Entomobryoidea
Encyclopedia
The Entomobryoidea are a superfamily
of springtail
s (Collembola), tiny hexapods
related to insect
s. In the modern sense, this group is placed in an order
called Entomobryomorpha
.
This superfamily contains very characteristic species
of springtails. They typically possess long legs and antenna
e, as well as a well-developed furcula
.
– were united with the Poduroidea (now Poduromorpha
) in a group called "Arthropleona", but this has more recently turned out to be paraphyletic. Actually the Entomobryomorpha, the Poduromorpha, and the third springtaill lineage – the Symphypleona
– are equally distinct from each other. Their treatment at equal taxonomic rank
reflects this.
Following a 2008 review of the Entomobryomorpha, the Cyphoderidae are demoted to a subfamily of the Paronellidae. Apart from the three living families
, there are also two extinct ones known only from fossil
s.
Taxonomic rank
In biological classification, rank is the level in a taxonomic hierarchy. Examples of taxonomic ranks are species, genus, family, and class. Each rank subsumes under it a number of less general categories...
of springtail
Springtail
Springtails form the largest of the three lineages of modern hexapods that are no longer considered insects...
s (Collembola), tiny hexapods
Hexapoda
The subphylum Hexapoda constitutes the largest grouping of arthropods and includes the insects as well as three much smaller groups of wingless arthropods: Collembola, Protura, and Diplura . The Collembola are very abundant in terrestrial environments...
related to insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s. In the modern sense, this group is placed in an order
Order (biology)
In scientific classification used in biology, the order is# a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, family, genus, and species, with order fitting in between class and family...
called Entomobryomorpha
Entomobryomorpha
The order Entomobryomorpha are one of the three main groups of springtails , tiny hexapods related to insects. This group was formerly treated as a superfamily Entomobryoidea....
.
This superfamily contains very characteristic species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of springtails. They typically possess long legs and antenna
Antenna (biology)
Antennae in biology have historically been paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods. More recently, the term has also been applied to cilium structures present in most cell types of eukaryotes....
e, as well as a well-developed furcula
Furcula (Collembola)
The furcula, or furca, is a tail-like appendage shaped like a fork, found ventrally on the fourth abdominal segment of springtails. Present in most species dwelling the upper soil layers, it is used for jumping when the animal is threatened...
.
Systematics
The Entomobryoidea in the old sense – now EntomobryomorphaEntomobryomorpha
The order Entomobryomorpha are one of the three main groups of springtails , tiny hexapods related to insects. This group was formerly treated as a superfamily Entomobryoidea....
– were united with the Poduroidea (now Poduromorpha
Poduromorpha
The order Poduromorpha is one of the three main groups of springtails , tiny hexapods related to insects. This group was formerly treated as a superfamily Poduroidea....
) in a group called "Arthropleona", but this has more recently turned out to be paraphyletic. Actually the Entomobryomorpha, the Poduromorpha, and the third springtaill lineage – the Symphypleona
Symphypleona
The order Symphypleona is one of the three main groups of springtails , tiny hexapods related to insects. When the springtails were still believed to be an order of insects, the Symphypleona were ranked as a suborder....
– are equally distinct from each other. Their treatment at equal taxonomic rank
Taxonomic rank
In biological classification, rank is the level in a taxonomic hierarchy. Examples of taxonomic ranks are species, genus, family, and class. Each rank subsumes under it a number of less general categories...
reflects this.
Following a 2008 review of the Entomobryomorpha, the Cyphoderidae are demoted to a subfamily of the Paronellidae. Apart from the three living families
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
, there are also two extinct ones known only from fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s.
- Family Paronellidae - includes Cyphoderidae
- Family EntomobryidaeEntomobryidaeThe family Entomobryidae contains the so-called "slender springtails", a group of springtails characterised as having an enlarged fourth abdominal segment and a well-developed furcula. Species in this family may be heavily scaled and can be very colourful...
- Family Microfalculidae
- Family Oncobryidae (fossil)
- Family Praentomobryidae (fossil)