FEEDING BEHAVIOUR OF FOLSOMIA CANDIDA AS INFLUENCED BY DIET-SWITCHING IN THE PRESENCE OF LIVE MAIZE ROOTS

• Main Author: Eerpina, Ramesh
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Collembola; soil carbon; 13C and 15N isotope; diet-switching; feeding behaviour
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10222/39719

ABSTRACT Collembola are known to feed on soil fungi, mycorrhizae and plant derived products. A recent study revealed that one species of Collembola, Protaphorura fimata, completely switched from decomposer to herbivore when live roots were present. The current study investigated the occurrence of diet-switching in Folsomia candida Willem. from plant detritus to live by examining its dietary preferences using stable isotope techniques. They were offering with live maize roots (C4 plant) in C3 soil, along with 15N enriched ryegrass litter and. Results demonstrated the presence of a partial diet-switch from detritus to live maize roots. Additional tests suggested that the diet-switch towards maize roots was a response to both improved food quality and greater food availability. The presence of live roots improved the body growth of F. candida and the incorporation of C from live roots into Collembola tissue suggesting