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Diplura; Japygids; phenology; abundance; soil fauna; inundation; floodplains; submergence; survival; Amazon; Neotropics
Abstract:
To the examples of terricolous invertebrates that have evolved survival strategies to inhabit inundation forests of Central Amazonia, which are flooded annually for 5-7 months to a depth of several meters, can now be added the dipluran Parajapyx (Parajapyx) adisi Pages. Juveniles (mostly sexual stage 3), subadults, and adults of this species pass the aquatic phase in dormancy inside a silken cocoon in the soil. Reproduction takes place during the early part of the terrestrial phase, and the occurrence of developmental stages suggests a univoltine life-cycle. The abundance of P. adisi in 0-14 cm soil depth averaged 211+-144 ind./m2/month, with 70% of all specimens obtained below 7 cm depth. Vertical distribution correlated with soil moisture content, pH, grain size, and mineral composition of the soil. P. adisi was found neither on the soil surface nor in the trunk/canopy region. It is considered a non-migrating terricolous, euedaphic, and endemic species of blackwater inundation forests in the Rio Negro valley
