Distribution Of Collembola Research Articles

Checklist and distribution of Collembola from Greater Puerto Rico.

BackgroundSpringtails (Arthropoda, Hexapoda, Collembola) are small arthropods commonly found in soil, litter and other habitats all around the Globe. More than 9,000 species have been described worldwide, but knowledge about their diversity and distribution remains far from complete. Reports of springtail diversity in the Antilles are uneven, some islands are relatively well known, whereas others have not been explored at all. The fauna of Puerto Rico is reasonably well known, but many recent reports are scattered in published literature and unpublished theses.New informationHere, we present a summary of all springtail species identified from the Bank of Puerto Rico, including unpublished records. As a result, we list 146 species including 43 unnamed, included in 65 genera and 17 families. Most species, 33, belong to Entomobryidae, but this possibly reflects the taxonomic expertise of specialists working in Puerto Rico rather than a real bias in the distribution of higher taxa in the islands. In addition to the new records, the database provides information on the world and local distribution of species listed. The dataset, presented here, is work in progress and will be updated as ongoing taxonomic inventories are completed.

COLLEMBOLA POPULATION AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE LITTER OF THREE TYPES OF LAND USED ON BUNGO DISTRICT JAMBI PROVINCE, INDONESIA

The study had been conducted on February to July 2014. It was determined the population and distribution of Collembola on litter in the three types of land used, secondary forest, rubber plantation and oil palm plantation. This study was used belt quadrat methods with measure 25 x 25 cm2. Generally, total individual of Collembola were found 248. Total Index diversity was 1.76.

Arthropods in the subsoil: Abundance and vertical distribution as related to soil organic matter, microbial biomass and plant roots

Large pools of organic carbon are stored in deep soil horizons (subsoil). Decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) is driven by microorganisms that are in turn grazed by metazoan animals. Microbial populations and animal food webs in the soil are both at least partly dependent on labile organic carbon provided by plant roots. In this study, we described the vertical distribution of total Corg, microbial biomass, root biomass and the density of soil arthropods in deep layers (down to 110–210 cm depth) of three soils formed under the south taiga, broadleaved forest and forested steppe vegetation. By modeling the vertical distribution of animal population we estimated the soil depths above which 90% of the animals live (SD90 values). These values were the highest for Collembola, Protura and Symphyla (43–116, 69–144 and 54–95 cm, respectively, across the study locations), but relatively low for Acari (32–55 cm). In the forested steppe, less than 50% of all microarthropods and less than 10% of all insects inhabited litter and the uppermost 10 cm of mineral soil. Using generalized linear mixed-effect models we showed that the distribution of Collembola in the subsoil (below 30 cm) depended on root biomass and total Corg content, while the distribution of mites was affected by total Corg content and microbial biomass. The density of collembolans correlated significantly with root biomass both in the upper and lower parts of the soil profile. This suggests that soil fauna are involved in deep soil C cycling largely via grazing on root-associated microorganisms.

Different-scale distribution of collembola in homogenous ground vegetation: Stability of parameters in space and time

We have tested the hypothesis about the existence of species-specific patterns of local spatial distribution of Collembola, i.e., combinations of differently sized aggregations or the absence of distinct aggregations. The presence of such patterns was previously demonstrated for some abundant collembolan species in the sphagnum pine forests of Karelia using the special fractal design of surveys, with groups of core samples taken at different distances. The aim of the present work was to find out whether the patterns observed in sphagnum pine forests were preserved in the mesophytic and xerophytic variants, namely green moss and lichen pine forests. As a rule, the parameters of local spatial distribution of species were quite similar in different seasons, in drier habitats as well as in humid ones. Some characteristics of collembolan aggregations at different levels, such as their size, density, and strength relative to the background, were described, and the occurrence of individual species in differently sized plots was estimated. On the whole, the typical traits of local spatial distribution of collembolan species were preserved not only within each biotope but also in different habitats. However, these species-specific patterns were not absolutely constant, as some species became more clumped under xerophytic conditions. The types of spatial redistribution of springtails accompanying an increase in their population density are discussed.

Different-scale distribution of Collembola in homogenous ground vegetation: Sphagnum moss

Patterns of spatial distribution of Collembola were studied in sphagnum pine forests (Karelia, northwest of European Russia) in habitats of the same type using plots varying in area from 1 dm2 to 100 m2. The fractal design of counts with groups of samples taken from 5 cm to 10 m apart was used. The mosaic distribution and density of aggregations were assessed on different scales. Based on four model species, the patterns of spatial distribution were shown to be species-specific and constant in time and space. Two main types of species distribution (“continuous” and “spotty”) were distinguished. Such factors as relative humidity, mass of moss cover, and litter thickness only insignificantly affected the collembolan distribution within humid biotopes.

