Phenology of Protura in a northwestern Italian forest soil (Hexapoda: Protura)

Abstract

GALLI L., CAPURRO M., SHRUBOVYCH J., TORTI C. 2012. Phenology of Protura in a northwestern Italian forest soil (Hexapoda: Protura). Acta zool. cracov., 55(1): 33-43. Abstract. Protura extracted from soil and litter samples collectedmonthly in aQuercus suber wood (from February 2007 to January 2008) near Bergeggi (Liguria, NW Italy) were studied. Of 786 mounted specimens, 682 were determined to specific level and attributable to 11 species: Proturentomon minimum, Acerentulus confinis, Acerentulus terricola, Gracilentulus gracilis, Acerentomon affine, Acerentomon doderoi, Acerentomon italicum, Acerentomon maius, Acerella tiarnea, Eosentomon noseki and Eosentomon transitorium. A. terricola is a new record for the Italian fauna. Two peaks of Protura abundance were found (March-April and June, respectively); however they were still substantial throughout the winter and spring, while in August and September there was a minimum, probably due to summer drought. Phenology of the dominant species (Acerentulus confinis, Acerentomon italicum, Acerentomon maius, Acerella tiarnea and Eosentomon transitorium) was examined.