Two new species of Sminthurididae (Hexapoda, Collembola, Symphypleona) from Brazil with notes on Denisiella Folsom & Mills and Sphaeridia Linnaniemi.

Two new species of Sminthurididae, Sphaeridiapiauiensis Medeiros & Bellini, sp. nov. and Denisiellapiracurucaensis Silva, Medeiros & Bellini, sp. nov. from Piaui state, Brazil, are herein described and illustrated. Sphaeridiapiauiensissp. nov. resembles species of the irmleri group, like S.irmleri Bretfeld & Gauer, S.fibulifera Bretfeld & Gauer, and S.peruensis Bretfeld & Schulz, by its complex male ventral tube without asymmetrical structures or medial process. However, it differs from them by the combination of the male tibiotarsus III with a leaf-shaped IIpe chaeta and a regular IIIpi chaeta, ventral tube with 1+1 chaetae, and the absence cuticular hooks on the furca. Denisiellapiracurucaensissp. nov. resembles its congeners without the nasal organ, especially D.colombiana Ospina & Palacios-Vargas, by the presence of spiniform chaetae at least on the second antennal segment of the females, four serrated spines on tibiotarsus III, and the ventral dens chaetotaxy, but D.piracurucaensissp. nov. differs from the latter especially by the presence of 8+8 eyes and the shape of the male proximal tibiotarsal organ. To describe both species all Neotropical Sphaeridia and all described Denisiella species were surveyed, presenting notes on both genera, comparative tables, and keys for these taxa.

Phylogenomics and systematics of Entomobryoidea (Collembola): marker design, phylogeny and classification.

Entomobryoidea has been the focus of phylogenetic studies in recent years owing to a divergence between morphological and genetic data. Recent phylogenies have converged on the sister relationship of Orchesellidae with the remaining Entomobryoidea, and on the non-monophyly of the traditional Paronellidae and Entomobryidae, but still lack resolution. Known molecular phylogenies of the superfamily differ greatly between mitogenomic and multilocus markers. For this reason, we designed universal single-copy orthologue (USCO) and ultraconserved element (UCE) marker sets specific for Entomobryoidea, based on 11 genome assemblies. Upon the newly designed 3406 USCOs and 4030 UCEs, we analysed 34 species covering all Entomobryoidea families and major subfamilies. New data for 26 species were mined from whole-genome sequencing. Phylogenetic inference confirmed the Orchesellidae as an independent family and the Entomobryinae remained the most puzzling taxon gathering scaled and unscaled lineages of both traditional Entomobryidae and Paronellidae. To accommodate Paronellides, Zhuqinia and related genera, Paronellidinae subfam. nov. is proposed within Entomobryidae. The sampled representatives of Paronellinae were recovered as the sister group of (Seirinae+Lepidocyrtinae), suggesting that reduction on the dorsal macrochaetotaxy and trunk sensillar pattern may have occurred independently within the Lepidocyrtinae and Paronellinae or represent their symplesiomorphy posteriorly modified in the Seirinae. The current systematics of the superfamily are revised here, with Entomobryidae now comprising six subfamilies, including all taxa with smooth dens. Our data also point out that all the main events of cladogenesis of the families and subfamilies of Entomobryoidea occurred during the Jurassic. Our genome-scale phylogenomics provides a complete, reliable example for systematics of Entomobryoidea, as well as other invertebrates in the big data era.

Revisiting Szeptyckitheca Betsch & Weiner (Collembola, Symphypleona, Sminthuridae): new species, updated diagnoses, and a key.

Szeptyckitheca Betsch & Weiner is a genus of Sphyrothecinae (Sminthuridae) similar to Sphyrotheca Börner, with 13 nominal species. Most descriptions of Szeptyckitheca taxa lack valuable data in face of the current taxonomy of Symphypleona. In this study the previously described species of the genus were surveyed, aiming to provide updated diagnoses for them. Three species were also transferred to Szeptyckitheca: Sphyrothecakarlarum Palacios-Vargas, Vázquez & Cuéllar, 2003, S.peteri Palacios-Vargas, Vázquez & Cuéllar, 2003, and S.koreana Betsch & Weiner, 2009, based on trochanteral and/or dental chaetotaxy. Two new Brazilian species of the genus are described and illustrated, S.andrzeji Medeiros, Bellini & Weiner, sp. nov., with a remarkable reduced ventral dental chaetotaxy not seen in other Neotropical species, and S.cyanea Oliveira, Medeiros & Bellini, sp. nov. with a distinctive large set of head vertex spines (18). Finally, an updated key to all the valid species of the genus is presented.

