A Molecular and Morphological Investigation of the Springtail Genus Orchesella (Collembola: Entomobryomorpha: Entomobryidae)

Author

Catherine Louise Smith, University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleFollow

Date of Award

5-2015

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Entomology and Plant Pathology

Major Professor

John K. Moulton

Committee Members

Ernest C. Bernard, Juan Luis Jurat-Fuentes

Abstract

Chapter 1 is devoted to a molecular overview of the North American members of the springtail genus Orchesella using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Both genes strongly support the presence of four major clades within Orchesella. Chapter 2 is a morphological revision of the species near Orchesella celsa Christiansen & Bellinger. Five new species are described based largely on chaetotaxonomical differences in. Chapter 3 is an investigation into the origins of United States populations of two introduced European members of the genus, Orchesella cincta Linnaeus and Orchesella villosa Linnaeus. Mitochondrial data between populations from the two continents indicates multiple introductions for O. cincta, and the possibility of cryptic species in the European populations of O. villosa.

Recommended Citation

Smith, Catherine Louise, "A Molecular and Morphological Investigation of the Springtail Genus Orchesella (Collembola: Entomobryomorpha: Entomobryidae). " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2015.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/3410