Global fine-resolution data on springtail abundance and community structure.

Springtails (Collembola) inhabit soils from the Arctic to the Antarctic and comprise an estimated ~32% of all terrestrial arthropods on Earth. Here, we present a global, spatially-explicit database on springtail communities that includes 249,912 occurrences from 44,999 samples and 2,990 sites. These data are mainly raw sample-level records at the species level collected predominantly from private archives of the authors that were quality-controlled and taxonomically-standardised. Despite covering all continents, most of the sample-level data come from the European continent (82.5% of all samples) and represent four habitats: woodlands (57.4%), grasslands (14.0%), agrosystems (13.7%) and scrublands (9.0%). We included sampling by soil layers, and across seasons and years, representing temporal and spatial within-site variation in springtail communities. We also provided data use and sharing guidelines and R code to facilitate the use of the database by other researchers. This data paper describes a static version of the database at the publication date, but the database will be further expanded to include underrepresented regions and linked with trait data.

Globally invariant metabolism but density-diversity mismatch in springtails.

Soil life supports the functioning and biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems. Springtails (Collembola) are among the most abundant soil arthropods regulating soil fertility and flow of energy through above- and belowground food webs. However, the global distribution of springtail diversity and density, and how these relate to energy fluxes remains unknown. Here, using a global dataset representing 2470 sites, we estimate the total soil springtail biomass at 27.5 megatons carbon, which is threefold higher than wild terrestrial vertebrates, and record peak densities up to 2 million individuals per square meter in the tundra. Despite a 20-fold biomass difference between the tundra and the tropics, springtail energy use (community metabolism) remains similar across the latitudinal gradient, owing to the changes in temperature with latitude. Neither springtail density nor community metabolism is predicted by local species richness, which is high in the tropics, but comparably high in some temperate forests and even tundra. Changes in springtail activity may emerge from latitudinal gradients in temperature, predation and resource limitation in soil communities. Contrasting relationships of biomass, diversity and activity of springtail communities with temperature suggest that climate warming will alter fundamental soil biodiversity metrics in different directions, potentially restructuring terrestrial food webs and affecting soil functioning.

First record of the boneti-group of Coecobrya Yosii, 1956 (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from Thailand, with the description of three new cave species of the genus.

Thailand holds one of the most diverse faunas of the genus Coecobrya Yosii, 1956, with 22 species reported from the country so far. In this study three new species of Coecobrya are described from subterranean environments: C. satasookae sp. nov. from Chaiyaphum province, C. cavicola sp. nov. from Phrae province and C. chompon sp. nov. from Ratchaburi province. The first two species belong to the tenebricosa-group, as they lack eyes, while C. chompon sp. nov. has 1+1 eyes and fits the boneti-group. Coecobrya satasookae sp. nov. and C. cavicola sp. nov. can be distinguished from each other and its congeners by the combination of antennal length, clypeal, dorsal head and thoracic chaetotaxy, whereas C. chompon sp. nov. is most similar to C. boneti (Denis, 1948) from Vietnam. However, it differs from the latter taxa mostly by the proportion of the antennae, ventral and dorsal head, thoracic, fourth abdominal chaetotaxy, plus the shape of the tenent hairs. C. chompon sp. nov. is the first record and description of a Coecobrya species from the boneti-group in Thailand. We also discuss the ecological niches of troglomorphic Coecobrya species in Thailand and the status of the boneti-group.

The Puzzling Falcomurus Mandal (Collembola, Orchesellidae, Heteromurinae): A Review.

Falcomurus Mandal is currently a monotypic genus of Heteromurinae described from India in 2018. Its key characters are the first antennal segment subdivided, the second undivided and the third annulated; the first abdominal segment lacking macrochaetae; and the presence of a sinuous modified macrochaeta on the proximal dens. Some details of its morphology were recently put in doubt, and so its genus status and affinities remain uncertain. Here, we revise the genus based on the type material of Dicranocentrus litoreus Mari-Mutt, as well as provide the description of two new species from Australian archipelagos and a reinterpretation of the chaetotaxy of Falcomurus chilikaensis Mandal and D. halophilus Mari-Mutt. After our revision, Falcomurus shows a well-conserved chaetotaxy and overall morphology, which allowed us to provide an updated generic diagnosis. While the antennae morphology of Falcomurus resembles that of Dicranocentrus Schött, its dorsal sensillar and macrochaetotaxy suggest it is closely related to Heteromurus Wankel, as originally stated by Mandal. The main features useful to separate Falcomurus species are the head, mesothorax and fourth abdominal segment chaetotaxy. We also provide a key to its five species, a comparative table and notes on the affinities and distribution of Falcomurus.

