Karstbase Bibliography Database

Michal Rendoš, Dana Miklisová, Ľubomír Kováč, and Andrej Mock.
Dynamics of Collembola (Hexapoda) in a forested limestone scree slope, Western Carpathians, Slovakia.
2020
82
1
18
29
A labyrinth of air-filled voids in forested scree slopes represents one of the most common types of terrestrial shallow subterranean habitats in the temperate zone, characterized by relatively strong seasonal fluctuations of temperature and the occurrence of subterranean species of invertebrates. We carried out a year-long study to define the monthly activity dynamics of Collembola communities inhabiting a depth profile (95 cm from the ground surface) of a forested limestone scree in the Western Carpathians, Slovakia. We assessed the response of species sorted into four separate ecological forms, reflecting their affinity to the subterranean environment and to temperature parameters fluctuating over the year. Of the 62 collembolan species identified, 28 were assigned to trogloxenes, 19 to subtroglophiles, 12 to eutroglophiles, and 3 to troglobionts. Fluctuations of activity/numbers during the year were observed in all four ecological forms of Collembola and at all depths. Troglobionts and eutroglophiles, associated predominantly with deeper layers of the scree slope profile, preferred the lower temperature ranges and were typical for the autumn months. Trogloxenes and subtroglophiles were active most of the year near the surface, but specifically during the spring months characterized by higher temperature ranges. The study contributes to the general knowledge of dynamics of invertebrate activity in a forested temperate zone scree slope.
DOI:10.4311/2018LSC0140
Michal Rendoš, Dana Miklisová, Ľubomír Kováč, and Andrej Mock., 2020, Dynamics of Collembola (Hexapoda) in a forested limestone scree slope, Western Carpathians, Slovakia. , Journal of Cave and Karst Studies , 82 , 18 - 29 https://caves.org/pub/journal/Journal_of_Cave_and_Karst_Studies_volume_82.shtml, PDF