Laboratory food preference experiments with Collembola on the leaves and roots of two dominant grass species from a Hungarian grassland
Abstract
The Extreme Drought and Chronic Rain Manipulation Experiment (ExDRain) is conducted in a natural grassland ecosystem in central Hungary near Fülöpháza. Previously, we found a higher decomposition rate for grass leaves compared to grass roots, and higher decomposition of one dominant grass species (Festuca vaginata) over the other (Stipa borysthenica) in this experimental system. In the present study, we investigated if higher decomposition rate may be related to food preference of a potential decomposer in the system in a laboratory experiment, and posed the following questions: do Collembola (Folsomia candida, Folsomia fimetaria and Sinella magyari) select (1) between the two grass species (Festuca vaginata vs. Stipa borysthenica) and (2) between the two plant parts (leaves vs. roots) within the plant species? Paired choice assays were conducted in Petri-dishes. Significant differences were found in the food preference of Collembola species between the two parts of the plants and between the two plant species. The leaves and Festuca vaginata were more preferred food type as compared to roots and Stipa borysthenica. The chemical composition of the plant parts could explain the found patterns, especially the N and lignin content of the leaves and roots.
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