Vertical distribution of collembola, lumbricidae and elateridae in alluvial soils of floodplain forests

The species composition, abundance and, vertical distribution of Collembola (53 species), Lumbricidae (6 species), and Elateridae (12 species) are estimated in alluvial soils of the middle taiga floodplain forests. The significance of individual species in the formation of invertebrates communities in different biotopes are demonstrated, species that are adapted to high humidity are revealed. Invertebrates prefer to inhabit higher elements of the floodplain relief. The effects of relative “deepening” of groups of springtails and earthworms are demonstrated in wet soils of inter-ridge depressions.

Spatial distribution of spiders and epedaphic Collembola in an environmentally heterogeneous forest floor habitat

Describing the biotic and abiotic processes that are responsible for the formation of spatial patterns in predators and their prey is crucial for improving our understanding of food-web interactions. We studied the spatial distribution of four abundant spider species and three common groups of epedaphic Collembola prey in a beech-dominated (Fagus sylvatica) forest floor habitat and related the observed patterns to environmental heterogeneity, overall predator activity (all ground beetles and spiders) and prey availability (all Collembola) at the local scale. Spiders and epedaphic Collembola were sampled over 392 days in a spatially explicit design based on a regular grid of 25 pitfall traps (inter-trap distance 100 m). Environmental heterogeneity was characterized by cover of moss and litter as well as the amount of dead wood at each trap location. We first used the index of dispersion to characterize the spatial distribution of spider species and Collembola and then related the observed patterns to environmental heterogeneity, predator and prey availability while testing for spatial autocorrelation within the same models. All taxa were significantly more aggregated than expected from the assumption of random distribution. The distribution of spider species was positively (Coelotes terrestris) or negatively (Tenuiphantes zimmermanni and Tapinocyba insecta) related to the cover of moss and negatively related to litter cover (C. terrestris) or the local availability of prey (T. insecta). The distribution of Collembola was negatively related to local litter cover (Lepidocyrtus spp.) and positively related to the amount of medium deadwood pieces (all other Entomobryidae). Our study suggests that none of the spider species preferred areas of low overall predator activity density. Moreover, it does not indicate association of spider species to prey-rich areas at the analyzed scale of WO m. It further highlights the importance of environmental heterogeneity, as different habitat properties differentially affected the local activity density of spiders and Collembola and thus considerably contributed to the understanding of distribution patterns. (c) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. (Less)

Studies on Diversity and Distribution of Collembola in the Man Made Forest Ecosystem at Bibhuti Bhushan Wild Life Sanctuary, Parmadan, North 24 Pgs. District, West Bengal

Studies on Diversity and Distribution of Collembola in the Man Made Forest Ecosystem at Bibhuti Bhushan Wild Life Sanctuary, Parmadan, North 24 Pgs. District, West Bengal

Role of Microbial Flora on Distribution of Collembola at Waste Disposal Site, Dhapa, Kolkata

The ecology of collembolan fauna as well as microbial communities in soil was studied earlier in India by several workers like Mitra et al., (1977), Alfred et al., (1991), Hazra and Choudhuri (1981, '83) and Hazra et al., (1976, '99, 2003). But studies on the distribution of soil fauna in general and Collembola with association of microbial flora in particular in tropical countries have not been undertaken seriously, especially in India. The present study deals with the association of the predominant species of microbial flora and their role on distribution of Collembola at waste disposal site, Dhapa, Kolkata.

Mapping, characterisation, and comparison of the spatio‐temporal distributions of cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala), carabids, and Collembola in a crop of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

AbstractThe spatio‐temporal distribution of Psylliodes chrysocephala (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a pest of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) (L.) (Cruciferae) and its potential predators, carabid beetles, within a crop of winter oilseed rape is described. The distribution of Collembola, a potential alternative food source for the predators, is also investigated. Insects were collected from spatially referenced sampling points across the crop and the counts mapped, analysed, and the degree of spatial association between the distributions determined using Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs (SADIE). Immigration into the crop by adult P. chrysocephala occurred from two edges and resulted in a non‐uniform distribution of the pest within the crop. Infestation of rape plants by P. chrysocephala larvae was greatest within the central area of the crop. Significant spatial association between adult female P. chrysocephala and the larval infestation of plants occurred throughout October. Three carabid species were active and abundant during peak pest immigration into the crop, viz., Trechus quadristriatus (Schrank) (Coleoptera: Carabidae), Pterostichus madidus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Carabidae), and Nebria brevicollis (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Two of these species, T. quadristriatus and P. madidus, showed significant spatial association with the larvae of P. chrysocephala during October. All three carabid species showed a significant spatial association with Collembola during mid‐September, indicating that the latter may be an important food source for carabids during this period. In laboratory feeding experiments, only T. quadristriatus consumed the eggs of P. chrysocephala suggesting that, in the adult stage, this species may be the most important of the naturally occurring carabids as a predator of P. chrysocephala in the field. Adult T. quadristriatus may be a valuable component of an Integrated Pest Management strategy for winter oilseed rape, and the conservation of this species could be beneficial.

