2016 Issues

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Hans-Jürgen Schulz

Title: Morphological studies of two Denisiella species (Collembola, Symphypleona) with an updated identification key to Denisiella species based on males

Abstract

For the first time, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to study the morphology of the genus Denisiella. Two species were examined in detail: Denisiella bretfeldi Schulz & van Harten, 2013 and D. serroseta (Börner, 1908). An updated key for identifying Denisiella species on the basis of morphological characters of their males is presented including all presently known species world-wide, for which males have been reported.

Keywords: Denisiella | SEM-photos | key males

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Hans-Jürgen Schulz
Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz,
Am Museum 1, 02826 Görlitz, Germany
juergen.schulz@senckenberg.de

Ladislav Miko

Title: Oribatid mites may actively migrate faster and over longer distances than anticipated: experimental evidence for Damaeus onustus (Acari: Oribatida)

Abstract

The ability of active dispersal of Damaeus onustus C. L. Koch, 1844 was studied under laboratory conditions. Six individuals were observed in 15 repetitions, each at least for 30 minutes. The overall time of observation reached 278 minutes. Mites moved actively for several tens of minutes, mostly away from the source of light and heat (negative thermo- and phototaxis). The maximum speed measured reached 3.12 mh^-1; the average speed was 1.00 mh^-1 with median at 0.86 mh^-1. The specimens differed mutually, both in maximum and average speed (the latter ranking between 0.49 and 1.82 mh^-1). During the experiment all individuals were able to reach a distance of at least 10 cm from their starting point, the maximum distance was 28.2 cm. Based on the measured distances it may be assumed that Damaeus onustus is able to disperse actively faster and over larger distances than generally anticipated of oribatid mites, particularly in escape from non-favourable conditions.

Keywords: oribatid mites | active migration | speed | dispersal | Damaeus onustus

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Ladislav Miko
Faculty of Environmental Sciences,
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague,
Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Prague 6 – Suchdol, Czech Republic

Institute for Environmental Studies
Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science,
Benátská 2, 128 01 Prague 2, Czech Republic
ladislavmiko@seznam.cz

Wolfgang Karg ^† & Anita Schorlemmer

Title: New species of the genus Cheiroseius (Acarina, Parasitiformes, Gamasina, Ascidae) from tropical rain forests of Ecuador, South America

Abstract

The present studies continue our acarological investigations of soil inhabiting Parasitiformes from South and Central America. We discovered very remarkable species of the genus Cheiroseius Berlese, 1916 (Gamasina, Ascidae) from Ecuador. We explain the function of special organs of Cheiroseius and outline the significance of Parasitiformes in soil biology. Two new species of the subgenus Cheiroseius Berlese, 1916 s. str. and three new species of the subgenus Episeius Hull, 1918 are described and illustrated. Diagnoses of the genus Cheiroseius and the subgenera are given. We further generate keys for known and new species of the Cheiroseius tennesseensis-complex and the Cheiroseius necorniger-complex.

Keywords: Acari | Ascidae | new species | taxonomy | keys for determination | functional relations | bio-indicator

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Authors

Wolfgang Karg ^†

Anita Schorlemmer
Department of Cell Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine,
University of Hawaii, 651 Ilalo Street, Honolulu HI 96813, USA
ladislavmiko@seznam.cz

Penelope Greenslade, Sutrisno & Singarayer K. Florentine

Title: Differences in composition and vertical distribution of Collembola from canopies of three Australian rainforests

Abstract

Invertebrates from three rainforest canopies (tropical TRF, subtropical STR and cool temperate CTR) were sampled by insecticidal knockdown in order to compare biodiversity of canopy faunas in Australia; lower and higher TRF and STR were sampled separately. Numerous Collembola were collected, mainly in the family Entomobryidae but relative family abundance of taxa differed between forest types. TRF was characterised by Dicyrtomidae, STR by Entomobryidae and CTR by Isotomidae and Neanuridae. Also morphospecies abundances differed between forest types. The high canopy of TRF was dominated by Lepidocyrtoides sp. 3 while the low canopy was dominated by Lepidocyrtoides sp. 6. SRF had a high proportion (80 % of individuals) of a single species, the canopy specialist, Epimetrura rostrata, in both high and low canopies. In CTR, the dominant species was Entomobrya sp. cf. varia. Significant differences were found in either or both abundance and species composition of Collembola between trees within each rainforest. A significant difference was found in species abundances between lower and upper canopies in TRF and STR but not in species composition, also between canopies, pitfall samples and soil/leaf litter faunas. High levels of apparent rarity were found in all the three rainforests, being most marked on STR. Only four species occurred in all three types of rainforest indicating that beta diversity (i.e. species turnover between the three sites) was high. Our results are the first to compare faunal composition between three rainforest types and have implications for management of forests under a climate change scenario.

