Snow flea

Hypogastrura nivicola

This record describes Hypogastrura nivicola (species). Recorded family: Hypogastruridae. Recorded order: Poduromorpha.

Identification and Appearance

Snow flea - Hypogastrura nivicola — Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , ceiseman , v belov , KenW

differences between H. nivicola and H. harveyi :

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Collembola
Order: Poduromorpha
Family: Hypogastruridae
Genus: Hypogastrura

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

holarctic

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Hypogastrura nivicola (Fitch 1846)

About Poduromorpha: the wider group

Order-level background for Poduromorpha, the group containing Hypogastrura nivicola. Species-specific details appear above.

Group overview

Poduromorpha is an order of elongated springtails with ~3,400 described species. Many species are among the few arthropods found in extreme environments - they inhabit Antarctic ice, deep caves, and high-altitude snowfields.

Ecological role of the group

Poduromorphan springtails are important decomposers in soil surface layers. Some cave-dwelling species are completely depigmented and eyeless, having adapted to total darkness over millions of years. They are key food sources for ground beetles and spiders.

Economic and practical significance of the group

Snow fleas (Hypogastrura nivicola) contain antifreeze proteins being researched for medical applications including organ preservation and ice cream manufacturing to prevent ice crystal formation.

Recorded sources for this group: Collembola research, cryobiology, cave biology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.

Explore Poduromorpha families and species →