Systematics

sensu Soto-Adames et al. 2008

General References

Soto-Adames, F.N., Barra, J.-A., Christiansen, K. & Jordana, R. 2008. Suprageneric Classification of Collembola Entomobryomorpha. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 101(3): 501–513

History of changes

• Entomobryidae Schäffer, C. 1896. Die Collembolen der Umgebung von Hamburg und benachbarter Gebiete. Mitteilungen aus dem Naturhistorischen Museum in Hamburg 13: 149-216.

Introduction

The Entomobryidae is a large family with 21 genera, nine subgenera, 84 species and seven subspecies recorded in Australia. Currently five subfamilies are recognised in Australia (Zhang & Deharveng 2015), however, the suprageneric classifications are not firmly established (Soto Adames et al. 2008). The subfamilies are: Orchesellinae (Australotomurus), the Lepidocyrtinae (Lepidocyrtus, Pseudosinella, Ascocyrtus, Acanthurella), the Seiriniae (Seira) and the Entomobryinae (Entomobrya, Drepanura, Homidia, Calx, Sinella, Coecobrya, Willowsia, Epimetrura, Lepidosira, Lepidocyrtoides, Lepidobrya, Acanthocyrtus, Drepanosira) and the Heteromurinae (Heteromurus, Dicranocentrus, Alloscopus). Isotobrya, an inquiline genus, has not yet been assigned to a subfamily but probably belongs in the Entomobryinae. Isotobrya and Australotomurus are the only genera that are endemic to Australia. The genera Dicranocentrus, Drepanosira, Homidia and Calx are recognised to be in Australia, but without described species.

The monobasic genus, Lepidosinella was found not to occur in Australia. The record of Lepidosinella armata Handschin, 1920 by Richards and Lane (1966) was a misidentification of a Coecobrya Yoshii, 1956, a species near hoefti Schäffer, 1986 (Greenslade, 1992) and identified as Sinella communis by Chen et al. (2005 (see Zhang et al. 2009)). Also, the record of Sinelloides is doubtful (K. Christiansen pers. comm.) and the condition of the specimen identified by Womersley (1939) as that genus is too poor for identification.

Four species listed by Schott (1917) and Womersley (1934, 1939) as Sira abrupta, Sira tricincta, Sira platani,and Sira jacobsoni were incorrectly assigned to genus by these authors. They are now listed as belonging to the genus Willowsia.

Species are found in a wide range of habitats, in leaf litter, in soil, under bark, in flowers and arboreally. One genus, Dicranocentris, is found only in marine littoral habitats in Australia and there is a single species of Entomobrya, E. womersleyi, which is also marine littoral. The genus Epimetrura is represented by E. rostrata, and is a subtropical canopy specialist. The genus Drepanosira is restricted to northern arid regions and Australotomurus is found active on the ground in heathy and grassy native vegetation both coastally and in montane regions. A species of Homidia has a single record on Christmas Island and the genus Calx has only been found on Barrow Island; both Islands are off the north-west coast of Australia. Species of Isotobrya are found only in termite nests.

Entomobryidae tend to be large for Collembola being up to 2 mm long or more. Many are coloured blue, red or purple, either in stripes, bands or streaks and a few are all blue or white. White species tend to have reduced ocelli and live below the ground, under stones, in soil or in the nests of Formicidae and/or Isoptera. Cave species belonging to genera such as Pseudosinella and Coecobrya, have long antennae and other appendages, and often modified claws compared to other families; a furca is always present. Genera are currently distinguished on the presence or absence of scales, the form of the dens and the mucro and chaetotaxy. The pattern of the S setae in now considered to be of high taxonomic value (Zhang & Deharveng 2015).

