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Photo#241611
Springtail

Springtail
Chinle, Apache County, Arizona, USA
November 23, 2008
Size: ~1.5 mm
I managed only two pictures through a small microscope (40x) before I squashed the little guy trying to put on a cover slip. I need some deeper depression slides! The furcula has sprung, but isn't very well focused. I collected it with a homemade Berlese funnel, and was surprised to get anything at all. It's been very warm and dry here, freezing at night, and the soil is pretty barren. It was like digging in concrete. You can see the collophore a little better in the next image. Can anyone get it past Isotomidae, or would it be Entomobryidae?

Images of this individual: tag all
Springtail Springtail

Moved

Family = Entomobryidae
Note the typically long 4th abdominal segment.
In Isotomidae all abdominal segments are subequal.
Genus could be Entomobrya.

 
Thanks, Frans,
I had decided that after posting, but wasn't sure. Hopefully my photography of these facinating creatures will improve. Thank you also for the terrific website.

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