A Highly Troglomorphic New Genus of Sminthuridae (Collembola, Symphypleona) from the Brazilian Semiarid Region.

Here, we describe the highly troglomorphic Troglobentosminthurus gen. nov. from Água Clara cave system, Caatinga domain, Bahia, Brazil. Troglobentosminthurus luridus gen. nov. sp. nov. has remarkably long antennae, legs and furca, and lacks body pigments, except for small orange eye patches which also show a reduction in the number of eyes (5 + 5) and lens sizes. The overall morphology of the genus, with long and highly sub-segmented antennae, resembles other Sminthurinae of the Temeritas-group, especially Temeritas Richards and Galeriella Curcic and Lucic. However, it is unique, especially in the combination of the number of antennae IV subsegments and eyes, frontal head chaetotaxy and empodial complex morphology. Two type specimens have remnants of a mite and another specimen from the new species in their gut contents, supporting the species may be occasional predators and even cannibals. We also provide identification keys and comparative tables to the subfamilies of Sminthuridae and the Temeritas-group of genera.

A synthesis of the current knowledge on the Australian Orchesellidae (Collembola, Entomobryoidea).

The Australian Orchesellidae includes only 11 nominal species in four genera: Australotomurus Stach, 1947, Alloscopus Brner, 1906, Heteromurus Wankel, 1860, and Falcomurus Mandal, 2018. Here we describe Dicranocentrus dolosus sp. nov. from Cocos and Keeling Islands, the first species of the genus to be recorded from Australia. The new species is similar to D.inermodentes (Uchida, 1944) and D.indicus Bonet, 1930, but differs from both by the combination of the ventral head, mesothoracic and dental chaetotaxy. We also revisit Australotomurus based on previous studies to better interpret the dorsal macrochaetotaxy of the genus, and provide a synthetic map of chaetae to guide future studies on scaleless Orchesellidae. Finally, we present updated diagnoses to all genera and species of Australian Orchesellidae, as well as an identification key to all species.

Survey of Trogolaphysa Mills (Collembola, Paronellidae) of the Brazilian Amazon, including five new species and the description of the dorsal chaetotaxy of the first instar.

Here we present a survey of the Trogolaphysa fauna of the Brazilian Amazon, including five new species: amazoccidentalensis sp. nov., T. nigrocephala sp. nov., T. nigrolineata sp. nov., T. pseudomaculata sp. nov., and quinquedentomucronata sp. nov. The new species resemble each other in having 3 macrochaetae in the p3 complex (except for T. amazoccidentalensis sp. nov. with 5) on the second thoracic segment, but differ from each other in color pattern, head chaetotaxy, empodial complex morphology, and number of mucronal teeth. In addition to describing the new species, we describe for the first time diagnostic chaetotaxy features on the antennae, femurs IIII and tibiotarsus. We also provide a description of the dorsal chaetotaxy of the first instar of T. nigrolineata sp. nov., including a comparison with T. jataca (Wray) and T. paracarpenteri Soto-Adames. An identification key to the Brazilian species of Trogolaphysa is provided. This is the first record of nominal species of Trogolaphysa for Northern Brazil and now the number of species endemic to Brazil increases from 8 to 13.

A new species of Arrhopalites Börner (Collembola, Symphypleona, Arrhopalitidae) from China, with a key to the Asian species of the caecus group.

The second species of Arrhopalites from China is described and illustrated and an identification key to the Asian species of the caecus group is presented. Arrhopalitesbrevicornis sp. nov. is the eleventh species of the caecus group recorded in Asia and it can be clearly differentiated by the unguiculus III with 2 internal teeth (0-1 in all other species). Also, the combination of antennae less than 2 times the size of the head, antennal segment IV without annulations, 1+1 eyes, dorsal head with 9 spines, 2+2 regular spines per side on the anal valves, circumanal chaetae without basal serrations, subanal appendage long and apically serrated, manubrium with 5+5, and dorsal dens with 16 chaetae is unique among the Asian species of the caecus group.

Two new species of Seira Lubbock, 1870 (Collembola: Entomobryidae: Seirinae) from Brazilian Caatinga.

