Laboratory studies were carried out to cast light on differences in density
responses among collembolan species to copper (Cu)-polluted environments.
In a recolonisation experiment, mesofauna originating from a copper (Cupoll
uted arable field were allowed to colonise defaunated Cu-contaminated and u
ncontaminated soil cores for 3 months. The abundances of Pseudosinella alba
and gamasid mites were higher in the uncontaminated soil, whereas the majo
rity of other collembolans tended to be more abundant in the Cu-enriched so
il. Behavioural experiments were conducted to test the ability of single Co
llembola species to distinguish between filter paper and food soaked in wat
er, Cu, and calcium (Ca) solutions. Onychiurus armatus avoided both Cu and
Ca, whereas Folsomia quadrioculata and Folsomia manolachei showed a signifi
cant preference for Cu. Isotomurus palustris was not able to distinguish be
tween Cu and water. The results are compared and discussed with regard to o
ther studies on the occurrence and behaviour of Collembola in Cu-contaminat
ed environments. We suggest that microsite selection according to preferenc
e or avoidance of high salinity of pore water may partly explain the commun
ity structure of Collembola in Cu-polluted soils which are characterised by
an increase of euedaphic species. More studies have to be carried out to g
eneralise this concept and to explore to what extent reduced predation by g
amasid mites contribute to the success of certain Collembola in Cu-contamin
ated sites. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.