A mathematical model on sampling diplopods using pitfall traps

Summary Trapping of three species of diplopods, viz. Cylindroiulus punctatus (Leach), Tachypodoiulus niger (Leach) and Polydesmus angustus Latzel with pitfall traps in areas with known densities follows a definite mathematical relationship. The number of each species trapped is density dependent upto a lavel: beyond that the increased density levels are not proportionately reflected in the catches. Ecological and mathematical implications of the observations are discussed.