Vertical distribution of springtails from epiphytic moss from Abies religiosa forest in State of Mexico, Mexico

Abstract

We evaluated the Collembola communities at 3 different heights on epiphytic moss. The study was carried out in an Abies religiosa forest, in the locality of San Rafael in the State of Mexico, Mexico. Collembola inhabiting epiphytic moss were sampled during November 2003, and during March, June and August 2004. The Shannon’s diversity index, species richness, as well as their density and diversity were estimated in 3 communities. The total number of Collembola species that was collected was 12, with the species richness and density decreasing as the height of tree increased. The height on trees where moss was sampled had a significant negative effect on species diversity as well as on the densities of Pseudachorutes subcrassus, Entomobrya ca. triangularis, Americabrya arida and Ptenothrix marmorata. Our results suggest that vertical stratification of Collembola is affected by, differentiation of the microhabitats at different height levels of trees and by morphological and ecological features of species. This also demonstrates the capacity of Collembola for migration to other tree heights in order to search for food and to avoid predation.