Temeritas Richards is a small genus of Sminthuridae with 40 species described worldwide, 10 of them from Neotropical Region. Herein we describe in detail two new species of the genus from Brazil: T. andreazzei sp. nov., similar to other neotropical taxa such T. amazonensis Arlé & Oliveira and T. caatingae Arlé & Oliveira in the presence of several long chaetae on body and appendages, absence of oval organs on tibiotarsi and presence of mucronal chaeta, but can be readily separate from both by its exclusive combination of fourth antennal segment articles and head, male’s parafurcal area and dorsal dens chaetotaxy; and T. paradoxalis sp. nov., unique in the genus by the combination of low number of fourth antennal segment articles, absence of remarkably long chaetae on third and second antennal segments and head, ungues with serrated dorsal and lateral margins, and mucronal chaeta absent. We also present an updated diagnosis, a comparison of neotropical Temeritas with an identification key to these species and notes on the genus.

Richardsitas Betsch is a small genus of Sminthurinae with only two species described so far, both from Madagascar. It resembles other Sminthurinae with long antennae, especially Temeritas Richards. Here we provide the first record of Richardsitas from Australia, Richardsitas subferoleum sp. nov., which is similar to R. najtae Betsch and R. griveaudi Betsch in males’ large abdomen chaetotaxy and presence of tenent-hairs on tibiotarsi II–III, but lacks mucronal chaeta and has 28 segments on the fourth antennal segment plus a unique pair of sensilla on the second. We also provide an updated genus diagnosis to Richardsitas, a key to its species, a discussion of the affinities of Temeritas and Richardsitas to other Sminthurinae, and an updated key to this subfamily.

Mitogenomes represent useful tools for investigating the phylogeny of many metazoan clades. Regarding Collembola, the use of mitogenomics has already shown promising results, but few published works include sufficient taxon sampling to study its evolution and systematics on a broader scale. Here, we present a phylogenetic study based on the mitogenomes of 124 species from 24 subfamilies, 16 families, and four orders—one of the most comprehensive datasets used in a molecular study of Collembola evolution to date—and compare our results with the trees from recently published papers and traditional systematic hypotheses. Our main analysis supported the validity of the four orders and the clustering of Poduromorpha with Entomobryomorpha (the traditional Arthropleona). Our data also supported the split of Symphypleona s. str. into the Appendiciphora and Sminthuridida suborders, and the division of the Neelipleona into two subfamilies: Neelinae and Neelidinae subfam. nov. On the other hand, the traditional Symphypleona s. lat., Isotomoidea, and all the Isotomidae subfamilies were refuted by our analyses, indicating a need for a systematic revision of the latter family. Though our results are endorsed by many traditional and recent systematic findings, we highlight a need for additional mitogenomic data for some key taxa and the inclusion of nuclear markers to resolve some residual problematic relationships.

Basidiomata of a Phallus species were found near bamboo trees in the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. This species was described as new to science and was named as Phallus fluminensis based on morphological characteristics. A detailed description, color images of microstructures and basidiomata of P. fluminensis, a comparison of P. fluminensis with its morphologically closely related taxa and a key to the genus Phallus in Brazil are given. A comparative analysis of P. glutinolens collections from the type locality was also made.

Here, we describe the highly troglomorphic Troglobentosminthurus gen. nov. from Água Clara cave system, Caatinga domain, Bahia, Brazil. Troglobentosminthurus luridus gen. nov. sp. nov. has remarkably long antennae, legs and furca, and lacks body pigments, except for small orange eye patches which also show a reduction in the number of eyes (5 + 5) and lens sizes. The overall morphology of the genus, with long and highly sub-segmented antennae, resembles other Sminthurinae of the Temeritas-group, especially Temeritas Richards and Galeriella Ćurčić and Lučić. However, it is unique, especially in the combination of the number of antennae IV subsegments and eyes, frontal head chaetotaxy and empodial complex morphology. Two type specimens have remnants of a mite and another specimen from the new species in their gut contents, supporting the species may be occasional predators and even cannibals. We also provide identification keys and comparative tables to the subfamilies of Sminthuridae and the Temeritas-group of genera.