Keywords: abundance | Entomobryidae | beta diversity | Paronellidae | specialists | species richness

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Authors

Penelope Greenslade
Environmental Management, School of Applied and Biomedical Science,
Faculty of Science and Technology,
Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria 3353, Australia

Department of Biology, Australian National University,
GPO Box, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia
p.greenslade@federation.edu.au

Sutrisno Florentine
Formerly of the Department of Ecosystem Management,
University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, 2350, Australia

Singarayer K. Florentine
Environmental Management, School of Applied and Biomedical Science,
Faculty of Science and Technology,
Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria 3353, Australia

 

Johannes Frisch & Mikael Sörenson

Title: Zoosetha incisa Assing, 1998 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae), a new rove 1 beetle for the fauna of Germany and Sweden

Abstract

The aleocharine rove beetle Zoosetha incisa Assing, 1998 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) is recorded from Germany and Sweden for the first time. The genus Zoosetha Mulsant & Rey, 1874 is also new to the Scandinavian Peninsula. The new localities considerably extend the known distribution of this rare European species towards the north. Aedeagus, spermatheca and abdominal sternite VIII of Z. incisa are illustrated and compared to the sexual characters of the similar, closely related Z. inconspicua (Erichson, 1839). The diagnostic characters of the female of Z. incisa are illustrated for the first time. The distribution of Z. incisa is mapped, and the species’ habitat is discussed.

Keywords: Oxypodini | Central Europe | Zoosetha inconspicua Erichson | distribution | genital characters

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Authors

Johannes Frisch
Museum für Naturkunde Berlin,
Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science,
Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
johannes.frisch@mfn-berlin.de

Mikael Sörensson
Lund University, Ecology Building, Sölvegatan 35, 22362 Lund, Sweden

 

Walter P. Pfliegler & Frans Janssens

Title: Checklist of Maltese Collembola with nomenclatural notes and new synonyms

Abstract

Maltese Collembola records are reviewed and a checklist is provided. In a critical examination of previous publications considering Maltese Collembola, several nomenclatural issues were uncovered. Based on these, the following nomenclatural changes are proposed: Dicyrtoma dorsosignata Stach, 1924 stat. nov., with the following combinations as synonyms: D. fusca var. dorsosignata Stach, 1924 syn. nov.; D. fusca var. pallida Stach, 1924 syn. nov.; D. fusca f. strigata Stach, 1924 syn. nov.; D. melitensis Stach, 1957 syn. nov.; D. melitensis var. dorsosignata Stach, 1957 syn. nov.; D. melitensis var. pallida Stach, 1957 syn. nov. and D. melitensis Stach, 1967 syn. nov.. Entomobrya abrupta (Stach, 1924) stat. nov. with the synonym E. melitensis Stach, 1963 syn. nov. The following nomina nuda can be considered lapsus calami: Hypogastrura melitensis Stach, 1967 is a nomen nudum and refers to H. varians Stach, 1967. Triacanthella transilvatica Stach, 1967 is nomen nudum and refers to T. terrasilvaticaSalmon, 1943. T. perfusa Stach, 1967 is nomen nudum and refers to T. purpurea Salmon, 1943.

