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

Authors
Citation
M. Zimmer et W. Topp, Relationships between woodlice (Isopoda : Oniscidea) and microbial densityand activity in the field, BIOL FERT S, 30(1-2), 1999, pp. 117-123
Citations number
59
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology
Journal title
BIOLOGY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS
ISSN journal
01782762 → ACNP
Volume
30
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
117 - 123
Database
ISI
SICI code
0178-2762(199911)30:1-2<117:RBW(:O>2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
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.