Springtail (Collembola) Populations in Cryogenic Soils of the Vitim Plateau

摘要

The first results of studying the springtail populations in soils of the southern part of the Vitim Plateau (northern Transbaikalia) are reported. In all, 92 species were recorded in the region. High species diversity is combined with drastic differentiation of species by their abundance. The data on the assemblage structure, biotopic groups, and vertical distribution of springtails in the soils are given. The general population density of springtails was low, mostly less than 10000 per 1 m~2. Scutisotoma stepposa and Xenylla obscura were the mass species with highly aggregated distribution. Most species were characterized by low density and occurrence. The density and composition of dominants varied strongly at the begiiming and at the end of the vegetation season. Permafrost is not the main factor determining the biotopic differentiation of springtails.