In this study different sampling techniques for Diplopoda in soil, tree trunks and canopies were applied in an
integrated way in the northern region of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil. This was done in order to assess the
relationship within the fauna in each forest strata, as well as its richness and temporal distribution. In all these habitats
there were a total of 1,354 diplopods, distributed in four taxonomic orders, with Polyxenida being predominant over
Polydesmida, Spirostreptida and Spirobolida. The largest representation was found on the trunks of the Vochysia divergens
(721 ind.), intercepted by tree photoecletors, whereas in the canopies sampling reached only 65 specimens. In the
edaphic stratum 568 diplopods were captured, most with the use of the Winkler extractor, followed by pitfall traps and
soil photoecletors. In spite of being an important group in these environments, both in terms of richness and diversity,
this was less than has been observed in other Neotropical areas. However, due to seasonal changes in the Pantanal the
existence of a relationship between the soil and the tree fauna was found as well as different survival strategies observed
during the flood period. Regarding vertical distribution, the greatest richness and variety of taxonomic groups was
found in the forest’s edaphic environment demonstrating its association mainly with this forest stratum.
