Protura (Noun)
Meaning
Minute wingless arthropods: telsontails.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Protura is a small group of minute wingless arthropods, often referred to as telsontails or proturans.
- Proturans have a characteristic elongated abdomen with a long, thin extension called a telsontail, which is thought to be sensory in function.
- The unique body structure of protura arthropods allows them to move efficiently through tight spaces in soil and other substrate materials.
- Protura species have only been found in moist habitats with rich organic matter, where they play a critical role in decomposing organic waste.
- Proturans belong to the class Entognatha, a subphylum of arthropods that also includes springtails and diplurans.