A contribution to the knowledge of the genus Ceratophysella Bӧrner, 1932 (Collembola, Hypogastruridae) of Iran

Ceratophysella Bӧrner, 1932 is the second largest genus of the family Hypogastruridae and contains 146 species from all over the world, with nine species reported from Iran. Specimens were extracted from soil and leaf litter samples using a modified Berlese funnel. The DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene were obtained from the whole body of Ceratophysella specimens. A Maximum Likelihood tree is also generated based on the sequences of COI gene representing the overall phylogenetic affinities of the known Ceratophysella species. In the present study, C. communis (Folsom, 1897) and C. impedita Skarzynski, 2002 are recorded for the first time from Iran. Ceratophysella, communis is re-described, and its diagnostic characters are illustrated. An identification key to Ceratophysella species of Iran is given.