Excluded Taxa

ENTOMOBRYIDAE: Alloscopus tenuicornis Börner, 1906

Misidentifications

ENTOMOBRYIDAE: Acrocyrtus (Carocyrtus) ralumensis (Schäffer, 1898) — Mateos, E. & Greenslade, P. 2015. Towards understanding Lepidocyrtus Bourlet, 1839 (Collembola, Entomobryidae) I: diagnosis of the subgenus Setogaster, new records and redescriptions of species. Zootaxa 4044(1): 105-129

Acrocyrtus Yosii, 1959 — Mateos, E. & Greenslade, P. 2015. Towards understanding Lepidocyrtus Bourlet, 1839 (Collembola, Entomobryidae) I: diagnosis of the subgenus Setogaster, new records and redescriptions of species. Zootaxa 4044(1): 105-129

Carocyrtus Yoshii & Suhardjono, 1989 — Mateos, E. & Greenslade, P. 2015. Towards understanding Lepidocyrtus Bourlet, 1839 (Collembola, Entomobryidae) I: diagnosis of the subgenus Setogaster, new records and redescriptions of species. Zootaxa 4044(1): 105-129

ENTOMOBRYIDAE: Ascocyrtus (Cinctocyrtus) kuakea Christiansen & Bellinger, 1992 — Mateos, E. & Greenslade, P. 2015. Towards understanding Lepidocyrtus Bourlet, 1839 (Collembola, Entomobryidae) I: diagnosis of the subgenus Setogaster, new records and redescriptions of species. Zootaxa 4044(1): 105-129

ENTOMOBRYIDAE: Lepidocyrtus (Lepidocyrtus) cyaneus cinereus Folsom, 1924 — Mateos, E. & Greenslade, P. 2015. Towards understanding Lepidocyrtus Bourlet, 1839 (Collembola, Entomobryidae) I: diagnosis of the subgenus Setogaster, new records and redescriptions of species. Zootaxa 4044(1): 105-129

ENTOMOBRYIDAE: Lepidocyrtus (Lepidocyrtus) cyaneus Tullberg, 1871 — Mateos, E. & Greenslade, P. 2015. Towards understanding Lepidocyrtus Bourlet, 1839 (Collembola, Entomobryidae) I: diagnosis of the subgenus Setogaster, new records and redescriptions of species. Zootaxa 4044(1): 105-129

Diagnosis

Characterised by: thorax I reduced and without setae, antennae longer than the head diagonal, mandibular plate present, abdominal segments not fused, body with trichobothria and thick clavate setae, scales often present, dens longer than manubrium tapering and annulated, dentes roughly parallel and distally curved, mucro small, one or two toothed.

General References

Chen, J-X., Leng, Z. & Greenslade, P. 2005. Australian species of Sinella (Sinella) (Collembola: Entomobryidae). Australian Journal of Entomology 44: 15-21

Greenslade, P. 1992. The identity of Australian specimens recorded as Lepidosinella armata Handschin 1920 (Collembola: Entomobryidae) with a key to Australian Sinella and Coecobrya. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 31(4): 327-330

Greenslade, P. 2015. Updating the New Zealand checklist of Collembola: a synonymy and new combinations. New Zealand Journal of Zoology

Mari Mutt, J.A. 1980. A classification of the Orchesellinae with a key to the tribes, genera and subgenera (Collembola: Entomobryidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 73: 455-459

Richards, A.M. & Lane, E.A. 1966. Exotic Collembola from Jenolan Caves, N.S.W. Helictite July 1966. 88-89 pp.

Schött, H. 1917. Results of Dr E. Mjöberg's Swedish Scientific Expeditions to Australia 1910–1913. 15. Collembola. Arkiv för Zoologi 11(8): 1-60 4 pls

Soto Adames, F. , Barra, J.A., Christiansen, K.A. & Jordana, R. 2008. Suprageneric Classification of Collembola Entomobryomorpha. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 101: 501‒513

Szeptycki, A. 1979. Chaetotaxy of the Entomobryidae and its phylogenetical significance. Morpho–systematic studies on Collembola IV. Warsaw : Polska Akademia Nauk 218 pp.

Womersley, H. 1934. A preliminary account of the Collembola-Arthropleona of Australia. Part II Superfamily Entomobryoidea. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 58: 86-138

Womersley, H. 1939. Primitive Insects of South Australia. Silverfish, springtails and their allies. Adelaide : Frank Trigg, Government Printer 322 pp. 1 pl.

