Entognatha

Entognatha is a grouping of hexapods whose mouthparts are enclosed within the head. It includes springtails, proturans, and diplurans.

Hexapoda: Hexapoda is the group of arthropods with six legs, including insects and three groups of entognathans. Entognatha is one of the major lineages within this six-legged group.
Arthropod head: The arthropod head is a fused body region bearing sensory organs and feeding appendages. Entognathy depends on how head structures enclose the mouthparts.
Insect evolution: Insect evolution is the history of insects and their relatives from early hexapod ancestors to living diversity. Entognathans illuminate the early diversification of hexapods near the origin of insects.
Soil ecosystem: A soil ecosystem is the community of organisms interacting with one another and with the physical soil environment. Many entognathans live in soil and participate in its small-scale food webs.
Entognathy: Entognathy is the condition in which mouthparts are enclosed within the head capsule. This anatomical feature gives Entognatha its name and distinguishes it from insects.
Mandible: A mandible is a paired jaw used to grasp, cut, or grind food. The position and articulation of entognathan mandibles help characterize their feeding anatomy.
Fossil record of Collembola: The fossil record of Collembola documents springtails from ancient deposits, including Devonian material. Ancient springtail fossils provide evidence about the early history of an entognathan lineage.
Collembola in soil: Collembola in soil are springtails living among soil pores, litter, and decaying organic matter. Their abundance makes springtails useful indicators and subjects in soil ecology.
Collembola: Collembola, or springtails, are small hexapods noted for a springing organ called the furcula. Springtails are a diverse and familiar lineage traditionally grouped within Entognatha.
Maxilla: A maxilla is a paired mouthpart that manipulates food and may bear sensory palps. Maxillae lie within the head capsule in entognathans, alongside the mandibles.

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