Biology of the springtail Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni at Cape Bird: feeding habits, life cycle and migration movements throughout a season

Aspects of the biology of Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni (Collembola) was investigated at Cape Bird. The work can be divided into three main investigations: 1) Food studies - which included isolation and identification of soil fungi and observations of the feeding habits of collembola in culture, 2) Life Cycle - which included studying the horizontal and vertical distribution, fecundity, developmental stages, mortality causes, instar duration and changes in population size and structure throughout the season and, 3) Migration Studies - which included observations on vertical and horizontal movements throughout the day and the season and an investigation of possible factors influencing movement. Experiments were conducted on culturing techniques.