STRUCTURE AND DIVERSITY OF ARTHROPODS AT WAHILA RIDGE, HAWAII

Abstract

Arthropod populations and their structure in soil and litter at three elevations were studied at Wahila Ridge, Hawaii. Berlese funnel was used to extract the fauna from soil and litter samples. More species and higher population of arthropods were recovered in stream soil and litter than in soil and litter at middle and hill elevations. It was probable that during dry conditions, most of the arthropods died and/or aestivated and became active again as soon as vegetation and litter became abundant. During the second sampling, there was a greater number of species and population of arthropods than in the first and third samplings, the greatest number of arthropods occurring in stream soil and litter. The arthropod populations in stream soil and litter were more diverse, had lower index of dominance, but showed more evenness, similarity and richness compared to those on the hill and middle elevations. Species and populations of arthropods in soil and litter were affected by weather.