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| Collembola are about 3 mm long - tiny! Photo by Kenney |
Collembola, a.k.a. “springtails,” can be found on the forest
floor and near wetlands where they’re beginning their annual breeding
congregations. Springtails are closely related to insects but in their own
taxonomic class (or subclass, depending on whom you talk to). They are tiny –
really tiny – measuring much less than 6 mm in most cases. Around Boston, most of our
Collembola are 2 or 3 mm. They are all black, have a distinct head with jointed
antennae, a thorax with three pairs of legs, and an abdomen with no legs.
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| Breeding congregation on a small puddle. Photo by Burne |
What makes Collembola particularly unique is an appendage on
the end of the abdomen called a furcula. This forked appendage is held against
the bottom of the abdomen, and when released, causes the animal to be launched several
centimeters, giving them their moniker. Since they’re often found at the end of
winter on snow, they’re also known as “snow fleas.”
In a funny sort of symmetry, Collembola have a mating
strategy very similar to our favorite vernal pool vertebrate, the Spotted
Salamander. Males deposit a stalked spermatophore that females gather; there’s
no contact between the two.
Most Collembola are terrestrial and will be found throughout
forested areas. There are many species that are semi-aquatic, though, and these
will often be found around vernal pools, especially in spring. They utilize the
water surface for breeding and feeding; they will often be seen bounding around
the surface of a pool with all of the other organisms that are busily going
about their business.
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| Wee little snow fleas on the trail. Photo by Burne |
So take a close look around you on trails in the woods as
you’re waiting for the snow to melt. There’s a lot to see, especially if you
get low and look closely! ~MR Burne
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