Re: [ECOLOG-L] Catching soil invertebrates
Excellent methods for sampling earthworms are on this website: http://www.nrri.umn.edu/worms/research/methods_worms.html The liquid mustard method is easy and works very well, in my experience. -Kathleen -- Kathleen S. Knight Research Ecologist USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Catching soil invertebrates
Dave In my experiences with pitfall traps, I don't recall capturing many earthworms. I have captured occasional snails, slugs, and some larvae, more likely to capture insect nymphs. If you do use pitfall traps, I have always used propylene glycol as the killing agent/preservative, 2-4 cm deep, since it isn't too attractive to insects or mammals. This is the main ingredient in low toxicity antifreeze and most boat/RV antifreeze. The labels are pretty clear regarding the ingredients. I wouldn't use ethylene glycol, main ingredient in most other antifreeze. This is attractive to insects and mammals. Since pitfall traps are usually passive, an attractant isn't usually wanted. Even using propylene glycol, you will capture some mammals in pitfall traps; shrews and voles are the most common in my experience. Checking traps every week or 2 weeks is acceptable, I have done both for different studies. For sampling earthworms, I would think soil cores (10-15 x 25 cm?) or small soil pits (25 x 25 x 25 cm?) would be the most effective technique. Sieve the soil and remove the earthworms. Jordan -- Jordan M. Marshall, Ph.D. School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Michigan Technological University Cooperative Emerald Ash Borer Project 5936 Ford Ct. Suite 200 Brighton, MI 48116 Ph (810) 844-2701 Fax (810) 844-0583 www.jordanmarshall.com David H. Byman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent by: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU 05/23/2008 10:54 PM Please respond to David H. Byman [EMAIL PROTECTED] To ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU cc Subject [ECOLOG-L] Catching soil invertebrates Dear All: I would like to do a comparative study of soil macroinvertebrates inside and outside a deer exclosure. As I am interested in evaluating the available of shrew food as affected by heavy deer browsing, I would like to census the populations of snails, slugs, earthworms and insect larvae inside and outside the exclosure fence. Are pitfall traps the best technique for all these invertebrate groups? If pitfalls are a good technique, should I put a layer of glycerol or some other preservative to preserve the animals in the bottom of the can in case I can't visit the traps more than once a week? Thanks for your help. Dave Byman David Byman Asst. Prof. Biology Penn State University Worthington Scranton Campus 120 Ridge View Drive Dunmore PA 18512-1699 570-963-2586 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Catching soil invertebrates
Dave et al., I've been using both pitfall trap and Berlese sampling methods to survey leaf litter arthropods in Costa Rica for the last year. For the pitfall traps I'm using small, ~150ml cups in which I put ~30ml of 75% ethanol alcohol with a few drops of liquid soap, to break the surface tension. I place the trap at least 4-7 days prior to the first use (to minimize disturbance, e.g., to ant colonies) and check them after 4 days of sampling. The alcohol does attract bark beetles (Coleoptera:Curculionidae:Scolytinae), but I've never caught any small mammals, though I did once catch a small anole. Pitfall traps are good for capturing larger and more active organisms in the leaf litter, but it will capture very few sessile organisms (including many insect larvae) or organisms living within the soil itself, as the cup is placed with the top aligned with the soil surface. Berlese sampling involves collecting leaf litter and/or soil - typically either a predefined volume or area - then placing it into a Tullgren/Berlese funnel (see, e.g., http://www.emanco.ca/eman/ecotools/protocols/terrestrial/arthropods/soil-litt.html). The litter is placed into a funnel with an inset piece of mesh, and suspended over a jar of 75-95% ethanol, with a light source just above the litter. As the litter dries, the arthropods move away from the heat and fall into the ethanol. This method also captures fairly active organisms, but will capture more sessile organisms than the pitfall traps. To fully sample leaf litter and/or soil, and capture the sessile organisms, I'd recommend using the Winkler method (see, e.g., http://viceroy.eeb.uconn.edu/ALAS/winkler00.html), where litter is chopped up and sifted then suspended in a bag over a container of ethanol with a light source at the top of the bag. Here are a few good survey papers and a brief from the Biological Survey of Canada which discuss the merits of various methods: Cooper, R.J., and R.C. Whitmore. 1990. Arthropod sampling methods in ornithology. Studies in Avian Biology 13:29-37. Delabie, J.H., B.L. Fisher, J. Majer, J., and I.W. Wright. 2000. Sampling effort and choice of methods, pp. 145-154. In: Agosti, D., J.D. Majer, L. Alonso, and T. Schultz [eds.], Measuring and monitoring biodiversity: standard methods for ground-dwelling ants. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C. Edwards, C.A. 1991. The assessment of populations of soil-inhabiting invertebrates. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 34:145-176. Parr, C.L., and S.L. Chown. 2001. Inventory and bioindicator sampling: testing pitfall and Winkler methods with ants in a South African savanna. Journal of Insect Conservation 5:27-36. TERRESTRIAL ARTHROPOD BIODIVERSITY: PLANNING A STUDY AND RECOMMENDED SAMPLING TECHNIQUES A Brief Prepared by the Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) 1994\ http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/bsc/briefs/brterrestrial.htm Cheers, Nicole Michel ** Nicole Michel Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 400 Boggs Hall Tulane University New Orleans, LA 70118 Fax: 504-862-8706 Phone: 360-606-5631 ** ** Nicole Michel Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 400 Boggs Hall Tulane University New Orleans, LA 70118 Fax: 504-862-8706 Phone: 360-606-5631 ** -Original Message- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of Jordan M. Marshall Sent: Mon 5/26/2008 8:13 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Catching soil invertebrates Dave In my experiences with pitfall traps, I don't