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water springtails
Podura aquatica
36.7111, -107.985
Field Notes
Description:
Springtails are fascinating tiny arthropods, among the most numerous creatures on earth that are visible to the unaided eye. These water springtails hang out on the surface of water, eating algae and decaying material. They are less than 2mm long and able to jump across the water without breaking its surface tension.
Although water springtails live only around water, I've regularly found them in desert areas where water is ephemeral. These were living in a very temporary mud puddle.
Notes:
It's interesting to compare these little guys to some of the other springtails I've found over the last year or two:
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7440176
http://textless.tumblr.com/post/4076109537/today-i-saw-at-least-100-000…
Species ID Suggestions
Spotted for Missions
Photographed
PublishedNovember 13, 2011
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