Abstract
Summary 1. The numbers of pseudoscorpions obtained from monthly samples of leaf litter depends on (a) the condition of the pseudoscorpions, (b) the efficiency and possible bias of the Tullgren funnel extraction technique, (c) the vertical movements of individuals between litter and soil. 2. Each of these prerequisites for the judgment of the reliability of the data is reviewed and it is concluded that (a) only free-living individuals are extracted by Tullgren funnels, not those encased in silken chambers built for moulting, hibernation and brood purposes, (b) the efficiency of the Tullgren funnels is higher and the bias lower than in other methods, (c) a winter migration from litter to soil occurs. 3. Two common seasonal changes in the densities of pseudoscorpions in litter cannot be accounted for in terms of either mortality or recruitment in a single generation. Thus (a) the observed decrease in density over the period November–March is explained in terms of migration into the soil and/or hibernation an...
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