Springtail - Proisotoma

Moved

Moved from Springtails and allies.

Tentative move based on Frans' comments. If I understand correctly, at a minimum, they belong somewhere in the area of Subfamily Proisotominae.

… Harsi S. Parker, 2 August, 2017 - 3:15pm

Collembola do have a tongue indeed. ;-P

The mouthparts in summary from bottom up: split labium (underlip), hypopharynx (tongue), maxillae (lower jaws), mandibulae (upper jaws) and labrum (upper lip).
The specimen is so small it is probably a 1st instar juvenile. I have no idea what this is... Do you have shots of other more mature specimens?

… Frans Janssens, 15 February, 2016 - 11:33am

Too many pictures

I'm working on something more representative and I'll post something sooner or later 'cause I'd like to know what they are ... just because.

… Sym P. le, 15 February, 2016 - 1:33pm

The most striking

in this specimen is the set of separated ocelli. Usualy ocelli are located on one dark (eye)patch. In some species each ocellus is located on its own isolated black patch (such as in some Folsomia).
In this specimen, the 'eyepatch' has no colour. There seem to be 8 ocelli. This matches with Proisotoma minuta. But the PAO of P. minuta is broadly elliptical. In this specimen it seems quite narrow (as in Folsomia). If possible, try to find out whether or not a furca is present. Do the specimens jump away when disturbed?

… Frans Janssens, 15 February, 2016 - 3:19pm

Disturbing the peace?

I will work on an answer to this if I don't have some good photo's already. I'm wondering how many times I can open the box and fish around in there before it starts having a detrimental effect on the population. It seems they might need some rest.

… Sym P. le, 15 February, 2016 - 6:57pm

Disturbing =

pushing/touching a specimen with a fine brush (preferable with 1 hair). I agree the population needs some rest.

… Frans Janssens, 16 February, 2016 - 10:38am