Effect of Trails on Litter Arthropods in the Tijuca National Park, Brazil

ABSTRACT The effect of trails on litter arthropod community in two tracks of the Tijuca National Park was analyzed. Samples of litter were collected at two altitudes (650 and 850 m.a.s.l.) and three distance classes (0, 5 and 10 m). Arthropods were identified on order level. There were 4491 sampled individuals of 19 taxa, and Orthoptera was the most frequent. There were significant differences in the number of taxon between tracks, possibly as a response to a causal effect of the structure and floristic composition of trails and quotes. The trail that showed the highest richness levels was Bico do Papagaio, differing from Pico da Tijuca. It is suggested that the differences may be related to the degree of disturbance that differentiated the two tracks. However, more detailed analysis can make clearer results.