Diversidade de Collembola epiedáficos em um ecótono caatinga-cerrado do Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades, Piauí, Brasil

Abstract

Collembola are small arthropods that measure between 0.12 and 17 mm in length. Their size allows them to be the main constituents of soil mesofauna, their diet varies between fungi, bacteria and plant debris. A striking feature of the group is an escapement mechanism called a wishbone. Works that deal with the diversity patterns of the group in Brazil and the environmental factors that influence this diversity are scarce and isolated, especially in the Caatinga and Cerrado biomes. The general objective of this work is to describe the diversity of epiedaphic Collembola in an interfluvial forest area of the Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades (PNSC), Piauí, in the dry season and in the rainy season, and how it is influenced by the biotic and abiotic variables analyzed. Estimate the diversity and equitability for the species found in the sampled area. Analyze species richness and abundance. Pitfall traps were used for capture, consisting of 400 mL disposable cups containing 70% ethanol buried in the ground, protected with disposable plates suspended above. The field material was screened in the Biology laboratory at Campus Pedro II, the specimens were mounted on slides for microscopy and identified down to the species level. As a result, the total abundance of individuals was 720 in the rainy season and 19,436 in the dry season. Therefore, the Shannon-Wiener index was 1.81 and 0.01, respectively. Demonstrating a discrepancy in the diversity and equitability of these animals in the environment.