Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Dhrubajyoti Pahari ¹, Ashis Kumar Hazra ¹, Goutam Kumar Saha ²

Affiliations
1 Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700053, IN
2 Dept. of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, IN

Abstract

Despite the environmental importance of Collembola, basic information on the occurrence and ecology of these soil micro-arthropods is lacking, especially in Darjeeling Himalaya. To address such gaps the present research was conducted with objectives to determine what Collembola species inhabit the soil of two different altitudinal sites of Darjeeling Himalaya as well as their vertical distribution and seasonal variations. Altogether 22 species of Collembola belonging to three families were recorded from the hilltop and foothill sites of the Darjeeling Himalaya. The maximum number of collembolan species was found in foothill site (20 species) than in the hilltop site (10 species) of Darjeeling Himalaya. The population density of Collembola marked a significant decrease from upper most layers to deeper layers of soil. The highest collembolan density was recorded during the spring season in both the sites but lowest density was recorded during summer at Hilltop site and during autumn at Foothill site of Darjeeling Himalaya.

Keywords

Collembola, Species Composition, Vertical Distribution, Seasonal Variation, Hilltop, Foothill, Darjeeling Himalaya.

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Dhrubajyoti Pahari ¹, Ashis Kumar Hazra ¹, Manebendra Nath Moitra ¹, Arun Kumar Roy Mahato ¹

Affiliations
1 Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700053, IN

Abstract

A field survey was conducted in and around Bokaro steel plant area, Jharkhand, India to know the effect of continuous discharge of steel plant effluents on the soil microarthropods. The density and diversity of soil microarthropods are low nearer to the steel plant area compared to those of the distant sites. Acari was the predominant group followed by the Collembola and other soil microarthropods are few in number. The soil factors like temperature, relative humidity, moisture, pH and organic carbon have also been conducted. The relationship between soil microarthropods and these physico-chemical parameters is analyzed statistically.

Keywords

Soil Microarthropods Population, Industrial Effluents, Steel Plant.

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Ashis Kumar Hazra ¹, Debanjan Jana ², Guru Pada Mandal ¹

Affiliations
1 Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, IN
2 PG Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar College (University of Calcutta), Salt Lake, Kolkata, IN

Abstract

Morphological variations and new records of the species Ctenolepisma (Ctenolepisma) alticola herein from Jharkhand and the species Ctenolepisma (Ctenolepisma) boettgerianum from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat states of India are communicated. Diagnosis and distribution of those species have been given.

Keywords

Silverfish, Ctenolepisma, Morphology, New Records.

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