http://www.collembola.org/key/nigergrp.htm - Last updated on 2024.10.31 by Frans Janssens
Checklist of the Collembola: Key to the species of the Sminthurinus niger look-alikes

This key is still under construction. Note that missing figures will be provided as soon as possible. Currently, the key is in the feasibility study phase to find out how to integrate in the checklist in a modular way a key that has been generated with DELTA.

Frans Janssens, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, B-2020, Belgium

Acknowlegements

We would like to thank, in alphabetical order, Marie Louise Huskens, Gertjan Kamsteeg, Philippe Lebaux, Simon Robson, Sun Tiky, Renko Usami, Brian Valentine, David W. for the use of their pictures as illustrations in the key.

Rationale

The rationale for taxa used and not used as well as subtaxonomic classification for some taxa is to be provided.

Key

Note that no distinction between subtaxa and taxa is made in the key.

    
1(0). Ocellus C distinctly visible (fig.1).......................... 2
      Ocellus C indistinct (fig.2)................................. 7

Fig.1.
  

Fig.2.
   
2(1). Ocellus C equal in size as other ocelli (fig.1)............... 3
      Ocellus C smaller then other ocelli (fig.3)....................
         ....................................... Gisinianus flammeolus

Fig.3.
   
3(2). Eyebrow length about as equal as the distance between ocellus G
        and H (fig.4); eyebrow shape semicircular in dorsal aspect,
        inner margin with 3 dents (fig.5); eyebrow size small,
        inter-eyebrow distance at least 2.5 times the width of the
        eyebrow (fig.6).................................... lawrencei
      Eyebrow length at least equal to the distance between ocellus G
        and C (fig.7); eyebrow shape triangular in frontal aspect,
        dorsally at ocellus G broad, ventrally at ocellus C narrow
        (fig.7); eyebrow size large, inter-eyebrow distance at most 2
        times the width of the eyebrow (fig.7)...................... 4

Fig.4.
  

Fig.5.
  

Fig.6.
  

Fig.7.
   
4(3). Eyebrow in one part........................................... 5
      Eyebrow in two parts, bicoloured, ventral part brownisch or
        reddish (fig.8) (fig.9)........................... domesticus

Fig.8.
  

Fig.9.
   
5(4). Eyebrow not circumventing eye; eyebrow anteriorly pointed, not
        touching ocellus C (fig.10).......................... concolor
      Eyebrow partly circumventing eye in C-shape (fig.11) (fig.12);
        eyebrow anteriorly not pointed, touching ocellus C (fig.7).. 6

Fig.10.
  

Fig.11.
  

Fig.12.
   
6(5). Fronto-ocular sutures dark; eyepatch with 2 ocular setae
        (fig.13)................................................ niger
      Fronto-ocular sutures pale (fig.7) (fig.14); eyepatch with 1
        ocular seta........................................... alpinus

Fig.13.
  

Fig.14.
   
7(1). Fifth abdominal segment fused with large abdomen (fig.15)..... 8
      Fifth abdominal segment not fused with large abdomen (fig.16)...
         ...................................... Stenognathellus denisi

Fig.15.
  

Fig.16.
   
8(7). Legs and antennae dark same colour as body..... aureus f atratus
      Legs and antennae more orange (fig.15)........ aureus f ochropus

Endnotes

1 The ocular setae may be difficult to see, given that depends on the quality, resolution and/or magnification, hence confirmatory characters are provided when possible.

References