recall capturing many earthworms. I have captured occasional snails, slugs, and some larvae, more likely to capture insect nymphs. If you do use pitfall traps, I have always used propylene glycol as the killing agent/preservative, 2-4 cm deep, since it isn't too attractive to insects or mammals. This is the main ingredient in low toxicity antifreeze and most boat/RV antifreeze. The labels are pretty clear regarding the ingredients. I wouldn't use ethylene glycol, main ingredient in most other antifreeze. This is attractive to insects and mammals. Since pitfall traps are usually passive, an attractant isn't usually wanted. Even using propylene glycol, you will capture some mammals in pitfall traps; shrews and voles are the most common in my experience. Checking traps every week or 2 weeks is acceptable, I have done both for different studies. For sampling earthworms, I would think soil cores (10-15 x 25 cm?) or small soil pits (25 x 25 x 25 cm?) would be the most effective technique. Sieve the soil and remove the earthworms. Jordan -- Jordan M. Marshall, Ph.D. School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Michigan Technological University Cooperative Emerald Ash Borer Project 5936
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Catching soil invertebrates
Dave -- Be aware that some mammals such as Canis latrans, Mephitis mephitis, and Procyon lotor can be adversely affected by glycerols or similar preservatives. This has been discussed on Mammal-L and should be included in the Animal Care and Use Committee pdf on the American Society of Mammalogists' webpage. mas tarde, EJF David H. Byman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent by: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU 05/23/2008 10:54 PM Please respond to David H. Byman [EMAIL PROTECTED] To ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU cc Subject [ECOLOG-L] Catching soil invertebrates Dear All: I would like to do a comparative study of soil macroinvertebrates inside and outside a deer exclosure. As I am interested in evaluating the available of shrew food as affected by heavy deer browsing, I would like to census the populations of snails, slugs, earthworms and insect larvae inside and outside the exclosure fence. Are pitfall traps the best technique for all these invertebrate groups? If pitfalls are a good technique, should I put a layer of glycerol or some other preservative to preserve the animals in the bottom of the can in case I can't visit the traps more than once a week? Thanks for your help. Dave Byman David Byman Asst. Prof. Biology Penn State University Worthington Scranton Campus 120 Ridge View Drive Dunmore PA 18512-1699 570-963-2586 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Catching soil invertebrates
This is all great stuff for field studies. Do not forget Burying Beetles. Some amazing things you can do with this Family of insect. If you have access to road-kill, etc. it can work very well. These are also Beetles you can bring into your classroom and do the same thing with. Not sure this applies to entire World, but does to the midwest U.S. Thanks. Mike Nolan -- If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number, best time to return your call and/or your e-mail address. After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. Sincerely, J. Michael Nolan, Director Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit ** Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest Marine Ecology Spanish/Cultural Immersion Programs: Spain, Mexico, Central and South America Rainforest and Reef 501 (c)(3) non-profit 334 Ottawa St. Coopersville, MI 49404 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49514-1543 USA Local/International Phone: 001.616.604.0546 Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721 Skype/MS IM: travelwithrandr AOL IM: buddythemacaw E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] and [EMAIL PROTECTED] *Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses Web: http://rainforestandreef.org **
[ECOLOG-L] Catching soil invertebrates
Dear All: I would like to do a comparative study of soil macroinvertebrates inside and outside a deer exclosure. As I am interested in evaluating the available of shrew food as affected by heavy deer browsing, I would like to census the populations of snails, slugs, earthworms and insect larvae inside and outside the exclosure fence. Are pitfall traps the best technique for all these invertebrate groups? If pitfalls are a good technique, should I put a layer of glycerol or some other preservative to preserve the animals in the bottom of the can in case I can't visit the traps more than once a week? Thanks for your help. Dave Byman David Byman Asst. Prof. Biology Penn State University Worthington Scranton Campus 120 Ridge View Drive Dunmore PA 18512-1699 570-963-2586 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Catching soil invertebrates
Dr. Byman, Pitfall traps can collect animals that walk on the ground (e.g., ground beetles, spiders, ants), but not insects that live in soil, unless they also walk above ground. If you are interested in collecting insects in soil, probably you need to use Berlese funnels or sifting after you take soil samples. Best, Makiri Sei, Ph. D. Postdoctoral Fellow 146 Pearson Hall Department of Zoology Miami University Oxford, OH 45056 (513)-529-3175 From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of David H. Byman [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, May 23, 2008 1:15 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Catching soil invertebrates Dear All: I would like to do a comparative study of soil macroinvertebrates inside and outside a deer exclosure. As I am interested in evaluating the available of shrew food as affected by heavy deer browsing, I would like to census the populations of snails, slugs, earthworms and insect larvae inside and outside the exclosure fence. Are pitfall traps the best technique for all these invertebrate groups? If pitfalls are a good technique, should I put a layer of glycerol or some other preservative to preserve the animals in the bottom of the can in case I can't visit the traps more than once a week? Thanks for your help. Dave Byman David Byman Asst. Prof. Biology Penn State University Worthington Scranton Campus 120 Ridge View Drive Dunmore PA 18512-1699 570-963-2586 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
