Glacier Springtail vs Elongate-bodied Springtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Glacier Springtail Elongate-bodied Springtail
Scientific Name Isotoma saltans Folsomia candida
Order Collembola Collembola
Family Isotomidae Isotomidae
Size 1-3 mm 0.5-1.5 mm
Habitat Mountains Caves
Diet Seed Feeders Detritivores
Regions Scandinavia, Alps, Arctic Russia, Greenland, Svalbard Worldwide
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Glacier Springtail

A tiny, elongate springtail adapted to life on glaciers and permanent snowfields. It is dark-pigmented to absorb solar radiation. Populations can be found actively hopping on glacier surfaces in summer.

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Did You Know?

This springtail can survive being encased in ice and resume activity once temperatures rise above freezing.

Elongate-bodied Springtail

A white eyeless springtail commonly found in soil and cave environments worldwide. It is the most widely used springtail in laboratory ecotoxicology.

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Did You Know?

It reproduces by parthenogenesis and is a standard test organism in soil toxicology.