Abstract
Terrestrial isopods (Crustacea) are macro decomposers of organic matter and bio accumulators of metals. Soil management and farming practices have changed the population dynamics of isopods, jeopardizing the balance of agro ecosystems. We investigated the potential of preserved forest areas as a refuge for isopod populations in agro ecosystems. The investigation was carried out in areas with different cover types: beans, corn, soybeans, rye grass and adjacent preserved native forest areas. We sampled three points at random using squares of 40 cm x 40 cm, in which we collected the litter of the forest area and a 0-10 cm layer of soil. We also estimated the organic matter, pH and soil moisture. The isopods were removed from the samples, counted and preserved. Forty-three specimens were found in the forest samples and none in the samples from cultivated areas. Only two distinct species were identified. The results showed the impact of agricultural areas on populations of terrestrial isopods, and the importance of preserved forest areas as a refuge for isopods.
Highlights
Found in the forest samples and none in the samples from cultivated areas
The results showed the impact of agricultural areas on populations of terrestrial isopods, and the importance of preserved forest areas as a refuge for isopods
O habitat dos crustáceos terrestres é encontrado em todos os continentes, em paisagem de florestas temperadas e tropicais e cavernas, há registros de mais de 3637 espécies no mundo, sendo 112 no Brasil, e 27 espécies no Rio Grande do Sul
Summary
Os Isopodas da subordem Oniscidea são considerados os primeiros crustáceos verdadeiramente terrestres (Rupert et al, 2005). Algumas espécies atraqueadas mantiveram as brânquias, e foram classificados como crustáceos terrestres atraqueados umícolas, dependentes de lugares com considerável umidade no solo para a respiração (Furlan, 1996). O habitat dos crustáceos terrestres é encontrado em todos os continentes, em paisagem de florestas temperadas e tropicais e cavernas, há registros de mais de 3637 espécies no mundo, sendo 112 no Brasil, e 27 espécies no Rio Grande do Sul. Algumas espécies como Armadillidium vulgare, Armadillo spp. e Porcelio scaber, são as mais abundantes, estando presentes em variados locais do globo terrestre devido a sua capacidade de viver em diversos habitats, sendo sua distribuição uma importante ferramenta para estudo (Araújo et al, 1996; Paoletti e Hassall, 1999); Schmalfuss, 2003; Hassal et al, 2006). Isto reforça a ideia da importância das áreas de preservação legal como um importante refúgio para esse grupo de organismos
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