Expanded distributional records of Collembola and Acari in southern Victoria land, Antarctica

We provide new distributional records for the Collembola and Acari from south Victoria Land in the Ross Dependency, Antarctica, including the first extensive survey of Taylor Valley. We also describe the design of a modified device for the rapid sampling of Antarctic terrestrial arthropods. Sampling was carried out during the austral summers from 1998 to 2001. In several instances we found Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni, Neocryptopygus nivicolus and Stereotydeus mollis at sites where they were not reported in comprehensive surveys made some 40 years ago, which may imply recent range expansion (eg: local dispersal). By contrast, at McMurdo Station and at the former North Base (Marble Point) the distribution of G. hodgsoni and S. mollis was restricted, relative to previous records. We conclude that these latter changes may be the direct result of human activities.