Yoshii, R. & Greenslade, P. 1994. Reconnaissance of some entomobryid Collembola of Australia. Azao 3: 1-22

Zhang, F., Deharveng, L. & Chen, J.-Z. 2009. New species and rediagnosis of Coecobrya (Collembola: Entomobryidae), with a key to the species of the genus. Journal of Natural History 43(41): 1464-5262

Zhang, F., Sun, D.-D., Yu D.-Y. & Wang, B.-Z. 2015. Molecular phylogeny supports S-chaetae as a key character better than jumping organs and body scales in classification of Entomobryoidea (Collembola). Scientific Reports 5: 12471

Zhang, F. & Deharveng, L. 2015. Systematic revision of Entomobryidae (Collembola) by integrating molecular and new morphological evidence. Zoologica Scripta 44: 298–311

History of changes

• Acanthocyrtus Handschin, E. 1925. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Collembolenfauna der Sundainseln. Treubia 6: 225-270 [236].

  Type species:

   Lepidocyrtus (Lepidocyrtoides) spinosus Schött, 1917 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Pantropical, Australasian; Eyre Peninsula.

IBRA

NSW, Qld, SA, WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Esperance Plains (ESP), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gawler (GAW), Geraldton Sandplains (GS), Jarrah Forest (JF), Kanmantoo (KAN), Mallee (MAL), NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT), Yalgoo (YAL) ; NT: Arnhem Coast (ARC) ; WA: Carnarvon (CAR), Coolgardie (COO)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: SE coastal
  • Queensland: NE coastal
  • South Australia: S Gulfs
  • Western Australia: SW coastal

Distribution References

General References

Cipola, N.G., De Morais, J.W. & Bellini, B.C. 2018. New species, redescriptions and a new combination of Acanthocyrtus Handschin, 1925 and Amazhomidia Cipola & Bellini, 2016 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Entomobryinae). Zootaxa 4387(3): 401–435 [431] (revised key to genus)

Cipola, N.G. & Greenslade, P. 2022. Two new species of Acanthocyrtus Handschin, 1925 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Entomobryinae) from Western Australia. Zootaxa 5124(3): 341-358 [343]

Greenslade, P. 1995. Report on invertebrates of the Marble Range region, Eyre Peninsula. South Australian Naturalist 69(3-4): 4-8 [10] (Distribution: Eyre Peninsula)

Zhang, F., Deharveng, L., Greenslade, P. & Chen, J.-X. 2009. Revision of Acanthocyrtus (Collembola: Entomobryidae), with description of a new genus from eastern Asia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157: 495-514 (revision of genus)

History of changes

• Acanthocyrtus barrowensis Zhang, F., Deharveng, L., Greenslade, P. & Chen, J.-X. 2009. Revision of Acanthocyrtus (Collembola: Entomobryidae), with description of a new genus from eastern Asia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157: 495-514 [508].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA ♀ (on slide), Australia: Western Australia: Barrow Island [20°48′S 115°23′E].
  Paratype(s) SAMA 6 ♀ (on slides), same data as for holotype.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IBRA

WA: Carnarvon (CAR)

History of changes

• Acanthocyrtus lineatus Womersley, H. 1934. A preliminary account of the Collembola-Arthropleona of Australia. Part II Superfamily Entomobryoidea. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 58: 86-138 [125].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) SAMA I22555 1 ♂, 2 ♀♀ in slides, Brisbane, QLD.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Toohey Forest.

IBRA

Qld: South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Queensland: NE coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Decaying leaves.

General References

Cipola, N.G., De Morais, J.W. & Bellini, B.C. 2018. New species, redescriptions and a new combination of Acanthocyrtus Handschin, 1925 and Amazhomidia Cipola & Bellini, 2016 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Entomobryinae). Zootaxa 4387(3): 401–435 [428] (redescription)

Greenslade, P. & Rodgers, D. 1998. Corrections to the list of Collembola species recorded from Toohey Forest, Queensland. Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne 57: 71-72 [72] (distribution: Toohey Forest, Qld)

History of changes

• Acanthocyrtus loftyensis Zhang, F., Deharveng, L., Greenslade, P. & Chen, J.-X. 2009. Revision of Acanthocyrtus (Collembola: Entomobryidae), with description of a new genus from eastern Asia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157: 495-514 [507].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA ♀ (on slide), Australia: South Australia: Mt Lofty, Summit [34°58′S,138°42′E].
  Paratype(s) SAMA 3 ♀ (one on slide, 2 in spirits), same data as for holotype.

