Entomobrya zona

Entomobrya zona or the Rocky Mountain Springtail, is a species of springtail found in the Rocky Mountains, and they are also known from three caves in the Grand Canyon.[1] They are commonly found at high altitudes under rocks, and logs and in the entrance and twilight zones of caves. Little is known about their biology though they are thought to be trogolophiles.

Entomobrya zona
Entomobrya zona from Colorado
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Entognatha
Order:
Entomobryomorpha
Family:
Entomobryidae
Genus:
Entomobrya
Species:
E. zona
Binomial name
Entomobrya zona
Christiansen and Bellinger, 1980

Description

Entomobrya zona is tan with black markings and grows to about 2 millimeters long. They often have a wide dark band running down the center of their abdomen which coupled with their distribution can be used to easily identify the species.

Habitat

They are known from elevations of 6,300 feet (1920 meters) to over 10,000 feet (3048 meters). These springtails can be found in arid environments and in coniferous forests in the Rockies and westward. They can be often seen in caves, under rocks, wood logs and other debris.

Distribution

Range from central Mexico up into far southern Alaska. They are found at high elevations throughout their range.[2]


References
  1. Wynne, J. Judson; Voyles, Kyle D. (2014). "Cave-Dwelling Arthropods and Vertebrates of North Rim Grand Canyon, with Notes on Ecology and Management". Western North American Naturalist. 74 (1): 1–17. doi:10.3398/064.074.0102.
  2. http://collembola.org/
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