Distribution and diversity of soil arthropods in agricultural ecosystems of Narsampet and Paloncha Mandals, Telangana state

Abstract

The seasonal abundance of soil arthropods was investigated in Madannapet and Karegattu agroecosystems of Telangana from June 2022 to May 2023. Sampling and further seasonal variation studies revealed ten arthropod orders, winter supported the highest abundance (Madannapet: 3783; Karegattu: 4047 individuals), followed by monsoon, while summer recorded the lowest numbers. Collembola contributed the largest share (Madannapet 33.80%, Karegattu 30.07%), confirming its role as a key soil decomposer. Diversity indices showed higher richness and evenness in Karegattu, particularly during summer, whereas Madannapeta exhibited lower diversity during monsoon due to dominance of a few taxa. Two-way ANOVA indicated significant seasonal effects (p = 0.0028) on abundance but no significant differences between sites. The study highlights clear seasonal fluctuations and habitat-level influences on soil arthropod communities, underscoring their ecological roles in soil health and ecosystem functioning.