Abstract

Some springtails (Collembola) are known to be tolerant to drought. They adapt to extreme environmental conditions by going into diapause or anhydrobiosis. The purpose of the present study was to assess the desiccation and the heat tolerance of an epedaphic springtail community of a grassland habitat (lawn). Survival at high temperatures with regard to these parameters has also been investigated. Out of the seven collected species (Ceratophysella cavicola, Entomobrya multifasciata, Lepidocyrtus cyaneus, Sminthurinus aureus, Sminthurinus elegans, Sminthurus viridis, and Sphaeridia pumilis) diapause was observed in S. elegans (up to 60 days), S. viridis (90 days), S. pumilis and C. cavicola (246 days). Only C. cavicola showed anhydrobiosis. Sphaeridia pumilis survives extreme heating up to 120 °C.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.