Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Author Spotlight: Exploring Bradysia coprophila's Unique Biology – A Guide to Laboratory Maintenance
Published on: April 19, 2024
Revisiting Szeptyckitheca Betsch & Weiner (Collembola, Symphypleona, Sminthuridae): new species, updated diagnoses,
Bruno Cavalcante Bellini1, Mariana Fernandes De Oliveira1, Wanda Maria Weiner2
1Department of Botany and Zoology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Highway BR-101, Lagoa Nova, Campus Universitário, Natal 59072-970, RN, Brazil Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte Natal Brazil.
Abstract:
Szeptyckitheca Betsch & Weiner is a genus of Sphyrothecinae (Sminthuridae) similar to Sphyrotheca Börner, with 13 nominal species. Most descriptions of Szeptyckitheca taxa lack valuable data in face of the current taxonomy of Symphypleona. In this study the previously described species of the genus were surveyed, aiming to provide updated diagnoses for them. Three species were also transferred to Szeptyckitheca: Sphyrothecakarlarum Palacios-Vargas, Vázquez & Cuéllar, 2003, S.peteri Palacios-Vargas, Vázquez & Cuéllar, 2003, and S.koreana Betsch & Weiner, 2009, based on trochanteral and/or dental chaetotaxy. Two new Brazilian species of the genus are described and illustrated, S.andrzeji Medeiros, Bellini & Weiner, sp. nov., with a remarkable reduced ventral dental chaetotaxy not seen in other Neotropical species, and S.cyanea Oliveira, Medeiros & Bellini, sp. nov. with a distinctive large set of head vertex spines (18). Finally, an updated key to all the valid species of the genus is presented.
