Diversity of Collembola in Leh-Ladakh region

Total 96 specimens under 7 genera viz., Proisotoma, Isotoma, Sinella, Cyphoderus, Hypogastrura, Knowltonella and Onychiurus of Collembola belonging to 5 families viz., Isotomidae, Entomobryidae, Cyphoderidae, Hypogastruridae and Onychiuridae were studied from different tree ecosystems. Knowltonella has been reported for the first time from this region. Highest population was recorded in the Salix ecosystem (59.38%), followed by Poplar (24.99%) and Apricot (15.62%). In Ladakh, maximum population of Collembola was recorded in the month of July (41.67%) and minimum in the month of May (26.03%).