Nocturnal activity in the arboreal Collembola Willowsia japonica (Folsom, 1987)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25674/500Keywords:
Willowsia japonica, nocturnal activity, precipitation, tree trunk, baiting techniqueAbstract
The diel cycle of Willowsia japonica was studied using traps on the tree trunk during the summer months. W. japonica was more active during nighttime than daytime on the trunk of Quercus crispula throughout summer, regardless of body size. The difference was, however, blurred by precipitation, which activated W. japonica even during daytime. However, precipitation increased diurnal activity levels and decreased the difference between daytime and nighttime abundance. Although other springtails such as Desoria spatiosa, Subisotoma sp., and Tomocerus aokii, as well as woodlice were more sensitive to respond to moisture than W. japonica, W. japonica is considered relatively tolerant to desiccation among springtails. Its diel cycle of activity still appears to be shaped by environmental moisture. We also found that the proportion of individuals with discernible gut contents did not significantly differ between night and day, but smaller individuals were more likely to have filled guts, suggesting that juvenile W. japonica feed at a higher rate than adults. In conclusion, the physiology of Collembola necessitates a relationship between activity levels and environmental moisture, even in species considered desiccation-tolerant such as W. japonica.
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