Cryptopygus antarcticus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subclass: | Collembola |
Order: | Entomobryomorpha |
Family: | Isotomidae |
Genus: | Cryptopygus |
Species: | C. antarcticus
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Binomial name | |
Cryptopygus antarcticus Willem, 1901 [1]
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Subspecies | |
Cryptopygus antarcticus antarcticus |
Cryptopygus antarcticus, the Antarctic springtail, is a species of springtail native to Antarctica [2] and Australia.[1] Cryptopygus antarcticus average 1–2 millimetres (0.04–0.08 in) long and weigh only a few micrograms.[2] Like other springtails, the Antarctic springtail has been found to be useful as a bioindicator of pollution and has been used to study microplastic pollution in Antarctica.[3][4] They also tend aggregate, by signaling to other individuals via pheromones, especially when temperatures are low, to avoid a high water loss rate.[5]