Ranabijoy Gope
(Corresponding
author)
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Department
of Ecology and Environmental Science,
Assam
(Central) University, Silchar - 788 011,
India
e-mail:
bijoyranagope@gmail.com
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Publication Data
Paper received:
26
July 2010
Revised
received:
10
December 2010
Accepted:
08 January 2011
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Abstract
Present investigation was carried out in Cachar district of Assam over a period of two years (May
2007 - April 2009) to understand the seasonal ecology of Isotomina
thermophila (Axelson,
1900) in secondary succession and homegarden
ecosystems. Population was found to be maximum during July 2008 (7949.05 No.
m-2) and September 2008 (7949.05 No. m-2) in homegarden whereas the peak was recorded in secondary
succession during September 2008 (13656.05 No. m-2). Least
population was encountered during March 2008 (1222.93 No. m-2) and
April 2008 (1630.57 No. m-2) in homegarden
and secondary succession, respectively. It may be due to the fact that, vital
activity of this species effected in the dry period or migrate towards lower
soil profile in search of food and moisture. Linear regression analysis
established the hypothesis that all the environmental variables showed
positive and significant influence on the population dynamics whereas in homegarden, rainfall (r= 0.36, p>0.05) did not show
any influence. In multiple regression analysis positive and significant
influences (p<0.05) were recorded for both the investigated sites.
Rainfall, relative humidity and temperature facilitated the soil moisture,
microbial activity, litter decomposition may favour the reproduction and growth rate of the species.
Among microclimatic conditions except soil pH all other parameters exhibited
significant correlations (p<0.05) with population. Based on the present
investigation, it can be concluded that I.
thermophilia does not differ much with the
general ecology of collembolans in this sub humid climate.
Key words
Climatic
variables, Total nitrogen, Multiple regression, Isotomina
thermophila, Seasonal ecology
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