Contributions to the Taxonomy of Arlesminthurus Bretfeld and Calvatomina Yosii (Collembola, Symphypleona, Appendiciphora), with the Description of New Species from Northeastern Brazil.

Arlesminthurus Bretfeld is a small genus of Neotropical Bourletiellidae, with only four described species so far. Calvatomina Yosii is a widespread taxon of Dicyrtomidae, with most species known from the tropics. Here, we describe two new species from northeastern Brazil: Arlesminthurus caatinguensis sp. nov. and Calvatomina gladiata sp. nov. We also provide a detailed chaetotaxic study for Arlesminthurus for the first time, with updated diagnoses and identification keys for the Neotropical species of both genera and notes on their morphology. Arlesminthurus caatinguensis sp. nov. resembles A. aueti Arlé in body color pattern, male head and dental chaetotaxy. The discovery of one bothriotrichum-like sens on the large abdomen of the new species needs to be investigated as a possible generic diagnostic feature, but we suggest that this structure is homologous to the S-sens seen in at least four Bourletiellinae genera, and they are likely related to each other. Calvatomina gladiata sp. nov. belongs to the rufescens-group and resembles C. rufescens Reuter and C. guyanensis Nayrolles and Betsch in some aspects of the head, dental and abdominal chaetotaxy. These descriptions represent the first record of Arlesminthurus from Caatinga and the first nominal species of Calvatomina from Brazil.

A Survey of the Brazilian Dicranocentrus Schött (Collembola, Orchesellidae, Heteromurini) with the Description of a New Species and Notes on the Genus.

Dicranocentrus Schött is the most diverse and widespread taxon of Neotropical Orchesellidae. In Brazil, the genus is represented by 11 species found in humid forested areas of Atlantic and Amazon forests domains. Here we describe in detail Dicranocentrus abestado sp. nov. from Chapada Diamantina, Caatinga domain, Brazil. The new species belongs to the marias group sensu Mari-Mutt, due to the absence of most posterior macrochaetae on the dorsal head, and resembles other Neotropical species with 3, 2 and 2 central macrochaetae on abdominal segments I-III. However, the new species is unique especially by its reduced colour pattern combined with its empodial complex morphology. We compare Dicranocentrus abestado sp. nov. with 27 other taxa from the New and Old World, including all species with 3 macrochaetae on the first abdominal segment; provide notes and details on the morphology of the compared species plus identification keys to Brazilian and all species of the genus with similar abdominal chaetotaxy. We also discuss the current taxonomical knowledge on Brazilian Dicranocentrus and provide notes on its chaetotaxy and Heteromurinae systematics.

The Rare Richardsitas Betsch (Collembola, Symphypleona, Sminthuridae): A New Species from Australia with Comments on the Genus and on the Sminthurinae.

Richardsitas Betsch is a small genus of Sminthurinae with only two species described so far, both from Madagascar. It resembles other Sminthurinae with long antennae, especially Temeritas Richards. Here we provide the first record of Richardsitas from Australia, Richardsitas subferoleum sp. nov., which is similar to R. najtae Betsch and R. griveaudi Betsch in males' large abdomen chaetotaxy and presence of tenent-hairs on tibiotarsi II-III, but lacks mucronal chaeta and has 28 segments on the fourth antennal segment plus a unique pair of sensilla on the second. We also provide an updated genus diagnosis to Richardsitas, a key to its species, a discussion of the affinities of Temeritas and Richardsitas to other Sminthurinae, and an updated key to this subfamily.

A Survey of Neotropiella Handschin, 1942 (Collembola, Neanuridae, Pseudachorutinae) with the Description of a New Brazilian Species.

Neotropiella Handschin, 1942 is a pantropical genus of Pseudachorutinae with 18 species, 16 of which are from the Neotropical Region and 13 from Brazil. The genus has several species with unclear descriptions. Herein, we describe a new species of Neotropiella, survey the genus based on published papers and discuss its morphology, providing an updated genus diagnosis plus a detailed comparison table and a key to all known species. Neotropiella arretada sp. nov. is unique in the combination of a postantennal organ with 14-20 vesicles, its mandible with five teeth, its maxilla apically pointed and its unguis with a pair of reduced teeth. Widely distributed taxa may be species complexes, especially due to their unclear descriptions.