Distribution

States

South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IBRA

SA: Flinders Lofty Block (FLB)

History of changes

• Acanthocyrtus necropolitanus Cipola, N.G. & Greenslade, P. 2022. Two new species of Acanthocyrtus Handschin, 1925 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Entomobryinae) from Western Australia. Zootaxa 5124(3): 341-358 [343, Figs 2–7, 12 and Table 1].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV ♀, Guildford Cemetery, South Guildford, WA [31°55’05”S, 115°58’46”E].
  Paratype(s) NMV 6 specimens, same data as holotype; NMV 6 specimens, Perth Airport, WA [31°55’18”S, 115°58’36”E].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IBRA

WA: Swan Coastal Plain (SWA)

History of changes

• Acanthocyrtus pallidus Cipola, N.G. & Greenslade, P. 2022. Two new species of Acanthocyrtus Handschin, 1925 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Entomobryinae) from Western Australia. Zootaxa 5124(3): 341-358 [349, Figs 8–12, and Table 1].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV ♀, St. Ives Gold Mine, Widgiemooltha municipality, WA [31°20’13”S, 121°45’58”E].
  Paratype(s) NMV 14 specimens, St. Ives Gold Mine, Widgiemooltha municipality, WA [31°20’13”S, 121°45’58”E].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

IBRA

WA: Coolgardie (COO)

History of changes

• Lepidocyrtus (Lepidocyrtoides) spinosus Schött, H. 1917. Results of Dr E. Mjöberg's Swedish Scientific Expeditions to Australia 1910–1913. 15. Collembola. Arkiv för Zoologi 11(8): 1-60 4 pls [47].

  Type data:

   Lectotype NHRM 4165 (labelled paratype by J.T. Salmon), Ravenshoe (as Cedar Creek), QLD.
  Paralectotype(s) NHRM 4164 (labelled lectotype by J.T. Salmon); NHRM 1110–1116; MONZ 5 specimens.

  Subsequent designation references:

  Greenslade, P. 1994. Collembola. pp. 19-138 in Houston, W.W.K. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Protura, Collembola, Diplura. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia Vol. 22 188 pp. [84].

Generic Combinations

• Acanthocyrtus spinosus (Schött, 1917). —
  Handschin, E. 1925. Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Collembolenfauna der Sundainseln. Treubia 6: 225-270

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Atherton, QLD.

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • New South Wales: SE coastal
  • Queensland: NE coastal
  • South Australia: S Gulfs
  • Western Australia: SW coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Litter, terrestrial.

Extra Ecological Information

Leaf litter.

General References

Greenslade, P. 1982. Collembola of the Ninety Mile Desert. pp. 65-71 in Harris, C.R., Reeves, A.E. & Sympson, D.E. (eds). The Ninety Mile Desert of South Australia. Adelaide : Nature Conservation Society of South Australia.

Yoshii, R. & Greenslade, P. 1994. Reconnaissance of some entomobryid Collembola of Australia. Azao 3: 1-22 [7] (Distribution: Atherton, Qld)

History of changes

• Acanthocyrtus yolngui Zhang, F., Deharveng, L., Greenslade, P. & Chen, J.-X. 2009. Revision of Acanthocyrtus (Collembola: Entomobryidae), with description of a new genus from eastern Asia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157: 495-514 [505].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA ♀ (on slide), Australia: Northern Territory: Gove Peninsula [12°17′S 136°49′E].
  Paratype(s) SAMA 3♀, same data as for holotype.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

IBRA

NT: Arnhem Coast (ARC)

History of changes

• Acanthurella Börner, C. 1906. Das System der Collembolen nebst Beschreibung neuer Collembolen des Hamburger Naturhistorischen Museums. Mitteilungen aus dem Naturhistorischen Museum in Hamburg 23: 147-188 [174] [introduced as a subgenus of Lepidocyrtus Bourlet, 1839].

  Type species:

   Lepidocyrtus (Acanthurella) braueri Börner, 1906 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Pantropical, Australasian.

IBRA

NT, SA: Burt Plain (BRT), Channel Country (CHC), Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Finke (FIN), Flinders Lofty Block (FLB), Gawler (GAW), Kanmantoo (KAN), MacDonnell Ranges (MAC), Mitchell Grass Downs (MGD), Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields (SSD), Stony Plains (STP)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • Northern Territory: Lake Eyre basin
  • South Australia: Lake Eyre basin, S Gulfs

Distribution References

History of changes