http://www.collembola.org/key/collbola.htm - Last updated on 2009.09.30 by Frans Janssens
Checklist of the Collembola: Key to the ordo of Collembola

This key is still under construction. Note that missing figures will be provided as soon as possible. Currently, the key is in the feasibility study phase to find out how to integrate in the checklist in a modular way a key that has been generated with DELTA.

Kenneth A. Christiansen, Department of Biology, Grinnell College, PO Box V3, Grinnell, IA 50112-0806, USA
Frans Janssens, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, B-2020, Belgium

Rationale

The rationale for taxa used and not used as well as subtaxonomic classification for some taxa is to be provided.

Key

Note that no distinction between subtaxa and taxa is made in the key.

    
1(0). Abdominal segmentation dorsally distinct; trunk always elongate
        (fig.1a&b).................................................. 2
      Abdominal segmentation dorsally indistinct; trunk usually
        subglobular (fig.1c)........................................ 3

Fig.1.
   
2(1). Prothoracic dorsal setae absent; prothoracic tergite indistinct
        (fig.2b)..................................... Entomobryomorpha
      Prothoracic dorsal setae present; prothoracic tergite distinct
        (fig.2a)......................................... Poduromorpha

Fig.2.
   
3(1). Trunk distinctly subglobular.................................. 4
      Trunk more elongate............................. Mackenziellidae 1
 

4(3). Eyes always absent; antennae shorter than head; body size always
        less than 0.7 mm; trunk always consisting of one subglobular
        unit (fig.3a)..................................... Neelipleona
      Eyes usually present; antennae longer than head; body size
        usually more than 0.7 mm; trunk usually consisting of a large
        subglobular unit terminated by a much smaller unit (fig.3b)...
         ................................................ Symphypleona

Fig.3.
  

Endnotes

1 Monotypic Symphypleona with more elongate body shape. Body size less than 0.3 mm. Eyes present.

Differential diagnoses

Entomobryomorpha
Abdominal segmentation dorsally distinct. Prothoracic dorsal setae absent. Prothoracic tergite indistinct (fig.2b). Trunk always elongate (fig.1a&b).

Mackenziellidae 1
Abdominal segmentation dorsally indistinct. Trunk usually subglobular (fig.1c). Trunk more elongate.

Neelipleona
Abdominal segmentation dorsally indistinct. Antennae shorter than head. Body size always less than 0.7 mm. Eyes always absent. Trunk usually subglobular (fig.1c). Trunk distinctly subglobular. Trunk always consisting of one subglobular unit (fig.3a).

Poduromorpha
Abdominal segmentation dorsally distinct. Prothoracic dorsal setae present. Prothoracic tergite distinct (fig.2a). Trunk always elongate (fig.1a&b).

Symphypleona
Abdominal segmentation dorsally indistinct. Antennae longer than head. Body size usually more than 0.7 mm. Eyes usually present. Trunk usually subglobular (fig.1c). Trunk distinctly subglobular. Trunk usually consisting of a large subglobular unit terminated by a much smaller unit (fig.3b).

References