Preferences of common Central European millipedes for different biotope types (Myriapoda, Diplopoda) in Saxony-Anhalt (Germany)

Abstract

Knowledge of habitat preferences of myriapod species is essential for their optimal use in bioindication and biological soil assessment. To increase our knowledge a sampling project was started in Saxony-Anhalt (Eastern Germany) more than 20 years ago. The narrowly defined geographic area was selected for the study because the fauna of this Central European German region represents to a high degree the whole of the Central European fauna. The millipede fauna at 175 sites belonging to 12 biotope types was sampled by pitfall trapping and identified to species. According to plant associations, these sites could be divided into four groups differing in moisture and into two groups differing in the level of vegetation cover. Considering the distribution pattern of 28 selected millipede species in each of these groups (weighted percentage), ecological categories of these species could roughly be distinguished. “Main Preferences” separated open land or woodland species and hygrobiont or xerobiont species. The number (and quality) of the occupied biotope types allowed assessment as stenotopic or eurytopic species (“General Preferences”). If available, a “Special Preference” for a preferred biotope type was recognised. For several species, the results are compared with those in the literature.