springtail
Springtails, or Collembola, are tiny, wingless insects found in diverse habitats across India. They play a crucial role in soil health by decomposing organic matter. Springtails have a unique jumping mechanism using a furcula, which helps them evade predators. They are vital for nutrient cycling and are indicators of soil quality. Despite their importance, they remain largely unnoticed in ecological studies.
Researchers discovered Plutomurus ortobalaganensis, a specialized species of springtail, during the Ibero-Russian CaveX expedition in 2010. Found at a depth of 1,980 meters within the Krubera-Voronja cave system...
May 6, 2026