Keywords: Mediterranean | Malta | nomen nudum | faunistics | endemic

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Authors

Walter P. Pfliegler
Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology,
University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., 4010 Debrecen, Hunga
walterpfliegler@gmail.com

Frans Janssens
Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, 2020, Belgium

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Gerd Alberti & Ana Isabel Moreno Twose

Title:Fine structure of the trichobothrium of Heterochthonius gibbus (Oribatida, Enarthronota, Heterochthoniidae) with remarks on adjacent seta

Abstract

The trichobothridium (bothridium and bothridial seta) of the enarthronote mite Heterochthonius gibbus is described using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cuticular wall of the bothridium shows three recognizable regions an external (distal) smooth part, a central region with a complex structured wall, and an internal (proximal) smooth part beginning where the bothridium bends sharply ending in the setal insertion. The central wall is provided with many tubules or chambers, which in the most distal region are filled with a secretion but otherwise are empty (likely filled with air). Distinct chambers separated by septa are not evident. The bothridial seta is similarly bent and is inserted in a proximal cuticular ring via only a few suspension fibers. Two dendrites terminating with tubular bodies innervate the bothridial seta. The dendrites are distally surrounded by a thick dense dendritic sheath. The overall structure of the trichobothrium, with a simple sharp bend, presents an intermediate condition compared with the straight trichobothrium of early derivative oribatid mites and the double-curved, S-shaped base found in more evolved taxa. The adjacent interlamellar and exobothridial setae are also provided with two dendrites terminating with tubular bodies and thus are mechanosensitive touch receptors.

Keywords: bothridial seta | bothridium | mechanoreceptor | sensillus | ultrastucture

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Authors

Gerd Alberti
Zoologisches Institut und Museum,
E-MAU Greifswald, J.-S.-Bach-Str. 11/12, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
alberti@uni-greifswald.de

Ana Isabel Moreno Twose
Communidad de Baleares 8, 31010 Barañain, Spain

Gerd Alberti & Ana Isabel Moreno Twose

Title: Fine structural observations of the erectile setae and dermal glands on the notogaster of Heterochthonius gibbus (Oribatida, Enarthronota, Heterochthoniidae) + Supplementary video online: Heterochthonius gibbus

Abstract

The external and internal structures of the notogaster of the enarthronote oribatid mite Heterochthonius gibbus are described, focused on the apodemal and muscular structures involved in the erection of setae. A functional model is suggested to explain the peculiar defensive movements of the setae. This model concerns the structure and deformation of the intercalary sclerites due to contraction of peculiar non-striated muscles that stretch between apodemal ribs bordering the relevant sclerites. Innervation of each of the setae on the anterior notogaster occurs by two dendrites of mechanosensitive cells. Four pairs of dermal glands are described for the first time from an enarthronote oribatid mite. These glands deliver a complex secretion on the external surface of the mite. A detailed scheme of the arrangement of setae, sclerites and scissures of the notogaster of H. gibbus is presented.

Keywords: Enarthronotides | glands | movable setae | non-striated muscle cells | scissures | sclerites | ultrastructure

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suppl.

Authors: 

Gerd Alberti
Zoologisches Institut und Museum,
E-MAU Greifswald, J.-S.-Bach-Str. 11/12, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
alberti@uni-greifswald.de

Ana Isabel Moreno Twose
Communidad de Baleares 8, 31010 Barañain, Spain

Ernst Ebermann, Marianne Messner & Julia Jagersbacher-Baumann

Title: First observations on phoresy hosts of Imparipes (Sporichneuthes) dispar (Rack, 1964) (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Scutacaridae)

Abstract

Imparipes (Sporichneuthes) dispar (Rack, 1964) is a species belonging to the mite family Scutacaridae which displays appetence behavior and a unique jumping ability. Both features indicate that I. dispar might disperse via phoresy, but possible hosts were not known until now. A field experiment was conducted to determine whether I. dispar performs phoresy and to identify potential host taxa. Imparipes dispar turned out to be a host generalist, accepting Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera as hosts. Several of the detected phoresy host taxa are potentially new for scutacarids.

Keywords: host range | Mites | Diptera | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera

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Authors

Ernst Ebermann
Institute of Zoology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria

Marianne Messner
Institute of Zoology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria

Julia Jagersbacher-Baumann
Institute of Zoology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria
julia.jagersbacher-baumann@uni-graz.at

Heinrich Schatz & Jan Mourek

Title: Damaeidae (Acari, Oribatida) from high mountains in Costa Rica and Panama – biogeographical considerations

Abstract

More than 85 % of all Damaeidae species are known from the Holarctic region, whereas in the tropics this family is poorly represented. Investigations on oribatid mites in Costa Rica and Panama revealed a surprisingly species rich material of Damaeidae. Altogether 78 specimens were found in 8 different mountain regions in Costa Rica and Panama. They belong to 11 species, which are presumably all new for science. The Damaeidae species occur almost exclusively in the upper vegetation belts of the Cordillera de Talamanca and nearby mountain ranges in tropical montane rain forest and subalpine paramo. It seems that the Central American high mountains offer refuges with insular effect which were possibly colonized during cooler climatic periods.

