The terrestrial arthropod fauna of the Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands – Collembola

Abstract

 As an addendum to a recent publication on the terrestrial arthropod fauna of the Byers Peninsula Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which included preliminary identification of four Collembola, we now present detailed information on Collembola occurring within the SSSI. Five species were recorded [Friesea grisea (Schaffer), Tullbergia mixta Wahlgren, Isotoma (Folsomotoma) octooculata (Willem), Cyptopygus antarcticus Willem, and Cryptopygus sp. nov.]. Species occurrence and abundance differed between samples collected from poorly vegetated stony ground and vegetation cores. F. grisea was both the commonest (58% of individuals) and the most widely distributed (18/19 samples) springtail in the former habitat. Cryptopygus sp. nov. was recorded only in the vegetation core samples. All five species were more evenly distributed in vegetation samples, although C. antarcticus and Cryptopygus sp. nov. were again the least abundant. A list of the terrestrial arthropods of the SSSI is presented.