Ptenothrix maculosa
This record describes Ptenothrix maculosa (species). Recorded family: Dicyrtomidae. Recorded order: Symphypleona.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Collembola
- Order
- Symphypleona (Globular Springtails)
- Superfamily
- Katiannoidea
- Family
- Dicyrtomidae
- Subfamily
- Ptenothricinae
- Genus
- Ptenothrix
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Nearctic
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ptenothrix maculosa (Schött 1891)
About Globular Springtails: the wider group
Order-level background for Symphypleona, the group containing Ptenothrix maculosa. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Symphypleona (globular springtails) includes ~1,200 described species. These round-bodied springtails are found on vegetation surfaces, in soil, and even on water surfaces where they can skate using surface tension.
Ecological role of the group
Symphypleona feed on fungal spores, pollen, algae, and decaying plant material. They play critical roles in nutrient cycling and are among the first colonizers of disturbed or newly formed soils.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Globular springtails are important bioindicator species used in ecotoxicology testing for soil contamination. ISO standard soil toxicity tests use springtail species like Folsomia candida.
Recorded sources for this group: ISO ecotoxicology standards, soil biology research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Ptenothrix maculosa (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by v belov