Krubera Cave Springtail vs Lucifugous Springtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Krubera Cave Springtail Lucifugous Springtail
Scientific Name Plutomurus ortobalaganensis Megalothorax minimus
Order Collembola Collembola
Family Tomoceridae Neelidae
Size 1-2 mm 0.3-0.5 mm
Habitat Caves Caves
Diet Fungus Feeders Omnivores
Regions Georgia Worldwide
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Krubera Cave Springtail

The deepest-dwelling terrestrial animal ever recorded, found at 1,980 meters underground in Krubera Cave. It is completely eyeless and unpigmented.

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Did You Know?

It holds the record as the deepest-dwelling land animal on Earth at nearly 2 km underground.

Lucifugous Springtail

One of the smallest known hexapods, found in deep soil and cave environments. It is nearly transparent and extremely difficult to observe.

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Did You Know?

At about 0.3 mm, it is among the tiniest hexapods on Earth.