Biology and key to the Australian species of Hypogastrura and Ceratophysella (Collembola: Hypogastruridae). Issue 1 (16th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Greenslade, Penelope; Ireson, John; Skarżyński, Dariusz
• Is Part Of: Austral entomology. Volume 53:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 53
• Page End: 74
• Publication Date: 2013-09-16
• Subjects: Entomology -- Southern Hemisphere -- Periodicals; 595.705
• DOI: 10.1111/aen.12048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-174X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The family Hypogastruridae is represented by nine genera in Australia, three of which: <italic>Mesogastrura</italic> Bonet, <italic>Hypogastrura</italic> Bourlet and <italic>Ceratophysella</italic> Börner, consist only of species that have been probably introduced from Europe within the last 250 years, with the exception of a new species described here. All species in these three genera are typical of, and abundant in, disturbed habitats. The 11 species currently recorded from Australia in <italic>Hypogastrura</italic> and <italic>Ceratophysella</italic> are <italic>C. communis</italic> (Folsom, 1897), <italic>C. denticulata</italic> (Bagnall, 1941), <italic>C. gibbosa</italic> (Bagnall, 1940), <italic>C. succinea</italic> (Gisin, 1949), <italic>Hypogastrura assimilis</italic> (Krausbauer, 1898), <italic>H. distincta</italic> (Axelson, 1902), <italic>H. manubrialis</italic> (Tullberg, 1869), <italic>H. purpurescens</italic> (Lubbock, 1867, <italic>H. vernalis</italic> (Carl, 1901) and <italic>H. viatica</italic> (Tullberg, 1872), and a new species <italic>C. pauciseta</italic> sp. nov. <italic>Ceratophysella communis</italic> was misidentified in some published literature as <italic>C. engadinensis</italic> Gisin, 1949. Although <italic>C. communis</italic> is confirmed as occurring in Australia, there now seems to be no evidence that <italic>C. engadinensis</italic> occurs here, and the name <italic>H. denticulata</italic> may include more than one species. An illustrated dichotomous key and description is given here for all Australian species of <italic>Hypogastrura</italic> and <italic>Ceratophysella</italic>, and their distributions and habitats documented. Their value as indicators of disturbed habitats in Australia is discussed. Collembola in general have been shown to have a positive influence on nutrient cycling. It is not known what contribution <italic>Hypogastrura</italic> and <italic>Ceratophysella</italic> make to Australian arable and grazing systems in this respect, but it may be considerable because of their abundance.</p> </abstract>