Cold-Hardiness of Cryptopygus antarcticus (Collembola) from Bouvetøya

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Abstract
C. antarcticus Willem were extracted from samples of mosses collected at Bouvetoya [South Atlantic] during the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in Feb. 1977. The body length of the collembolans from these samples ranged from 225-1125 .mu.m. The collembolans had average supercooling points between -24.degree. and -26.degree. C. Acclimation at -5.degree., 0.degree. and 12.degree. C for various time intervals had no significant effect on their ability to supercool. Glycerol was not found in specimens acclimated at -5.degree. and 0.degree. C. All specimens were killed by freezing at temperatures in the range of their supercooling points. Chill-coma temperatures of the collembolans were between -2.degree. and 7.degree. C.