Locomotor Response ofFolsomia candida(Collembola: Isotomidae) to Cooling Temperatures

Abstract

ABSTRACT Groups of Folsomia Candida (Willem) were chilled to 0°C and warmed back to room temperature to measure their locomotor response to cooling and determine the chill coma temperature of the species. Results showed that the frequency of walking springtails, in groups being chilled down to 0°C, was initially similar to that of control groups held at room temperature before consistently declining to chill coma thresholds well above the freezing point. Body size had a significant effect on response to chilling but not to recovery. Jumping, in groups being chilled, was absent from tests conducted in humid arenas but an important part of the locomotor response in dry arenas. Chill coma thresholds were higher in dry than in humid arenas. In a 4–33°C thermal gradient, warm-acclimated and cold-acclimated springtails distributed themselves over the whole gradient, but with a preference for sections at 8–11 and 5–8°C, respectively. Together, test results did not support the hypothesis that, for F. Candida, loc...