Cave Springtail vs Arctic Springtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cave Springtail | Arctic Springtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pseudosinella violenta | Megaphorura arctica |
| Order | Collembola | Collembola |
| Family | Entomobryidae | Onychiuridae |
| Size | 1.0-1.5 mm | 1-2 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Svalbard, Arctic Canada, Greenland, northern Scandinavia |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Cave Springtail
A pale elongate springtail adapted to cave environments with reduced pigmentation and eyes. It feeds on fungi and bat guano.
Did You Know?
Many cave springtail species are found in only a single cave system and are among the most range-restricted animals on Earth.
Arctic Springtail
A white, eyeless springtail that lives in soil and under stones in the High Arctic. It lacks a furcula and cannot jump. It survives extreme cold through cryoprotective dehydration, losing most of its body water before freezing.
Did You Know?
This springtail can survive temperatures down to minus 30 degrees Celsius by dehydrating itself until it contains almost no free water.