Two new species of Seira Lubbock are described and illustrated, Seira picoensis sp. nov., from Picos municipality, and Seira trisetosa sp. nov., from Serra das Confuses National Park, Caracol municipality, both in Piau State, Brazil. Seira picoensis sp. nov. resembles other species of the genus with four macrochaetae in abdomen I, but differs by other aspects of the dorsal chaetotaxy and unguiculus shape. Seira trisetosa sp. nov. resembles S. ferruginea Rapoport Izarra, S. frater (Bonet), S. oceanica Yosii and S. tinguira Cipola Bellini by the abdomen I with 3 macrochaetae, but also differs by other features such as the antenna IV morphology, overall dorsal chaetotaxy and unguiculus shape. We also provide a brief discussion on the mucro shape in Seirinae.

Two new species of Entomobrya Rondani (Collembola, Entomobryidae) from northeastern Brazil and comments on the genus.

Entomobrya Rondani, 1861 is one of the largest genera of springtails and the most diverse group of scaleless Entomobryoidea. Only 14 species of Entomobrya were recorded from Brazil so far. Herein we present two new Brazilian species of the genus. Entomobrya juneae sp. nov. can be diagnosed by antennae shorter or as long as the trunk; prelabral and labial chaeta e smooth, mesothorax lacking m5 and p5 macrochaetae, mucro distal tooth reduced, among other features. It is somehow similar to E. atrocincta Schött, 1896 and E. nivalis (Linnaeus, 1758) sensu Katz et al. (2015) in some aspects of dorsal chaetotaxy, but the new species presents less macrochaetae on mesothorax and third and fourth abdominal segments. Entomobrya barbata sp. nov. is quite similar to E. linda Soto-Adames 2002 especially due to its remarkable reduced dorsal chaetotaxy, but can be separated from it in dorsal head, mesothorax, fourth abdominal segment and manubrial plate chaetotaxy. We also investigate the similarities of Brazilian Entomobrya species with Entomobryoides Maynard, 1951 and provide comments on the morphology of both genera.

Review of Lepidocyrtinus Börner, 1903 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Seirinae): the African species.

Herein Lepidocyrtinus Börner is reviewed based on African species and a new diagnosis to the genus is provided, including the description of intermediary stages of two species and a proposal for the interpretation of the dorsal chaetotaxy based in juveniles. In total, 17 species previously assigned as Seira Lubbock are transferred to Lepidocyrtinus, and three of them are redescribed: L. barnardi Womersley and L. dayi Yosii from South Africa, and L. voeltzkowi (Börner) from Madagascar. Neotypes are designated for these last two species. In addition, nine new species are described from Africa: one from Botswana, two from Republic of the Congo, two from South Africa, and four from Madagascar. Finally, identification keys for the current genera of Seirinae and for the African species of Lepidocyrtinus are provided. After our revision, Lepidocyrtinus has now its generic status revalidated with 36 species, 29 of them from African continent, two from Oceania and five from Brazil.

Two new species of Temeritas Richards (Collembola, Symphypleona, Sminthuridae) from Neotropical Region, with comments on the genus.

Temeritas Richards is a small genus of Sminthuridae with 40 species described worldwide, 10 of them from Neotropical Region. Herein we describe in detail two new species of the genus from Brazil: T. andreazzei sp. nov., similar to other neotropical taxa such T. amazonensis Arlé Oliveira and T. caatingae Arlé Oliveira in the presence of several long chaetae on body and appendages, absence of oval organs on tibiotarsi and presence of mucronal chaeta, but can be readily separate from both by its exclusive combination of fourth antennal segment articles and head, male's parafurcal area and dorsal dens chaetotaxy; and T. paradoxalis sp. nov., unique in the genus by the combination of low number of fourth antennal segment articles, absence of remarkably long chaetae on third and second antennal segments and head, ungues with serrated dorsal and lateral margins, and mucronal chaeta absent. We also present an updated diagnosis, a comparison of neotropical Temeritas with an identification key to these species and notes on the genus.

Taxonomic revision of Brazilian genus Tyrannoseira Bellini amp; Zeppelini, 2011 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Seirinae).

Tyranonoseira is revised and new diagnostic characters to the genus and its species are proposed. The genus is now characterised by distinct chaetotaxic patterns of head, in lacking M2, S1, S4, S5 macrochaetae and Th II to Abd IV with 21-27, 7, 0, 3, 1 and 8-10 central macrochaetae, as well as anterior legs of males with modified chaetae. The five species of the genus are redescribed based on type material: T. raptora Zeppelini Bellini, T. bicolorcornuta Bellini Zeppelini, T. diabolica Bellini Godeiro, T. gladiata Zeppelini Lima and T. sex Bellini Zeppelini. We include an identification key and comparison of the species. The dorsal chaetotaxy is similar for all species. Characters omitted from the original descriptions such as chaetotaxy of the clypeus, labral papillae, collophore chaetae and manubrial formula are now used to distinguish species more clearly. We compare the morphology of Seira and Tyrannoseira using dorsal chaetotaxy and the modified chaetae on anterior legs of males.

