Collembolan

/kəˈlɛmbələn/ adjective, noun

Definition

Relating to or being a member of collembola (springtails); describing these tiny jumping arthropods or their characteristics.

Etymology

From collembola + -an (adjective/noun-forming suffix). Functions both as an adjective ('collembolan features') and as a noun ('that collembolan is hopping away'). Follows the pattern of many scientific taxonomic terms.

Kelly Says

Springtails have been jumping around Earth for over 300 million years—longer than dinosaurs—and they can jump 100 times their own body length, which would be like a human jumping a football field from standing still!

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