Five springtail (Collembola) species inhabiting heathlands in Poland

Authors

• Michał Furgoł Department of Invertebrate Biology, Evolution and Conservation, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 65, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
• Agata Piwnik Department of Invertebrate Biology, Evolution and Conservation, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 65, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
• Konrad Wiśniewski Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, Arciszewskiego 22b, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33338/ef.87176

Abstract

We report the presence of five Collembola species from western Poland, three of which were recorded in this country for the first time – Bourletiella pistillum Gisin, 1964 (Bourletiellidae), Lepidocyrtus tellecheae Arbea & Jordana 1990 (Entomobryidae) and Isotoma caerulea Bourlet, 1839 (Isotomidae). Seira dollfusi Carl, 1899 (Entomobryidae) was earlier known solely from a single, old report. Pachyotoma topsenti (Denis, 1948) (Isotomidae) is generally considered a rare species in the region. Though generally infrequently encountered, all five species occur in very high numbers in our plots and they are among the dominant springtails. The habitats surveyed in the study, i.e. dry Calluna-heathlands and their accompanying habitats are endangered in Central Europe and require active management. In one of the studied plots, a prescribed burn was applied to rejuvenate the heather. We discuss the distribution and habitat preferences of the five species in the European context and their possible significance as indicators of different habitat types.