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Furcula

The furcula is a spike that is held underneath the body of Collembola/springtails. The spike is held under tension and kept in place with a 'peg' protruding from the underside of the springtail. If the springtail is disturbed it releases the spike, this hits the ground under the springtail and propels it into the air.

A photograph of the springtail _Isotoma habitus_ (Collembola, Isotomidae).

A photograph of the springtail Isotoma habitus
Photograph by Onychiurus, used under GFDL

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