A collophore is a tube-like structure on the ventral side of the first abdominal segment of the body of a collembolan. It used to be believed that it served to stabilise the animal when it jumped by sticking to the surface on which it moved. However, the scientific consensus is now that it plays a role in osmoregulation, water uptake and excretion^[1].

[edit] References

1. ^ Eisenbeis, G., 1982. Physiological absorption of liquid water by Collembola: absorption by the ventral tube at different salinities. Journal of Insect Physiology 28:11-20.

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