Studies on the Decomposition of the Faecal Pellets of a Millipede (Glomeris Marginata (Villers))

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Glomeris pellets lost 23.3 ± 6.0% dry weight while decomposing in the field for 12 weeks, compared with a loss of 7.4 ± 3.2% in the laboratory. After 1 year in the field the pellets had lost 50.6 ± 7.7% dry weight, a figure similar to the loss recorded for whole leaf litter in the field. Bacterial counts and oxygen consumption reached maxima within the first 14 days of decomposition in both field and laboratory. High RQ values (0.85-0.92) indicated utilization of carbohydrates during the early stages of decomposition, and this was confirmed by chemical analysis. Fungal counts increased as the pellets aged. Phycomycete fungi grew strongly during the first 14 days, after which they were replaced by Fungi Imperfecti and Ascomycetes, which was a different succession to that recorded on the parent plant litter.