Review of Eyeless Pseudosinella Schäffer (Collembola, Entomobryidae, and Lepidocyrtinae) from Brazilian Caves.

Herein, eyeless Pseudosinella species from Brazilian caves are reviewed, including the description of 23 new species, new records plus additional notes on the descriptions of P. ambigua Zeppelini, Brito, and Lima and of P. guanhaensis Zeppelini, Brito, and Lima. We also provide an identification key to 27 eyeless species recorded from Brazil. To organize the 26 Brazilian eyeless taxa analyzed in this work, we organize them in apparently artificial groups: 11 species have one larger tooth on the unguiculus outer lamella (petterseni group); one presents unguiculus outer lamella smooth or serrated (never with a larger tooth), with 9 held prelabral chaetae undivided and the last 6 held prelabral chaetae bifurcated. The Brazilian species of eyeless Pseudosinella herein described present a remarkably conservate dorsal chaetotaxy; therefore, the main diagnostic characters are related to other features like prelabral, labral, and ventral head chaetotaxy and empodial complex morphology. In addition, our study suggests that Brazilian caves possibly shelter a great diversity of Pseudosinella taxa, several of them potentially cave dependent.

New species of Lepidocyrtus Bourlet and Entomobrya Rondani (Collembola: Entomobryoidea: Entomobryidae) from Brazil.

The taxonomic comprehension of Brazilian entomobryids had several contributions during the last decade, but the absence of detailed chaetotaxic schemes to most of endemic species difficult identifications and probably hides undescribed species in surveys across the country. Herein we describe two new species of the family and provide detailed dorsal chaetotaxy of them, in hope to guide future identifications and descriptions within the genera in Brazil and Neotropical Region. Lepidocyrtus sotoi sp. nov. is possibly more related to L. biphasis due to the lack of antennal and leg scales, but presents a unique dorsal head chaetotaxy among the Neotropical species of the genus. Entomobrya bahiana sp. nov. presents an uncommon color pattern and dorsal chaetotaxy in Th. II-III, Abd. II and IV when compared to other Entomobrya spp. from Neotropical Region.

Two new species and two detailed chaetotaxy descriptions of Seira (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from Brazil.

Two new species, Seira coroatensis sp. nov. and Seira diamantinae sp. nov., from different areas of Caatinga Biome, Northeastern Brazil, are described and illustrated in this paper. Seira coroatensis sp. nov. share some similarities with Seira mendoncae Bellini & Zeppelini and Seira ritae Bellini & Zeppelini, but presents a very distinct pattern of setae on dorsal head and mesothorax. In the other hand, Seira diamantinae sp. nov. is the fifth neotropical species described bearing modified blunt macrosetae on distal manubrium and proximal dens. The detailed dorsal chaetotaxy of S. paraibensis Bellini & Zeppelini and S. glabra Godeiro & Bellini are presented with some notes regarding the original descriptions of the species.

Three new species of Seira Lubbock (Collembola, Entomobryidae) from Caatinga Domain, northeastern Brazil.

Three new species of Seira Lubbock, Seira jiboiensis sp.nov., Seira primaria sp. nov. and Seira harena sp.nov. from Neotropical Region are described and illustrated. All species were collected from humid areas of Caatinga Biogeographic Domain, northeastern Brazil. Seira jiboiensis sp.nov. shows some similarities with S. mendoncea Bellini & Zeppelini and S. ritae Bellini & Zeppelini, while S. primaria sp.nov. resembles S. pseudoannulata Bellini & Zeppelini and S. paraibensis Bellini & Zeppelini in dorsal chaetotaxy in some aspects. Seira harena sp.nov. belongs to a subgroup of Seira originally described in the subgenus Lepidocyrtinus Börner, which has modified macrochaetae on distal manubrium and proximal dens, like S. prodiga (Arlé), S. xinguensis (Arlé) and S. nigrans (Arlé).

First records of Collembola (Ellipura) from the State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil

Estudos indicam, no entanto, que a fauna brasileira para esse táxon é muito rica, sendo uma das mais diversas encontradas no planeta. No atual trabalho estão listados os primeiros registros do grupo para o Estado da Paraíba. Esses registros incluem uma espécie e seis gêneros, anteriormente não listados para o Brasil. Ainda, foram encontradas treze espécies novas.