Resumen

CHAVEZ SUAREZ, Licet; LABRADA HERNANDEZ, Yakelín  y  ALVAREZ FONSECA, Alexander. Soil macrofauna in mountain livestock production ecosystems in Guisa, Granma, Cuba. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2016, vol.39, n.3, pp.111-115. ISSN 0864-0394.

The objective of this work was to identify the soil macrofauna present in mountain livestock production ecosystems, in Guisa, Granma province. The samplings were conducted in October, 2012, in 7 livestock production farms. The edaphic macrofauna was collected according to the methodology proposed by the TSBF (Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility). Three 25 x 25 x 20 cm test pits were excavated in each study area. The individuals of the edaphic macrofauna were manually selected, the earthworm were preserved in 4 % formaldehyde and the remaining invertebrates in 70 % alcohol, for their later identification; which was made through the consultation of different taxonomic documents, among others. The edaphic macrofauna was grouped in two phyla, four classes, six orders, six families and 11 species, from which six belong to ants. It is concluded that in the mountain livestock production ecosystems of Guisa, Granma, the highest quantity of species belonged to the Formicidae family. The earthworms were the prevailing organisms, because they were collected in 100 % of the sampled areas and most individuals were found in the farm where star grass prevailed. It is recommended to evaluate other livestock production units in the mountain using variables that best characterize the performance of the soil macrofauna (for example: density and biomass).

Palabras clave : pasturelands; earthworm; soil microorganisms.

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