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Order Symphypleona - Globular Springtails

Globular Springtail - Sminthurus fitchi Tiny springtail - Sminthurinus minutus Ptenothrix? - Ptenothrix Ptenothrix denticulata? - Ptenothrix Globular Springtail - Ptenothrix marmorata Symphypleona from Manzanita duff - Sminthurinus henshawi Ptenothrix sp - Ptenothrix beta Pygmarrhopalites sp. - Pygmarrhopalites
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Collembola (Springtails and allies)
Order Symphypleona (Globular Springtails)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Symphypleona Börner 1901
Numbers
_ spp. in >30 genera of 8 families in our area; worldwide, ~1,150 spp. in 120 genera of 10 families, arranged into 5 superfamilies (one small Neotropical family and one monotypic family restricted to Canary Is. are not represented in our area)(1)
Identification
Abdominal segmentation dorsally indistinct. Antennae longer than head. Body size usually >0.7 mm. Eyes usually present. Trunk distinctly subglobular, terminated by a much smaller unit.(1)
In Symphypleona, the eversible sacs of the ventral tube have evolved into long multifunctional tubes, used [i] to regulate the internal osmotic pressure by taking up water with the tips of the eversed sacs/tubes, [ii] to adhere to smooth surfaces, and [iii] for grooming. (From Frans Janssens's comment)
Range
worldwide and throughout NA(1)
Remarks
In Symphypleona, the eversible sacs on the ventral tube have evolved into long tubes used to regulate the internal osmotic pressure (tube tips can take up water) and to adhere to smooth surfaces, and also for grooming. --Frans Janssens