Collembola and other ground living invertebrates from Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary, Northern Territory

Abstract

Collembola and other invertebrates were collected using a number of methods from three main locations in the Pungalina–Seven Emu survey area between 09 July and 21 July 2012. Specimens were identified to Order except for Collembola which were identified to species or morphospecies. Most invertebrates collected belong to highly dispersive taxa such as Diptera, Hemiptera and Coleoptera. Invertebrates were collected from two caves in the survey area; in the caves invertebrates were fairly abundant and species rich and included new species. Thirty-three collembolan species were collected, a third of which were found only on sites protected from fire such as rocky outcrops and creek banks. Symphypleona genera such as Corynephoria, Prorastriopes and Temeritas, normally abundant on native grasses and in leaf litter of forests and woodlands of the dry/wet savannah tropics were totally absent. It is suggested that the increased frequency of planned burns in the region are the cause