Culturing techniques, distribution and abundance and SEM analysis of separate instars or moults of the springtail Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni at Cape Bird

A reliable method of differentiating instars of the small black collembolan or springtail, Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni, was investigated. Approximately 800 collembola were collected in the moss patches found on a hill at Cape Bird.

The specimens were fixed and viewed under a scanning electron microscope. The mouthparts and internal head skeleton were analysed for differentiating characters. The distribution and abundance of the springtail was investigated by counting individuals in a series of 25 x 25cm quadrats along a transect across a melt.