Relationships between woodlice (Isopoda : Oniscidea) and microbial densityand activity in the field

Field studies on microbial populations and their activity in soil and litte r layers of different sites revealed statistically significant correlations with climatic factors, soil characteristics and the number of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea). The number of captured Porcellio scaber was n egatively correlated with the density of soil microbiota, but positively co rrelated with both respiration and cellulolytic activity of litter-colonizi ng microorganisms. By contrast, the number of Oniscus asellus was positivel y correlated with soil microbial density and respiration, and cellulolytic and respiratory activity of the litter. These interspecific differences wer e unexpected between species that frequently occur sympatrically, and, thus , probably have similar ecological requirements. Hence, the results suggest ed species-specific interactions of these species with soil and litter-colo nizing microbiota. However, further field studies are required to prove thi s.