Sminthurinus elegans
This record describes Sminthurinus elegans (species). Recorded family: Katiannidae. Recorded order: Symphypleona.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Collembola
- Order
- Symphypleona (Globular Springtails)
- Superfamily
- Katiannoidea
- Family
- Katiannidae
- Genus
- Sminthurinus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Holarctic (transcontinental in NA) + some records from the southern hemisphere
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Sminthurinus elegans (Fitch 1862)
About Globular Springtails: the wider group
Order-level background for Symphypleona, the group containing Sminthurinus elegans. 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 Sminthurinus elegans (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jim McClarin; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov