A new species of Arrhopalites Börner (Collembola, Symphypleona, Arrhopalitidae) from China, with a key to the Asian species of the caecus group

Abstract

The second species of Arrhopalites from China is described and illustrated and an identification key to the Asian species of the caecus group is presented. Arrhopalites brevicornissp. nov. is the eleventh species of the caecus group recorded in Asia and it can be clearly differentiated by the unguiculus III with 2 internal teeth (0–1 in all other species). Also, the combination of antennae less than 2 times the size of the head, antennal segment IV without annulations, 1+1 eyes, dorsal head with 9 spines, 2+2 regular spines per side on the anal valves, circumanal chaetae without basal serrations, subanal appendage long and apically serrated, manubrium with 5+5, and dorsal dens with 16 chaetae is unique among the Asian species of the caecus group.

Characterization of Springtail (Arrhopalites caecus) for Use in Soil Ecotoxicity Testing

“…Arrhopalites caecus is a globular springtail of the family Arrhopalitidae, a family currently comprising nearly 150 described species (Bellinger et al, 2023; Godeiro et al, 2022). This species shares many of the traits that make F. candida an ideal laboratory test organism.…”

“…It has a worldwide distribution and has been identified in diverse epedaphic or hemiedaphic habitats, including cave systems and forest leaf litter in North America, Europe, and Asia, and so is a representative test organism across jurisdictions (Babenko et al, 2019; Baquero et al, 2021; Boitaud et al, 2006; Christiansen, 1966). Like F. candida , this species reproduces using a parthenogenetic life cycle, which simplifies toxicological testing and makes it a more attractive option to many researchers than species that reproduce sexually (Godeiro et al, 2022; Moore et al, 2005). Arrhopalites caecus has also been successfully cultured in a laboratory setting and had been successfully kept for several years prior to the start of the present study (J. Schmidt, University of Guelph, personal communication, April 2018).…”