~ 110 ~ International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies 2015; 2(4): 110-113 ISSN 2347-2677 IJFBS 2015; 2(4): 110-113 Received: 28-05-2015 Accepted: 24-06-2015 Ruquaeya Bano Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Pune, Maharashtra Sharmila Roy Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan Correspondence: Ruquaeya Bano Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Pune, Maharashtra On collection of some collembola (Hexapoda: Entognatha: Collembola) from Rajasthan Ruquaeya Bano, Sharmila Roy Abstract The present investigation is based on survey programmes conducted in Jalore and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan during the 2011-2013. Collembolans commonly known as Springtails are minute, soft bodied, wingless, primitive insects. They are omnipresent members of soil fauna inhabit both on the surface and the depth of the soil. Pitfall traps were used to collect collembolan specimens. Identification is done by Phase contrast microscope revealed 10 species of Collembola belonging to 8 genera and 3 families from Jalore and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan, India. Out of these, 8 species are recorded for the first time from Rajasthan. Keywords: Soil, Collembola, Rajasthan, Pitfall, Springtails. 1. Introduction Collembolans are commonly called as Springtails because of a spring like jumping organ found on the underside the fourth abdominal segment called furcula used for springing away from predators. They are small, soft bodied, wingless, primitive omnipresent members of soil fauna. Mouth parts are entognathous type and antennae moniliform mostly 4-6 segmented. They feed as scavengers on dead plant parts, fungal hyphae, decaying animal tissues and plant residues. They found in almost every soil with densities up to 10 5 individuals per m 2 making them one of the most common animals on the planet alongside two other common soil taxa: nematodes and mites [1] . They inhabit both on the surface and the depth of the soil, under overturned rotting logs, under loose tree bark, in leaf litter or in compost and often occur in large aggregations. They exhibit a wide variety of feeding strategies and may consume plant litter, plant roots, bacteria, fungal hyphae, animal waste, decaying animal tissues, plant residues and even nematodes [2] . Collembola partly determine fungal succession [3] . They have a great influence in functioning of the decomposer as a result of their feeding activities and have a great potential as bio indicators of environmental conditions [4] . Extensive taxonomic studies of collembolan have been published throughout the world. There are approximately 8143 species described worldwide [5] . Indian Collembolan fauna represented 314 species belonging to 104 genera under 19 families [6] . First Indian collembolan species described from Malabar hill region [7] . Prabhoo [8-9] recorded 74 species from Western Ghats and Kerala. Seven species of springtails were reported from Jodhpur, Sriganganagar and Jalore districts of Rajasthan [10] . Faisal & Ahmad [11] studied the impact of agricultural practices on collembolan fauna of Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan. Present investigation revealed 10 species of Indian springtails belonging to 8 genera and 3 families from Jalore and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan, India. 2. Material and Methods Survey and collection of soil Collembolans were made under institutional programmes of Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur (Rajasthan). All surveys were undertaken during the 2011-2013 in Kolayat, Ahor, Jalore, Sayala, Raniwara and Sanchore talukas of Bikaner and Jalore districts of Rajasthan. The land covers of these regions characterized by Eucalyptus, Babool, oilseed and cereals crops along with some shrubs. Pitfall traps were placed in each field to collect collembolans specimens. Ethylene Glycol was used as a killing agent. All collected specimens were preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol. Hoyer’s mounting medium was used for slide preparations and identification done by Carl Zenaval Phase contrast microscope