Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

<I>Xenylla </I>sp.

Xenylla sp.

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Family HYPOGASTRURIDAE Börner, 1906


Compiler and date details

Penelope Greenslade, School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Introduction

This is a small and relatively well known family with seven genera and 29 species and subspecies in Australia. No Australian species have yet been described in two other genera, Willemia Börner, 1901 and a new undescribed genus near Acherontiella Absolon, 1913. The genera Hypogastrura and Ceratophysella are predominantly Holarctic in distribution and it is probable that all species in Australia have been introduced relatively recently. Only the genera Triacanthella and Xenylla are known to have species endemic to Australia. Xenylla was studied by Gama (1974, 1979, 1981) and it is unlikely that there are many more species to be added to those listed here. There are, however, undescribed species in the genus Triacanthella. Species of Hypogastrura and Ceratophysella are found mainly in cool, humid climates, in habitats that have been disturbed by man. Triacanthella has a boreal and austral distribution, while Xenylla is cosmopolitan and occurs in most parts of Australia, including tropical areas. Members of this family are generally found in leaf litter and the upper levels of the soil; a few species occur in caves and intertidally, while some Xenylla species are found under bark. A key to Australian species of Xenylla is given by Gama & Greenslade (1981).

 

Diagnosis

Characterised by: thorax I developed and setose, mandibular plate present, microsetae s' absent on thorax III, maxilla with stout cardo between stipes and fulcrum, anal spines usually present.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
28-Jun-2018 COLLEMBOLA Lubbock, 1870 02-May-2018 MODIFIED Dr Alice Wells
06-Feb-2014 HYPOGASTRURIDAE 06-Feb-2014 REVIEWED Dr Federica Turco (QM)
28-Feb-2013 28-Feb-2013 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)