The springtail (Hexapoda, Collembola) fauna of Wrangel Island

Wrangel Island harbors an exceptionally diverse springtail (Collembola) fauna, with 89 species identified—far surpassing the richness typical of most Arctic Ocean islands. This unique biodiversity stems from a high proportion of amphi-Pacific species, suggesting its origins trace back to the Beringian Arctic sector. Despite this distinct composition, the island’s springtail community closely mirrors those found in Siberian tundra regions, with no anomalous patterns detected. The study synthesizes published data and recent sampling to reveal these insights, highlighting Wrangel Island as a key outlier in Arctic terrestrial biodiversity.

Babenko, A. B. (2010). The springtail (Hexapoda, Collembola) fauna of Wrangel Island. Entomological Review, 90(5), 571–584. https://doi.org/10.1134/s0013873810050040