Cryptopygus antarcticus

Cryptopygus antarcticus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Collembola
Order:	Entomobryomorpha
Family:	Isotomidae
Genus:	Cryptopygus
Species:	C. antarcticus
Binomial name
Cryptopygus antarcticus Willem, 1901 [1]
Subspecies
Cryptopygus antarcticus antarcticus Cryptopygus antarcticus maximus Cryptopygus antarcticus reagens Cryptopygus antarcticus travei

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]

References

1. "Species Cryptopygus antarcticus Willem, 1901". Australian Faunal Directory. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. January 21, 2010. Archived from the original on March 22, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
2. Linda Capper (September 27, 2007). "Antarctic plants and animal life survived ice ages". British Antarctic Survey.
3. Hager, Julia (25 June 2020). "Microplastic in Antarctic soil animals". Polarjournal. Archived from the original on 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
4. Staudenmaier, Rebecca (24 June 2020). "Microplastics found for first time in Antarctica's food chain". DW.COM. Archived from the original on 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
5. Benoit, J. B.; Elnitsky, M. A.; Schulte, G. G.; Lee, R. E.; Denlinger, D. L. (2008-11-06). "Antarctic Collembolans Use Chemical Signals to Promote Aggregation and Egg Laying". Journal of Insect Behavior. 22 (2): 121–133. doi:10.1007/s10905-008-9159-7. ISSN 0892-7553. S2CID 914560.