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Chang W, Zhang P, Li J, Aspe NM, Hao J, Lu S, Wan Z, Wu D. Impacts of Millipedes on Acari and Collembola Communities-A Microcosm Experiment. INSECTS 2024; 15:456. [PMID: 38921170 PMCID: PMC11203639 DOI: 10.3390/insects15060456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Ecosystem engineers influence the structure and function of soil food webs through non-trophic interactions. The activity of large soil animals, such as earthworms, has a significant impact on the soil microarthropod community. However, the influence of millipedes on soil microarthropod communities remains largely unknown. In this microcosm experiment, we examined the effects of adding, removing, and restricting millipede activity on Acari and Collembola communities in litter and soil by conducting two destructive sampling sessions on days 10 and 30, respectively. At the time of the first sampling event (10 d), Acari and Collembola abundance was shown to increase and the alpha diversity went higher in the treatments with millipedes. At the time of the second sampling event (30 d), millipedes significantly reduced the Collembola abundance and alpha diversity. The results were even more pronounced as the millipedes moved through the soil, which caused the collembolans to be more inclined to inhabit the litter, which in turn resulted in the increase in the abundance and diversity of Acari in the soil. The rapid growth of Collembola in the absence of millipedes significantly inhibited the abundance of Acari. The presence of millipedes altered the community structure of Acari and Collembola, leading to a stronger correlation between the two communities. Changes in these communities were driven by the dominant taxa of Acari and Collembola. These findings suggest that millipedes, as key ecosystem engineers, have varying impacts on different soil microarthropods. This study enhances our understanding of biological interactions and offers a theoretical foundation for soil biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjin Chang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; (W.C.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (S.L.); (Z.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China;
| | - Peng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China;
| | - Jianwei Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; (W.C.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (S.L.); (Z.W.)
| | - Nonillon M. Aspe
- College of Marine and Allied Sciences, Mindanao State University at Naawan, Naawan 9023, Misamis Oriental, Philippines;
| | - Jiahua Hao
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; (W.C.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (S.L.); (Z.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China;
| | - Siyuan Lu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; (W.C.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (S.L.); (Z.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China;
| | - Zhuoma Wan
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; (W.C.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (S.L.); (Z.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China;
| | - Donghui Wu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; (W.C.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (S.L.); (Z.W.)
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China;
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
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Wyckhuys KAG, Nguyen H, Fonte SJ. Artefactual depiction of predator-prey trophic linkages in global soils. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23861. [PMID: 34903745 PMCID: PMC8668944 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03234-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil invertebrates contribute to multiple ecosystem services, including pest control, nutrient cycling, and soil structural regulation, yet trophic interactions that determine their diversity and activity in soils remain critically understudied. Here, we systematically review literature (1966-2020) on feeding habits of soil arthropods and macrofauna and summarize empirically studied predator-prey linkages across ecosystem types, geographies and taxa. Out of 522 unique predators and 372 prey organisms (constituting 1947 predator-prey linkages), the vast majority (> 75%) are only covered in a single study. We report a mean of just 3.0 ± 4.7 documented linkages per organism, with pronounced taxonomic biases. In general, model organisms and crop pests (generally Insecta) are well-studied, while important soil-dwelling predators, fungivores and detritivores (e.g., Collembola, Chilopoda and Malacostraca) remain largely ignored. We argue that broader food-web based research approaches, considering multiple linkages per organism and targeting neglected taxa, are needed to inform science-driven management of soil communities and associated ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris A G Wyckhuys
- Institute of Plant Protection, China Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Chrysalis Consulting, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ha Nguyen
- Center for Agricultural Research and Ecological Studies, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Steven J Fonte
- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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Koltz AM, Classen AT, Wright JP. Warming reverses top-down effects of predators on belowground ecosystem function in Arctic tundra. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E7541-E7549. [PMID: 30038011 PMCID: PMC6094120 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1808754115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Predators can disproportionately impact the structure and function of ecosystems relative to their biomass. These effects may be exacerbated under warming in ecosystems like the Arctic, where the number and diversity of predators are low and small shifts in community interactions can alter carbon cycle feedbacks. Here, we show that warming alters the effects of wolf spiders, a dominant tundra predator, on belowground litter decomposition. Specifically, while high densities of wolf spiders result in faster litter decomposition under ambient temperatures, they result, instead, in slower decomposition under warming. Higher spider densities are also associated with elevated levels of available soil nitrogen, potentially benefiting plant production. Changes in decomposition rates under increased wolf spider densities are accompanied by trends toward fewer fungivorous Collembola under ambient temperatures and more Collembola under warming, suggesting that Collembola mediate the indirect effects of wolf spiders on decomposition. The unexpected reversal of wolf spider effects on Collembola and decomposition suggest that in some cases, warming does not simply alter the strength of top-down effects but, instead, induces a different trophic cascade altogether. Our results indicate that climate change-induced effects on predators can cascade through other trophic levels, alter critical ecosystem functions, and potentially lead to climate feedbacks with important global implications. Moreover, given the expected increase in wolf spider densities with climate change, our findings suggest that the observed cascading effects of this common predator on detrital processes could potentially buffer concurrent changes in decomposition rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Koltz
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130;
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708
| | - Aimée T Classen
- The Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405
- The Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405
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