Diversity and distribution of Collembola (Arthropoda : Hexapoda) of Brazil

Objectives of this study are to summarize the current state of knowledge of the diversity and distribution of Collembola in Brazil; to identify areas of most importance, interest, and need of additional research; and to enable development of experimental hypotheses for future research on Collembola in this region. The total number of collembolan species currently known from Brazil is 199, distributed among 19 families and 80 genera. The greatest numbers of species have been recorded from the states of Rio de Janeiro and Amazonas (with 69 and 56 species, respectively). Few or no species are known from most Brazilian states. Most of the species for which specific Brazilian environmental habitat information is available (93, 66%) are known only from forest environments. Most of the species (127, 64%) are known only from Brazil (most likely being endemic); 33 species (17%) are known only from Brazil and other neotropical areas; and 39 species (20%) have a distribution beyond the neotropical region. Results of this study indicate that much remains to be learned about the Brazilian collembolan fauna. This is especially true for areas of the northeastern, central-western, and southern regions. Studies to determine the species composition of collembolan communities in specific environments in Brazil are needed. The great diversity of Collembola species in Brazil is largely unknown and there are many opportunities for additional research on these environmentally important organisms in this area. Such additional research on the Collembola in Brazil is also essential for a better understanding of the neotropical (and world) collembolan fauna.

The effect of green manure on the distribution of collembola in a permanent row crop

Biomass, abundance, species composition of collembola, soil water content, and bulk density were investigated in four hop fields in Southern Bavaria. For each soil type, one field was supplied only with mineral fertilizers, and the second was additionally cultivated with underseed (oil-seed rape) to provide a green manure. Soils within and between rows were sampled separately over 2 years. The highest biomass of collembola was found in the sandy soil with underseed, whereas the individual numbers were highest in the loamy soil with underseed. In many cases total individual numbers and abundances of single species differed between soil types, green manure/mineral fertilization, and the sampling points (plant rows/rows between the plants). There were significant but low negative correlations between individual numbers of single species and water content (except for Isotomurus palustris) or bulk density. All results of this study were based on very common, widespread species. It is concluded that species abundances of collembola, even if they are euryoecious, are good indicators of soil type and different environmental conditions within the same soil type. The investigation of abundance and biomass showed that none of these parameters on its own was appropriate to compare populations either between or within the habitats investigated. Since both individual numbers and the standing crop of a population are important for nutrient turnover, in studies dealing with element fluxes their comparative analysis is indispensable.

Community structure and vertical distribution of Collembola and Cryptostigmata in a dry-turf cushion plant

In a dry-turf grassland ecosystem in the east of Austria, cushions of Dianthus lumnitzeri Wiesbaur (Caryophyllaceae) were inspected. The abundance, community structure, and vertical distribution of hemi- and euedaphic Collembola and Cryptostigmata were studied. Notable differences in the strategies of resource use by these two groups were detected. Collembola with annual mean densities of 7000 – 22000 individuals m-2 and large annual fluctuations in population size prefer the F layer but migrate vertically during severe microclimatic conditions to spread over the whole profile. Cryptostigmata (average adult densities up to 37000 individuals m-2, weak annual fluctuations) are confined to the F layer even in midsummer. A strict nutritional affinity to plant material in certain stages of decomposition is proposed as the explanation. Reflecting the distinction in spatial distribution, the community structure of Collembola appeared very even, with 6 species out of 13 sharing dominance while 1 oribatid genus out of 26 accounted for 64% of all individual Cryptostigmata. These obvious differences emphasize the finding that different mesofaunal taxa may develop different strategies in the formation of communities. Therefore, analysis of the whole community should be prefered to analysis of taxocoenoses.

