Structure of saprophagous invertebrate community on a catena in the steppe of Trans-Volga region

摘要

The saprophagous soil-surface invertebrate community was studied on a catena in the Samara district. Nine Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) species, Megaphyllum rossicum (Diplopoda), Ectobius duskei (Blattoptera), and one Isopoda species were found and described. The density of Tenebrionidae species was maximum in early July, and that of Ectobius duskei and the Isopoda species, in August and in September, respectively. Woodlice and millipedes were abundant in various positions of the upper catena portion(dry steppe) while cockroaches and beetles were maximum on the flat interfluve and in the lower part of the catena (steppe meadow).