Keywords: Central America | mountains | Cordillera de Talamanca | biogeography | insular effect

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Authors

Heinrich Schatz
Institute of Zoology, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck,
Technikerstrasse 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
heinrich.schatz@uibk.ac.at

Jan Mourek
Department of Teaching and Didactics of Biology, Faculty of Science,
Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic

Karl-Heinz Schmidt
Vikram Prasad: Revision of Genus Paraphytoseius Swirski and Shechter, 1961 (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

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Heinrich Schatz
Gerd Weigmann, Franz Horak, Kerstin Franke und Axel Christian: Acarofauna Germanica – Oribatida. Verbreitung und Ökologie der Hornmilben (Oribatida) in Deutschland. / Distribution and Ecology of Oribatid Mites (Oribatida) in Germany

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Bernhard Seifert

Title: Inconvenient hyperdiversity – the traditional concept of ’Pheidole pallidula’ includes four cryptic species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Results of a pilot study are presented suggesting that Edward Wilson’s guess of some 1500 species in the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole Westwood, 1839 is likely to turn out as rather moderate estimate. Investigation of 112 nest samples containing 287 major workers of Westpalaearctic ants currently named Pheidole pallidula (Nylander, 1849) was performed by the explorative data analyses NC-Ward and NC-k-means clustering in combination with cross-validated linear discriminant analysis. Seventeen primary morphometric data were recorded by high-resolution stereomicroscopy. Allometric variance of shape variables was removed. Four cryptic species, forming the Ph. pallidula complex, were resolved: Ph. pallidula, Ph. balcanica nov. sp., Ph. koshewnikovi Ruzsky, 1905 and Ph. cicatricosa Stitz, 1917. The classification error varied between 0 and 2.8 % in NC clustering of nest samples and between 1.6 and 3.7 % in cross validated linear discriminant analysis of individuals. Ph. cicatricosa has a North African distribution whereas Ph. pallidula, Ph. balcanica nov. sp. and Ph. koshewnikovi are Eurasian species with large sympatric ranges in the Balkans and Asia Minor. Colonization of urban regions north of the Alps and of offshore islands in the Mediterranean Sea indicates an invasive potential of the supercolonial social type of Ph. pallidula. There are no indications that any of these four taxa might represent an intraspecific polymorphism and signals for putative interspecific hybridization are not significant. The following synonymies were established: Ph. subdentata Mayr, 1853, Ph. pallidula var. obscura Santschi, 1936 and Xenoaphaenogaster inquilina Baroni Urbani, 1964 are junior synonyms of Ph. pallidula, Ph. pallidula var. arenarum Ruzsky, 1905 and Ph. pallidula ssp. orientalis Müller, 1923 are junior synonyms of Ph. koshewnikovi and Ph. pallidula var. recticeps Menozzi, 1932 is a junior synonym of Ph. cicatricosa. The senior synonymy of the following seven Westpalaearctic taxa with any member of the Ph. pallidula complex was excluded by type investigation and diagostic statements in the original descriptions: Ph. sinaiticaMayr, 1862, Ph. jordanica Saulcy, 1874, Ph. teneriffana Forel, 1893, Ph. laticeps Mayr, 1904, Ph. schmitzi Forel, 1911, Ph. obtusaStitz, 1917 and Ph. pallidula selenia Özdikmen, 2010. Species delimitation in the less differentiated caste of minor workers was not tested but seems possible when accessory morphological characters are included.

