Furcula (springtail)

The furcula, or furca is present in most species of springtails. It is a forked, tail-like appendage, attached ventrally to the fourth abdominal segment. The organ most often is present in species of Collembola that live in the upper soil layers; they use it for jumping when the animal is threatened.^[1] While at rest, it is retracted under the abdomen and held there by a structure variously called the retinaculum or hamula,^[2] which in turn is located beneath the third abdominal segment. When the furcula escapes from retinaculum, it swings downwards and hits the substrate, propelling the springtail into the air. The animal does not use this mechanism for locomotion, but only for escaping from predators or severe stress.

One reason not to use the furcula for general locomotion other than to escape threats, is that its action is very unpredictable; when the furcula is released, the springtail is sent tumbling through the air on a practically arbitrary trajectory, and lands almost randomly. That may have advantages in escaping some forms of attack, but is not of much use in adopting any particular route.

Although the action of the furcula is hard to predict, it is versatile. Even a springtail drifting on the surface tension of a layer of water often can jump successfully. Furthermore the furcula is effective in environments typical of Collembola; most predators of springtails are small and many have little power of sight, so if the prey leaps in time, the chances are that from the hunter's point of view, it simply vanishes.

Some species of Collembola, for instance in the genus Hypogastrura, have only a very short furcula. Some other species have no furcula at all; examples include the intertidal marine species Anurida maritima and some riparian species that live on the brink of flowing fresh water. The absence of a furcula in such species commonly is explained as an adaptation to a way of life in which a jumping or flying organ might get the animals into trouble more often than it rescues them. Its loss presumably is analogous the loss of the ability to fly, such as is common among birds and insects inhabiting oceanic islands.^[3]

References

1. Christian, E., 1978. The jump of the springtails. Naturwissenschaften 65:495-496.
2. Imms' General Textbook of Entomology: Volume 1: Structure, Physiology and Development Volume 2: Classification and Biology. Berlin: Springer. 1977. ISBN 0-412-61390-5.
3. Rempel, Jenny. The Evolution of Flightlessness in Galápagos Insects.