remains poorly documented with limited published research.
Cheirotoma spatulata
Cheirotoma spatulata is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae, described by Chamberlain in 1943. The specific epithet "spatulata" refers to a spatulate or spoon-shaped structure, likely describing a diagnostic morphological feature. As a member of Entomobryomorpha, it possesses the scaled body covering characteristic of this diverse order of Collembola. The species has been documented from Pacific North American localities.
Cryptopygus
Cryptopygus is a genus of springtails (Collembola: Isotomidae) with a cosmopolitan distribution spanning polar, temperate, and tropical regions. The genus includes Antarctic endemics such as C. terranovus, a relict species that survived the Last Glacial Maximum on the Antarctic continent, as well as species from seashores, littoral zones, and terrestrial habitats. At least 29 species are recognized in the Americas. Some species exhibit specialized ecological associations, including an undescribed Mexican species found in association with the hermit crab Coenobita clypeatus.
Dagamaea
Dagamaea is a genus of springtails in the family Isotomidae, subfamily Anurophorinae. It was established by R. Yosii in 1965. The genus has been recorded from disjunct localities across the Caribbean, North America, Central Australia, and the Pacific coast of North America. Like other isotomids, members of this genus are small, soil-dwelling hexapods with a furcula (springing organ) for escape locomotion.
Desoria
Desoria is a genus of springtails (Collembola: Isotomidae) characterized by cold-adapted, cryophilic species active in low-temperature environments. Members occur in diverse cold habitats including alpine glaciers, subnivean zones, and Antarctic ice-free areas. The genus is currently considered polyphyletic based on genetic analysis. Several species face elevated extinction risk due to climate change and habitat loss, particularly those restricted to shrinking glacial environments.
Desoria canadensis
Desoria canadensis is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae, described by Brown in 1932. This small hexapod belongs to the class Collembola, a group of wingless arthropods commonly found in soil and leaf litter. The species occurs in Arctic, subarctic, and northern North American regions. As with most springtails, it likely plays a role in decomposition and nutrient cycling in soil ecosystems.
Desoria gelida
Desoria gelida is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae, described by J.W. Folsom in 1937. The specific epithet 'gelida' suggests association with cold environments. It is known from limited observations in North America, particularly in Pacific and northern regions. As with other Desoria species, it belongs to a diverse genus of soil-dwelling collembolans.
Desoria hiemalis
Desoria hiemalis is a springtail species in the family Isotomidae, first described by Schött in 1893. It is a winter-active species, as indicated by its specific epithet "hiemalis" (Latin for "of winter"). The species has been recorded from both European and North American localities, including the Pacific Northwest region. It belongs to a diverse genus of soil-dwelling springtails commonly found in cold environments.
Desoria hoodensis
Desoria hoodensis is a species of springtail described in 1998 by K. Christiansen and P. Bellinger. It belongs to the family Isotomidae, a large group of elongate-bodied springtails. The species is known from the Pacific North American region. Like other members of Desoria, it is a soil-dwelling microarthropod.
Folsomia stella
Folsomia stella is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae, first described from North America in 1977. It belongs to a genus of small, elongate Collembola commonly found in soil and leaf litter habitats. The species has been recorded from multiple geographic regions including Arctic and sub-Arctic zones, Caribbean mainland, Hawaii, northern North America, and Pacific North America. Like other Folsomia species, it is likely a decomposer in soil ecosystems, though specific ecological studies on this species are limited.
Folsomides parvulus
Folsomides parvulus is a species of springtail (Collembola) in the family Isotomidae, first described by Stach in 1922. As a member of the genus Folsomides, it belongs to a group of small, soil-dwelling hexapods. The species has been recorded from several island and continental locations including the Azores (Faial, São Miguel), African Indian Desert region, Amazon, and Andean regions. Very few observations exist in public databases.
Guthriella
Guthriella is a genus of springtails in the family Isotomidae, first described by Carl Börner in 1906. The genus belongs to the order Entomobryomorpha, one of the largest and most diverse groups of Collembola. Very little published information exists on this genus, and no observations are recorded in major biodiversity databases. Its species appear to be poorly documented in modern literature.
Hemisotoma aquae
Hemisotoma aquae is a species of springtail (Collembola) in the family Isotomidae, described by Bacon in 1914. The species epithet "aquae" (Latin for "of water") suggests an association with aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. Springtails in this family are generally small, elongate hexapods that inhabit soil and litter layers. This species is rarely recorded, with limited observational data available.
Hydroisotoma
Hydroisotoma is a genus of springtails in the family Isotomidae, established by Stach in 1947. The genus includes species found in aquatic or semi-aquatic environments, with Hydroisotoma schaefferi documented from the eastern United States. Members of this genus belong to the diverse order Entomobryomorpha, which contains many of the larger and more active springtail species.
Hydroisotoma schaefferi
springtail
Hydroisotoma schaefferi is a springtail (Collembola) in the family Isotomidae, native to the eastern United States. The species inhabits very wet environments and is associated with moist microhabitats. First described by Krausbauer in 1898 under the name Isotoma schaefferi, it was later transferred to the genus Hydroisotoma. The species has also been recorded from Europe, the Mediterranean, and various regions of North America.
Isotoma
Waterfall Springtails
Isotoma is a genus of springtails (Collembola) and the type genus of the family Isotomidae. These small, wingless hexapods are commonly known as Waterfall Springtails. The genus contains multiple species distributed across various habitats, with some species studied for their dietary biology and metabolic responses. Springtails in this genus possess the characteristic furcula (springing organ) that enables their common name.
