Population density and spore-feeding behavior of collembolans in the presence or absence of myxomycete fruiting bodies

Understanding forest ecosystems involves knowing the role of organisms in dead trees. Myxomycetes that grow on dead trees disperse spores and reuse dead trees as substrate for reproduction. Compared to research on the interactions between myxomycetes and organisms other than Collembola (e.g., Acari, Diptera, and Coleoptera), studies on the interactions between myxomycetes and collembolans on dead trees are limited. To clarify the relationship between them, myxomycetes and nearby collembolans were collected through the aspiration method. This method allows the simultaneous collection of myxomycete fruiting bodies and collembolans. In the laboratory, the collected specimens were observed under a microscope, and the population density and spore-feeding behavior of collembola were analyzed and compared for each myxomycete. In our study, we identified ten families of collembola residing among myxomycetes on dead trees at the collection site. Notably, eight of these families were observed to consume spores and various components of the fruiting bodies of myxomycetes. Additionally, we conducted an analysis of the interrelationships among three species of myxomycetes, focusing on variations in collembolan populations and their feeding rates. This research represents the first quantitative investigation into the relationship between myxomycetes and collembolans, employing field-based observations and collections to yield our findings.