Krubera Cave Springtail vs Svalbard Springtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Krubera Cave Springtail | Svalbard Springtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Plutomurus ortobalaganensis | Folsomia quadrioculata |
| Order | Collembola | Collembola |
| Family | Tomoceridae | Isotomidae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 1-2 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Georgia | Svalbard, Scandinavia, Iceland, northern Russia, Arctic Canada |
| 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.
Did You Know?
It holds the record as the deepest-dwelling land animal on Earth at nearly 2 km underground.
Svalbard Springtail
A small, pale springtail with only four simple eyes, for which it is named. It is extremely common in Arctic soils where it plays a major role in decomposition. Populations can reach densities of thousands per square meter.
Did You Know?
This springtail is so abundant in Arctic soils that it is considered one of the most important decomposer organisms in tundra ecosystems.