Species composition and distribution of terrestrial isopods (Isopoda) in region Alytus of Lithuania

Terrestrial isopods/woodlice are widespread and fuctions as the dominant component of the soil arthropod macro decomposer community in many terrestrial habitats [1]. Terrestrial isopods have morphological advantages, as desiccation protection also respiration, reproduction, nutrition systems, which allow them distribute in various natural terrestrial biotopes and urbanized areas [2]. The interesting fact, that these organisms are abundant and widespread in Lithuania, but their research began only in 2004. Till now, known fauna of terrestrial isopods of Lithuania contains 12 species [3]. Isopods were collected in 2014 during summer (VI, VII, VIII) and autumn (IX, X) from six different habitats in Alytus (54° 23′20″ N, 24° 2′ 50″ E) region: mixed with coniferous forest, leafy forest, wetland, young mixed with coniferous forest, part of leafy forest located by the road and anthropogenic area. Sampling of isopods was mostly by hand collection. Basic statistical parameters were applied to analyze the results: relative abundance (Ds), species richness (S), Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H), Simpson dominance index (D) and Evenness (EH ) index. The total 1775 individuals were collected and 8 species of isopods were identified: Trachelipus rathkii, Hyloniscus riparius, Porcellio scaber, Trichoniscus pusillus, Cylisticus convexus, Ligidium hypnorum, Oniscus asellus, Porcellionides pruinosus. The latest species P. pruinosus was found as new species in Lithuania. The highest species richness (S=5) was found in mixed forest and the lowest (S = 2) was in young mixed forest. The highest biodiversity (H = 1.41; D = 0.50) of terrestrial isopods was found in mixed forest, meanwhile the lowest (H = 0.13; D = 0.96) was observed in urban area. T.rathkii, a eurytope species, was found in all investigated habitats, whereas P. pruinosus spread only at urban area. [...]Biologijos katedraGamtos mokslų fakultetasVytauto Didžiojo universiteta