Identification of Folsomia sp. and its ornamentation characteristics from Punjab (India) using molecular and scanning electron microscopy analysis

Abstract

Barcoding of DNA has become the preferred method for identifying many species, including arthropods. Currently, DNA barcodes are focused on different animal taxa, including arthropods. In light of this global trend, we used this method to identify Collembola. During the month of 2019, a survey was conducted in Jalandhar (Punjab) to identify the Collembola species living in the local fauna. DNA barcoding and scanning electron microscopy are both used in the Collembola identification process. The results indicated the existence of a wide range of Collembola species. In Punjab, the species Folsomia quadrioculata (Tullberg 1871) was discovered during the survey and identification using molecular analysis. To gain a deeper understanding of the properties of the cuticle, an SEM examination of the surface structure of Folsomia quadrioculata was performed. As a result of this discovery, a valuable genomic resource is now available that can be used for future research on the comparative genomics of Collembola as well as its evolutionary history.