collophore

[kol-uh-fawr, -fohr]

noun

Entomology.

1. a ventral tubelike structure on the abdomen of a springtail.

Word History and Origins

Origin of collophore¹

1875–80; < Greek koll ( a ) glue + -o- + -phore

Example Sentences

Other scientists later disputed this explanation of the collophore’s function.

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In the 20th century, the most widely accepted functional explanation for the collophore — the only part of the springtail’s body that attracts water — was as a way to suck up nutrients.

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He found that a springtail’s collophore was involved in all parts of the jump.

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Dr. Ortega Jiménez said the springtails’ control largely came from their most distinctive and enigmatic feature, the collophore, a tube sticking out of their abdomens.

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Chests out, the springtails landed, and the watery collophore gave them a more stable base and a sticky adherence to the surface.

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