Keywords: numeric morphology-based alpha-taxonomy | NC clustering | species delimitation | invasive species

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Bernhard Seifert
Senckenberg Museum für Naturkunde Görlitz,
Am Museum 1, PF 300154, 02806 Görlitz, Germany
bernhard.seifert@senckenberg.de

Dieter Sturhan & Karin Hohberg

Title: Nematodes of the order Tylenchida in Germany – the non-phytoparasitic species

Abstract

In the recently published checklist of plant-parasitic nematodes known from Germany (Sturhan 2014) genera and species of the order Tylenchida, which are generally considered as being parasites of higher plants, represent the largest taxonomic group with 212 species. The present paper gives an overview of the remaining trophic groups in Tylenchida: Root tip feeders, myceliophagous species and entomoparasites, the latter often having a free-living soil generation. A total of 165 species are included, most of them representatives of the suborder Hexatylina (96 species), followed by members of Tylenchina (67 species). Where available, first records for Germany are given together with data on habitat, distribution and the hosts of zooparasitic species. A high number of valid species (95) were originally described from Germany; 20 additional species have been synonymised with previously described species or are considered as species inquirendae. Published data are critically reviewed and some new records are added. Many published records are considered as questionable and need verification. Part of the species is deficiently characterised and requires further study. The number of unidentified and still undescribed species appears to be high. Two obviously new Tenunemellus species as well as a nematode population isolated from soil, which could not be attributed to any of the currently known tylenchid genera, are briefly characterised. An obviously still undescribed species of Paurodontoides is recorded and morphological characteristics are presented: it is the first record of the genus outside USA. Morphological characters of Boleodorus clavicaudatus populations from Germany are given and compared to the original description. Supplementing morphological characters of Pleurotylenchus sachsi and data on occurrence, habitat and distribution in Germany are presented. A Safianema population recovered in southern Germany, resembling S. lutonense, is briefly characterised morphologically.

Keywords: Biodiversity | entomoparasitic nematodes | free-living soil nematodes | Hexatylina | mycophagous nematodes | nematofauna | Paurodontoides | Pleurotylenchus | Safianema | Tylenchina

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Authors

Dieter Sturhan
Arnethstr. 13D, 48159 Münster, Germany and
c/o Julius Kühn-Institut, Toppheideweg 88, 48161 Münster, Germany
sturhandh@web.de

Karin Hohberg
Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz,
Am Museum 1, 02826 Görlitz, Germany

Badamdorj Bayartogtokh, Ulzhan D. Burkitbaeva, Kaman Ulykpan,
Erdenechuluun Otgonjargal & Asyltan Karim

Title: The distribution pattern of soil macrofauna at the forest-steppe ecotone of the southernmost boreal forest (Eastern Kazakhstan)

Abstract

We determined the activity density, population density and family-level diversity of surface-active and soil-inhabiting macrofauna in the forest interior, forest edge and steppe habitats in eastern Kazakhstan, and asked whether there were differences in their assemblages that reflected the soil properties and habitat disturbance (livestock grazing). Overall abundances of the macroarthropod assemblages were similar in most study sites, being significantly different for _mce_only some groups, such as Araneae, Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Scarabaeidae and Silphidae. The population densities of soil-inhabiting animals were relatively higher in the forest interior than in the forest edge and steppe. The soil water content has little influence on the total activity density of surface-active macroarthropods or on the population density of soil-inhabiting macrofauna, but we observed significant correlations between soil water content and the activity density of a few individual groups of surface-active arthropods (Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Scarabaeidae, Silphidae). Similar relationships were observed between soil water content and the population density of some soil-inhabiting groups of macrofauna (Araneae, Chilopoda, Curculionidae). The overall activity density of surface-active macroarthropods showed a slight negative correlation with soil bulk density, but significant relationships were found for only some groups (Staphylinidae, Silphidae, Scarabaeidae). The soil bulk density showed no significant relationship with the population density of any group of the soil-inhabiting macrofauna. We could not prove an influence of grazing intensity on the soil macrofauna, because differences in grazing intensity between study sites were not significant.

Keywords: Abundance | activity density | community | macroarthropods

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Authors

Badamdorj Bayartogtokh
Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences,
Cytology and Evolutionary Biology,
National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia
bayartogtokh@num.edu.mn

Ulzhan D. Burkitbaeva
Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences,
Pavlodar State University, Pavlodar 140008, Republic of Kazakhstan

Kaman Ulykpan
Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences,
Pavlodar State University, Pavlodar 140008, Republic of Kazakhstan

Erdenechuluun Otgonjargal
Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences,
Cytology and Evolutionary Biology,
National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 210646, Mongolia

Asyltan Karim
Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences,
Pavlodar State University, Pavlodar 140008, Republic of Kazakhstan