A new species of Nothobrya Arlé, 1961 (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from Brazil and notes on key characters for Nothobryinae taxonomy, with an identification key to the species of the subfamily.

A new species of Nothobrya Arlé is described and illustrated. The specimens were collected in Serra da Capivara National Park and its vicinities, Caatinga Biome, Piauí State, Brazil, from soil and leaf litter samples. Nothobrya sertaneja sp. nov. differs from the two previously described species of the genus, N. arlei Silveira Mendonça and N. schubarti Arlé, by antennae with 4-5 antennomeres (6 in N. arlei and N. schubarti); metatrochanteral organ with 7-13 spine-like chaetae (15 in N. arlei and 3-4 in N. schubarti); tenaculum with 2-3 smooth chaetae on corpus (4 ciliated chaetae in N. arlei and 2 chaetae with unclear morphology in N. schubarti); and inner unguis with 2 basal paired teeth, 1 median and 1 apical tooth (2 basal paired, 1 median and 2 lateral teeth in N. arlei and 2 basal paired and 0-1 unpaired median tooth in N. schubarti). We present herein the first complete and labelled dorsal chaetotaxy description of the genus and the entire subfamily, including the S-chaetotaxy of the tergal segments. Finally, we also provide a new diagnosis to Nothobrya, plus an identification key to species of Nothobryinae.

A new species of Aethiopella Handschin, 1942 (Collembola, Poduromorpha, Neanuridae) from Neotropical Region, with comments on the genus.

Aethiopella Handschin, 1942 as other Pseudachorutinae (Neanuridae) presents a diagnosis with overlapping characters when compared to other similar genera, especially Halachorutes Arlé, 1966, Ceratrimeria Börner, 1906 and Pseudachorutes Tullberg, 1871. This condition, combined to several gaps on the knowledge of described species and a wide range of morphological differences within the genus, reinforces the need of its revision, since it can be an artificial group. In spite of that, a new species, Aethiopella ricardoi sp. nov., is described and illustrated. It resembles the other five Neotropical taxa of Aethiopella but is unique by the combination of fourth antennal segment with trilobed apical bulb and 7 dorsal sensilla, lack of dorsolateral S-microchaeta (ms); postantennal organ with 13-19 vesicles; mandibles with 7-8 teeth; maxillae apically hooked; and tibiotarsi I-III with 19/19/18 chaetae, respectively, with M chaeta slightly basally displaced. We also present an updated diagnosis of Aethiopella based on current knowledge of Pseudachorutinae, a table comparing all species, a key to Neotropical taxa and remarks on the genus.

Four new species of Plumachaetas Salmon (Collembola: Entomobryoidea) from Oceania with comments on the genus and a key to species.

Plumachaetas Salmon is a genus of Entomobryoidea with 11 valid species, all from Oceania. The genus is characterised by the presence of lanceolate scales, the subapical chaeta of the maxillary outer lobe thick and blunt, dental spines absent and a short mucro. In this paper we describe four new species of Plumachaetas from Oceania: P. belae sp. nov., P. loriensis sp. nov., P. mamuensis sp. nov. and P. wanangensis sp. nov. Plumachaetas belae sp. nov. and P. mamuensis sp. nov. are similar to each other, and to P. queenslandica (Schött) and P. yoshii Zhang Deharveng, but are unique in the combination of dorsal and labial chaetotaxy. Plumachaetas loriensis sp. nov. resembles P. halmaherae (Yoshii Suhardjono) and P. sunae Zhang Deharveng but differs in labial, dorsal chaetotaxy and unguiculus shape. Plumachaetas wanangensis sp. nov. is similar to other taxa bearing a mucro with four teeth, but presents a unique combination of macrochaetae on thoracic and abdominal segments. All species are arboreal and were collected in Malaise traps set in humid rainforests. A map of the geographic distribution and ecological remarks on the genus are provided and a key to species with a table summarising the main morphological features of all described taxa in the genus.

Three new species of Seira Lubbock (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Seirinae) from Madagascar with Lepidocyrtus-like habitus.

