Among the basal hexapods, Collembola or springtails are by far the best represented in the collection at the Faculty of Sciences, UNAM. Most other basal hexapods have been neglected for many years, and few contributions have been published about Protura, Diplura, Archaeognatha and Zygentoma. Collembola has representatives of 672 species distributed among more than 100 genera and 21 families. We have more than 100 holotypes and about 2,700 paratypes. We still need good morphological studies of the species living in Mexico, with very precise descriptions and illustrations, before we can develop a comprehensive research program on the cladistic, biogeographic and ecological analyses of the fauna of the region. Recent studies on canopy fauna have allowed us to evaluate the importance of Collembola in this ecosystem. Ongoing ecological studies compare the effects of pollution on springtail communities and the role of they have in the formation and quality of compost.