Isotoma arctica
Isotoma arctica is a species of springtail (Collembola) in the family Isotomidae, first described by H. Schött in 1893. The species epithet 'arctica' indicates its association with Arctic regions. Springtails are small, wingless hexapods that play important roles in soil decomposition and nutrient cycling. As a member of the genus Isotoma, it likely exhibits the elongated body form typical of this group, though specific morphological details for this species require direct examination of type specimens or specialized literature.
Isotoma viridis pomona
Isotoma viridis pomona is a subspecies of springtail described by J.W. Folsom in 1937. It belongs to the family Isotomidae, a diverse group of elongate-bodied springtails. Records indicate presence on several Azorean islands (Pico, São Miguel, Terceira) as well as in Arctic, Sub-arctic, and African Indian Desert regions. As a subspecies of the widespread Isotoma viridis, it likely shares the general ecology of this soil-dwelling group, though specific biological details for this particular subspecies remain poorly documented.
Isotomiella minor
Isotomiella minor is an elongate-bodied springtail (Collembola: Isotomidae) with broad Holarctic distribution beyond the high Arctic. The species is parthenogenetic (thelytokous), with no males known. It exhibits remarkable cryptic genetic diversity, with up to nine molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) recognized that show genetic distances comparable to interspecific levels. Populations display adaptive variation in cold tolerance and body size correlated with habitat temperature.
Isotomurus tricolor
Isotomurus tricolor is a species of elongate-bodied springtail in the family Isotomidae. The species was described by Packard in 1873 and has been recorded across multiple biogeographic regions including Arctic, subarctic, and North American zones. As a member of the Entomobryomorpha, it possesses the characteristic furcula (springing organ) that defines the Collembola class.
Metisotoma
Metisotoma is a genus of elongate-bodied springtails in the family Isotomidae. The genus includes at least four described species, with Metisotoma grandiceps recognized as the only veritable predator among springtails. Species occur primarily in Arctic, subarctic, and montane tundra habitats across the Holarctic region. The genus was established by Maynard in 1951.
Metisotoma grandiceps
Metisotoma grandiceps is a species of elongate-bodied springtail in the family Isotomidae. It is notable as the only confirmed predatory springtail known to science, a highly unusual trait for this group of typically detritivorous hexapods. The species has a Holarctic distribution, with confirmed records from the Taimyr Peninsula (type locality), Siberia, the Russian Far East, and additional records from North America and Japan. Recent taxonomic revision has redescribed the species based on new material and clarified its diagnostic characters.
Micrisotoma achromata
Micrisotoma achromata is a species of springtail in the family Isotomidae, described by P.F. Bellinger in 1952. It belongs to a genus characterized by small body size and reduced pigmentation. The species has been recorded across multiple continents including North America, Eurasia, and Malaysia, suggesting either a broad natural distribution or potential cryptic species complexity. Like other isotomids, it inhabits soil and leaf litter environments.
Mucrosomia
Mucrosomia is a genus of springtails (Collembola) in the family Isotomidae, subfamily Anurophorinae. It was established by Bagnall in 1949. The genus has a notably broad geographic distribution spanning multiple isolated regions including the Andes, Antarctica and Subantarctic islands, the Cape region of South Africa, the Caribbean, and central Australia. These disjunct distribution patterns suggest potential Gondwanan biogeographic affinities, though specific ecological and biological details remain poorly documented.
Proisotoma
springtails
Proisotoma is a genus of elongate-bodied springtails (Collembola) in the family Isotomidae, established by Börner in 1901. The genus comprises at least 50 described species distributed across diverse biomes including tropical, temperate, Antarctic, and desert regions. Species within this genus are primarily soil-dwelling and have been widely used as bioindicator organisms in ecotoxicological studies due to their sensitivity to environmental contaminants.
Scutisotoma
Scutisotoma is a genus of springtails (Collembola) in the family Isotomidae, subfamily Proisotominae. The genus was established by R.S. Bagnall in 1949 and is distributed across diverse biogeographic regions including Europe, the Arctic, the Himalayas, and parts of Africa and the Caribbean. As a member of the Entomobryomorpha, Scutisotoma shares characteristics with other elongate-bodied springtails.
Tetracanthella californica
Tetracanthella californica is a species of springtail described by Deharveng in 1978. It belongs to the family Isotomidae, a diverse group of small, wingless hexapods found in soil and leaf litter ecosystems. The species epithet indicates its occurrence in California. Like other Collembola, it contributes to decomposition processes in terrestrial habitats.
Vertagopus
Vertagopus is a genus of springtails in the family Isotomidae, comprising approximately 30 described species distributed across arctic, alpine, and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The genus includes both widespread and geographically restricted species, with some showing strict alpine specializations. Certain species, such as V. sarekensis, are notable for forming large aggregations and exhibiting coordinated group migration behaviors. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision in eastern Siberia, where new species continue to be described.
Vertagopus arboreus
Vertagopus arboreus is a species of elongate-bodied springtail in the family Isotomidae. It is widely distributed across northern Eurasia and parts of Asia. The species is associated with arboreal and ground-level habitats in forested environments. Taxonomic status varies between sources, with some authorities treating it as a synonym of Vertagopus asiaticus.
Vertagopus pseudocinereus
Vertagopus pseudocinereus is a species of elongate springtail in the family Isotomidae, described from Arctic and northern temperate regions. It belongs to the order Entomobryomorpha, characterized by relatively long antennae and a slender body form compared to the more compact Poduromorpha. The species has been recorded across circumpolar and northern montane regions.