Here three new species of Seira from Madagascar are described and illustrated, all with Lepidocyrtus-like habitus, as short antennae, truncate unguiculus, and overall reduction of dorsal macrochaetae. The new species Seira lepidochaetosa sp. nov., Seira semicaerulea sp. nov. and Seira metafemurata sp. nov. can be distinguished from each other by color patterns and chaetotaxic elements. An identification key for these three species is also provided, including a discussion on truncate unguiculus on Seira species with dense and reduced macrochaetotaxy.

Three new species of Entomobryoidea (Collembola: Entomobryomorpha) from Brazilian Caatinga-Cerrado transition, with identification keys to Brazilian Cyphoderus, Pseudosinella and Trogolaphysa species.

Three new species of Entomobryoidea from Brazilian Caatinga-Cerrado transitional zone are described and illustrated, all from Sete Cidades National Park. Cyphoderus equidenticulati sp. nov. resembles C. javanus Börner and C. songkhlaensis Jantarit, Satasook Deharveng in number of mucro teeth, one inner distal tooth on unguis and four ciliated chaetae between the two rows of feathered scales of dens, but differs in claw with a pair of equally developed inner basal teeth, collophore, labial and dorsal chaetotaxy. Pseudosinella triocellata sp. nov. is mostly similar to P. stewartpecki Katz, Soto-Adames Taylor in number of eyes, presence of apical bulb on antennomere IV and one macrochaeta on mesothorax, but differs in head with S2 macrochaeta, anterior and posterior collophore chaetotaxy and empodial complex morphology. Trogolaphysa piracurucaensis sp. nov. is quite similar to the recently described T. ernersti Cipola Bellini in overall dorsal chaetotaxy but differs in ventral head, collophore and manubrial plate chaetotaxy. Identification keys for Brazilian species of Cyphoderus, Pseudosinella and Trogolaphysa are also provided.

The survey of Seira Lubbock, 1870 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Seirinae) from Iberian Peninsula and Canary Islands, including three new species.

Here we present a survey of Seira fauna from Iberian Peninsula and Canary Islands, including the description of three new species from Spain: Seira barrai sp. nov., Seira betica sp. nov. and Seira burgersi sp. nov., the latter with unprece-dented antennal morphology for Seira. Five species from Western Europe are redescribed and their dorsal detailed chaetotaxy is revealed for the first time: S. domestica (Nicolet), S. dinizi Gama, S. ferrarii Parona, S. mantis Zeppelini Bellini and S. pini Jordana Arbea, the first two from type locality, and the latter two based on analysis of the type material. A note on chaetal interpretation of the first abdominal segment for Seira is presented. An identification key to 31 species with known dorsal chaetotaxy from Western Palearctic region is also provided, including a discussion on dense macrochaetotaxy present in Palearctic and Oriental species and its reduction in species from others biogeographic regions.

New species, redescriptions and a new combination of Acanthocyrtus Handschin, 1925 and Amazhomidia Cipola Bellini, 2016 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Entomobryinae).

Herein one new species of Amazhomidia Cipola Bellini from Brazilian Amazon is described and illustrated: A. thaisae sp. nov., plus one specimen no nominal due to lack of material for formal descriptionend point.  Acanthocyrtus guianiensis Womersley is redescribed and transferred to Amazhomidia by presence of prelabral chaetae bifurcated, macrochaetotaxy pattern, manubrium laterally with long distal mac finely ciliate and dens ventrally unscaled. Acanthocyrtus croceus Womersley is confirmed as a junior synonymy of A. guianiensis. The juvenile description of Amazhomidia ducke is provided, and changes in chaetotaxy nomenclature are made based on them. Acanthocyrtus lineatus Womersley is redescribed based on type material and new diagnostic characters are revealed. Identification keys for both genera and a comparison for Entomobryinae genera with dental spines are provided. Amazhomidia has now three and Acanthocyrtus Handschin six valid species.

A new cave species of Coecobrya Yosii (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Entomobryinae) from South Africa, with an identification key to the genus.

Coecobrya anaguilae sp. nov., a new species of springtail from Cango Caves, South Africa is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to other species of tenebricosa-group such as C. communis (Chen & Christiansen), C. edenticulata (Handschin), and C. tropicalis Qu, Chen & Greenslade in some elements of dorsal chaetotaxy, absence of eyes, unguis with one unpaired median tooth, and manubrium without smooth chaetae, but differs from them in dorsal head, mesothoracic and collophore chaetotaxy. This is the first species of Coecobrya described from Africa as well as the first indisputable record of the genus for the whole continent. In this study an updated key to the species of the genus is provided, adding 14 species to the most recently published identification key. We also discuss some aspects of distribution and evolution of Coecobrya.