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

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). Dentes absent or vestigial or when present relatively short and
        not ringed (fig.1b)......................................... 2
      Dentes more than 3 times as long as manubrium, with distal rings
        of granules (fig.1a)............................... Poduroidea

Fig.1.
   
2(1). Apical organ of fourth antennal segment absent or without many
        blunt projections........................................... 3
      Apical organ of fourth antennal segment with many blunt
        projections (fig.2)........................... Gulgastruroidea

Fig.2.
   
3(2). Sense organ of third antennal segment complex with at least six
        elements, 4-5 outer papillae and 1-3 inner sense structures
        (fig.3a).................................................... 4
      Sense organ of third antennal segment with at most two or three
        protective papillae and two inner sensory structures (fig.3b),
        or with the organ divided into a dorsal and ventral section,
        each bearing more than 2 structures......................... 6

Fig.3.
   
4(3). Abdomen with lateral projections (fig.4).......................
         ............................................ Hypogastruroidea 2
      Abdomen without lateral projections........................... 5

Fig.4.
   
5(4). Postantennal organ absent...................... Hypogastruroidea 1
      Postantennal organ present........................ Onychiuroidea 2
 

6(3). Pseudocelli absent or visible only under scanning electron
        microscope.................................................. 7
      Pseudocelli present, at least on antennal base (fig.5) and/or or
        dorsum of fifth abdominal segment............... Onychiuroidea 2

Fig.5.
   
7(6). Prothoracic tergum with papillae but no setae (fig.6)...........
         ........................................... Isotogastruroidea
      Prothoracic tergum with setae but no papillae................. 8

Fig.6.
   
8(7). Mandible absent or if present then without molar plate
        (fig.7b&c)........................................ Neanuroidea
      Mandible present and with molar plate (fig.7a)..................
         ............................................ Hypogastruroidea 2

Fig.7.
  

Endnotes

1 Acherongia will key out here.

2 ad partem.

Differential diagnoses

Gulgastruroidea
Apical organ of fourth antennal segment with many blunt projections (fig.2). Dentes absent or vestigial or when present relatively short and not ringed (fig.1b).

Hypogastruroidea 1
Abdomen without lateral projections. Apical organ of fourth antennal segment absent or without many blunt projections. Dentes absent or vestigial or when present relatively short and not ringed (fig.1b). Postantennal organ absent. Sense organ of third antennal segment complex with at least six elements, 4–5 outer papillae and fig.–3 inner sense structures (fig.3a).

Hypogastruroidea 2
Abdomen with lateral projections (fig.4). Apical organ of fourth antennal segment absent or without many blunt projections. Dentes absent or vestigial or when present relatively short and not ringed (fig.1b). Mandible present and with molar plate (fig.7a). Prothoracic tergum with setae but no papillae. Pseudocelli absent or visible only under scanning electron microscope. Sense organ of third antennal segment complex with at least six elements, 4–5 outer papillae and 1–3 inner sense structures (fig.3a), or with at most two or three protective papillae and two inner sensory structures (fig.3b), or with the organ divided into a dorsal and ventral section, each bearing more than 2 structures.

Isotogastruroidea
Apical organ of fourth antennal segment absent or without many blunt projections. Dentes absent or vestigial or when present relatively short and not ringed (fig.1b). Prothoracic tergum with papillae but no setae (fig.6). Pseudocelli absent or visible only under scanning electron microscope. Sense organ of third antennal segment with at most two or three protective papillae and two inner sensory structures (fig.3b), or with the organ divided into a dorsal and ventral section, each bearing more than 2 structures.

Neanuroidea
Apical organ of fourth antennal segment absent or without many blunt projections. Dentes absent or vestigial or when present relatively short and not ringed (fig.1b). Mandible absent or if present then without molar plate (fig.7b&c). Prothoracic tergum with setae but no papillae. Pseudocelli absent or visible only under scanning electron microscope. Sense organ of third antennal segment with at most two or three protective papillae and two inner sensory structures (fig.3b), or with the organ divided into a dorsal and ventral section, each bearing more than 2 structures.

Onychiuroidea 2
Abdomen without lateral projections. Apical organ of fourth antennal segment absent or without many blunt projections. Dentes absent or vestigial or when present relatively short and not ringed (fig.1b). Postantennal organ present. Pseudocelli present, at least on antennal base (fig.5) and/or or dorsum of fifth abdominal segment. Sense organ of third antennal segment complex with at least six elements, 4–5 outer papillae and 1–3 inner sense structures (fig.3a), or with at most two or three protective papillae and two inner sensory structures (fig.3b), or with the organ divided into a dorsal and ventral section, each bearing more than 2 structures.

Poduroidea
Dentes more than 3 times as long as manubrium, with distal rings of granules (fig.1a).

References