Ganin G.N.
Data are reported on the food activity parameters in five species of diplopodes. Maximum consumption rate and specific assimilation of the birch litter are 56 and 40% accordingly. Assimilation rate varies from 50 to 94%. In summer consumption rate is higher than in autumn. In dry period assimilation rate falls down drastically. The diplopodes of the studied communities can process about 15 g/m1 of the litter during a season. 85% of it falls on Skleroprotopus coreanus and Sichotanus eurygaster equally. The obtained value makes up about 20% of the litter consumed by the whole complex of large saprophages. About 70% of this amount is assimilated. Approximately 70% of cellulose is disintegrated in the process of digestion by millepedes that accounts for 1/3 of the actual ration.
БИРШТЕЙН В.Я., МИХАЙЛОВА Н.А.