A Survey of the Diplura, Microcoryphia, and Thysanura (Arthropoda: Insecta) in the GSMNP
A Survey of the Diplura, Microcoryphia, and Thysanura (Arthropoda: Insecta) in the GSMNP
The Southern Appalachians are the oldest mountains in North America, existing for at least 500 million years. Small, wingless and often blind primitive insects were some of the first animals to live on land, possibly including the Appalachian Mountains. Today the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the home of many of these primitive insects. We know very little about these inhabitants of the park. Preliminary data from collections during the past five years indicates there are many species unknown to science. During the summer of 2005 Dr. Robert T. Allen will spend approximately two months intensively surveying the GSMNP, collecting, identifying, and studying three of these ancient insect orders (the diplurans, jumping springtails, and silverfish). Dr. Allen's project is part of a larger program sponsored by Discover Life In America and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
During June and July of 2005 the PI (Robert T. Allen) and his associates were able to collect representatives of one or more of the apterygote hexapod orders (Protura, Collembola, Diplura, Microcoryphia) from 95 different localities in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Approximately 500 Diplura, 600+ Protura, and 37 Microcoryphia were collected. An undetermined number of Protura and Collembola remain in alcohol. Among the Diplura were 4 previously described species and 1 or 2 possibly new species. The Protura were represented by 11 previously described species and possibly 9 new species. The Microcoryphia represented two previously described and one undescribed new species. No specimens of Thysanura were collected, although 1 immature specimen belonging to this order was identified from material previously collected in a Malaise trap. The work to date shows that the GSMNP supports a healthy population of most of the apterygote hexapod orders. A great deal of additional work would be required to adequately define this fauna
