ISSN:
1432-234X
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Description / Table of Contents:
Summary Quantitatively comparable ecological observations were carried out near Ny Ålesund, Kingsbay, West- Spitsbergen. They reveal a very sharp gap between the terrestrial fauna of the supralittoral fringe and the animals of the tundra above the highest sea-level. This gap is marked by cf. Molgus littoralis, which is completely absent in the typical tundra, but lives in great numbers in the supralittoral zone. A comparison with corresponding data from Europe and South America shows, that the number of specimens caught per day and trap is not less than in warmer regions, but the average size of the animals is much smaller and the number of systematic groups is considerably reduced (86% of the individuals caught are diptera, only one beetle and no butterfly was found). —Herbivorous animals are very rare, saprophagous and carnivorous animals make up more than 95% of the specimens caught. It is suggested that such community, characterized through a heterogenous distribution of organisms in the circle of production and reduction must be highly instable.
Notes:
Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe von Formalinfallen wurden in Westspitzbergen quantitative Fänge über die bodenbewohnenden Insekten und Spinnen durchgeführt. Die Dipteren machen mit 65% der gefundenen Arten und 86% der Individuen den größten Teil der pterygoten Insekten aus. Phytophage Arten fehlen weitgehend. Die Individuendichte in der Tundra ist kaum niedriger als in wärmeren Lebensräumen, jedoch ist die Größe der Tiere im Durchschnitt geringer. Die Grenze zwischen Supralitoral und dem nie vom Meer beeinflußten Land ist sehr scharf.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00406723