Johannes Frisch

Title: On the Scopaeina Mulsant & Rey of Australasia (Staphylinidae, Paederinae): type revisions and new biogeographic data

Abstract

The Scopaeina of the Australasian Region are revised. Micranops mediicollis (Lea, 1923), Scopaeus apterus Cameron, 1950, S. blackburni Bernhauer & Schubert, 1912, S. ctenocryptus Lea, 1923, S. digitalis Fauvel, 1878, S. dubius Blackburn, 1891, S. flavocastaneus Lea, 1923, S. interocularis Lea, 1912, S. latebricola Blackburn, 1888, S. moerens Lea, 1923,
S. myrmecocephalus Lea, 1927, S. obscuripennis Blackburn, 1891, S. ooderes Lea, 1923, S. oviceps Bernhauer, 1920,
S. ruficollis Fauvel, 1877, S. tahitiensis Coiffait, 1977 and S. testaceipes Lea, 1923 are redescribed, their male and female primary and secondary sexual characters are illustrated if both sexes are available, and their distribution is given. Lectotypes are designated for S. femoralis Blackburn, 1892 (replacement name: S. blackburni Bernhauer & Schubert, 1912),
S. ctenocryptus, S. dubius, S. interocularis, S. moerens, S. obscuripennis, S. oviceps, and S. gracilis Oke, 1933. The following new synonymies are proposed: S. sutteri Scheerpeltz, 1957 = S. filiformis Wollaston, 1867, S. ivani Frisch, 2003 = S. sumbaensisScheerpeltz, 1957, S. okei Herman, 2003 (replacement name for S. gracilis Oke, 1933) = S. testaceipes Lea, 1923. Scopaeus ruficollis stat. nov. is revalidated from synonymy with S. ovicollis (MacLeay, 1873), which is excluded from Scopaeus, and for which the new combination Rugilus ovicollis (MacLeay 1873), a nomen dubium, is introduced. New distributional data are presented for Scopaeus latebricola, S. moerens, S. obscuripennis, S. ooderes, S. oviceps, S. ruficollis, S. sundaensis Frisch, 2005, and S. tahitiensis.

Keywords: Australia | Micranops | Scopaeus | taxonomy | distribution

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Johannes Frisch
Museum für Naturkunde,
Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science,
Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
johannes.frisch@mfn-berlin.de

 

Elaheh Daghighi, Ulrich Burkhardt, Juliane Filser & Hartmut Koehler

Title: Techniques for clearing and mounting Collembola from old ethanol collections

Abstract

Soil mesofauna was collected between 1983 and 2000 from a successional site in Bremen, Germany. The recent analysis of Collembola from this collection posed great challenges in clearing of the specimens stored in 70 % ethanol for 15–32 years for microscopical inspection. For this purpose, five media for permanent slide mounts with different clearing properties were tested: Marc André 2, Huether’s E65, Polyvinyl lactophenol (PVA), Rusek’s and Gisin’s mixture. None of these media cleared the old specimens sufficiently, therefore, pretreatment procedures had to be applied. Two out of eight tested pretreatment methods cleared the aged Collembola successfully: treatment in 10 % NaOH solution at 60°C for 10 minutes, which, however, makes the specimens very fragile. Another pretreatment method originally developed for extracting DNA from Collembola cleared the aged specimens very well and kept them sufficiently stable for further handling. For permanent mounts, Marc André 2 was used, as it has good optical properties, is easy to apply and quickly yields ready-to-handle mounts, especially when dealing with high numbers of preparations for ecological research.

Keywords: gum-chloral mounting media | high throughput slide mounts | clearing agents | DNA extraction solution

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Authors

Elaheh Daghighi
University of Bremen,
Center for Environment Research and Environment Technology (UFT),
Leobener Str, 28359 Bremen, Germany
daghighi@uni-bremen.de

Ulrich Burkhardt
Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz,
Department of Soil Zoology,
Am Museum 1, 02826 Görlitz, Germany

Juliane Filser
University of Bremen,
Center for Environment Research and Environment Technology (UFT),
Leobener Str, 28359 Bremen, Germany

Hartmut Koehler
University of Bremen,
Center for Environment Research and Environment Technology (UFT),
Leobener Str, 28359 Bremen, Germany