Occurence and distribution of poorly known soil animal groups

Veikko Huhta, Anne Siira-Pietikäinen, Ritva Penttinen, Mika Räty & Matti Uusitalo

The study covers the soil animal groups "microarthropoda" (Collembola and Acarina) and "potworms" (Enchytraeidae).

Research on these groups up to now has been based on the activity of a few workers. Thus our current knowledge on their occurrence and distribution is insufficient and geographically defective. Researchers have collected samples around their home areas or during vacations, or local material have been accumulated in connection with ecological studies, while no data are available from other areas or habitats. Some groups of mites have remained virtually neglected. In general, systematic sampling has been carried out on few invertebrate groups; good knowledge e.g. on certain insects is based on a high number of amateurs.

Methods

During the project 15 habitat types were listed, and nine sampling areas were selected with geographical coverage of the country. Soil samples have been taken from all areas and habitats, and animals have been extracted in the laboratory using the "high gradient" techniques. The material has been sorted and distributed to the members of the team, and each has taken their groups of special interest for identification. All enchytraeids and "box mites" (Phthiracaroidea) have currently been identified, while on other groups the work continues until 2007.

A great deal of new information

Several species new to Finland have been found in springtails (Collembola) and oribatid mites, which are relatively well known previously. Concerning the poorly known mite groups Mesostigmata and Prostigmata, a great deal of species are new to Finland, and a dozen of species new to the science have been tentatively detected. In addition to a list of species, data are obtained on their habitat preferences and distribution in Finland.

Further ecological knowledge also accumulates, e.g. that dry meadows harbour the most diverse communities of predatory mites, and enchytraeid worms reveal a connection to human influence in their distribution.

The research project is part of Deficiently known and endangered forest species reseach programme, called PUTTE, running 2003-2007.

Additional information:

Veikko Huhta, University of Jyväskylä, Department of Bio- and Environmental Sciences, P.O.Box 35, 40014 University of Jyväskylä, tel. +358 (0)14 252 964, v.huhta@pp.inet.fi.