The distribution of Collembola on a coal shale heap

The distribution of Collembola on a coal shale heap

The Effects of Sheep Numbers on Associations of Collembola in Sown Pastures

The Collembola are an important component of the invertebrate fauna of temperate grasslands and their abundance is influenced by domestic herbivore numbers (King & Hutchinson 1976). High stocking intensity modifies substantially the environment for invertebrates in sown pastures and this may affect their species richness, composition and spatial distribution. Changes in species diversity of grassland invertebrates have been associated with grazing (Morris 1971) and mowing and burning (Bulan & Barrett 1971). In this present paper the effects of sheep stocking intensity on the species richness, evenness, diversity, relative abundance and spatial distribution of Collembola are reported for sown perennial pastures at Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. The Collembola are a convenient group for studying the impact of management on grassland communities since they are abundant, are distributed throughout the herbage, litter and soil layers and their taxonomy has been well studied. The stocking treatments started in 1963 and the Collembola were collected in 1971-72 by which time it was assumed that the populations reflected the effects of the range of grazing intensities applied.

Dynamique de certains groupements de collemboles

Study of the dynamics of Collembola groups in the Camargue illustrates well the role of abiotic factors (content of water and salt). In the sansouire, the Thero-Brachy podium which has a very low salt content, supports by far the richest association, both in qualitative and quantitative terms. It contains not only exclusively deltaic species, but also so-called «provençales» species. In the more saline Salicornietum, the Collembola populations show only a simple impoverishment compared with the Thero-Brachypodium. All species found in the Salicornietum are also present in the Thero-Brachypodium. Similarly, the Arthrocnemetum supports lower populations that the other two areas. Salt plays a primary role in the distribution of Collembola, though its effect is somewhat counterbalanced by the presence of stretches of water. In fact, the areas of Arthrocnemetum situated at the edge of temporary pools are slightly richer in species than those areas which are never covered by water. Halophilic Collembola are not present but there are eurytopic species which can withstand very high salt concentrations. These observations support those made by Palissa in saline biotopes on the Baltic coast. The zonation of Collembola populations around the brackish flats in the Camargue may be extended to all inundated and littoral zones. Water surfaces and edges are populated by thalas-sobiontic or hygrophvllic species. As one moves away from these areas, these first species disappear and are replaced by pioneer species, generally ubiquitous in nature, which are characteristic of the neighbouring biotopes which are always present behind the instable zones.

Influence of crop and tillage on mites and springtails in arable soil.

Experimental data from Holland are discussed on the effects of soil type (light sandy soil to heavy clay and peaty soil) and crop (potato, oats, fallow etc.), as well as of cultivation (compared to no-tillage), on frequency and distribution of Collembola and Acari. In untilled soil, almost all the arthropods occurred in the top 5 cm, while in normally cultivated soil the soil fauna (including nematodes and earthworms) was more evenly distributed in the top horizons. Collembola and Acari were particularly affected by soil structure, moisture condition, the microflora present, and vegetal cover. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

Activity and Local Distribution of Surface-Active Collembola (Insecta): I. Woodland Populations

During the summer of 1964, surface-active Collembola were collected with 12 pitfall traps in an Indiana deciduous woodland. Peaks in collembolan activity were generally associa cd with rainfall periods, whereas minimum activity occurred after a four-week drouth. Based on prominence values and station occurrence, eight collembolan species were most prominent. Results of correlations using Kendall's tau coefficient indicated that light was an important factor affecting surface-active Collembola. This factor acted as a sJimulus to herbaceous growth, which influenced activity and distribution of Collembola both directly and indirectly.

The Formation and Biological Significance of Aggregations in the Distribution of Collembola

The formation and biological significance of aggregations of 6 species of surface dwelling Collembola of a coniferous forest soil were studied. The species are: Tomocerus minor (Lubbock), Lepidocyrtus cyaneus Tullberg, Orchesella cincta (Linne), Entomobrya nivalis (Linne), Isotomurus palustris (Muller) and Isotoma viridis Bourlet. All species showed a marked aggregation, but to a different degree and in different places, since the degree of aggregation of total Collembola appeared to be less than that of the individual species. The different degree of aggregation could not only in field studies, but also in laboratory experiments be related to the specific humidity preferences of the species. The stenohygric species Lepidocyrtus cyaneus, Isotoma viridis and Tomocerus minor appeared to have a high degree of aggregation, the euryhygric species Orchesella cincta and Entomobrya nivalis a lower one. The observations contribute to the view that aggregation is the result of the coming together of individuals by undirected movements in sites with optimum humidity conditions, the specific movements being stimulated by drought. The biological significance of aggregation is described as a protectional function (survival, moulting) and as a meeting system where reproductive behaviour is not yet developed.