Phylogenetic study of Indian Collembolan: an evaluation in Uttar Pradesh

Springtails (Collembola) from the largest of the three lineages of modern hexapods that are no longer considered insects (the other two are the Protura and Diplura). Although the three orders are sometimes grouped together in a class called Entognatha because they have internal mouthparts, they do not appear to be any more closely related to one another than they all are to insects, which have external mouthparts. Collembolans are omnivorous, free-living organisms that prefer moist conditions. They do not directly engage in the decomposition of organic matter but contribute to it indirectly through the fragmentation of organic matter and the control of soil microbial communities. The word "Collembola" is from the ancient Greek "Glue" and "Peg"; this name was given due to the existence of the collophore, which was previously thought to stick to surfaces in order to stabilize the insect. It is necessary to study the phylogeny of collembolans to explore evolutionary status.