Distribution patterns and diversity of invertebrates of temperate rainforests in Tasmania with a focus on Pauropoda

Abstract

Pauropoda are recorded for the fi rst time from Tasmania. Nineteen species are listed from a large collection of specimens made during an intensive survey of temperate rainforest in Tasmania. A key is provided for the identifi cation of Tasmanian species which are recorded by voucher number and the biogeographical affi nities of the fauna are discussed. Taxic richness of Pauropoda in Tasmanian rainforests is compared with that of several other groups of litter and bark invertebrates from the same collections. All groups show similar patterns of high taxic richness in the northwest and southeast regions with lower richness at higher altitudes. The implications for the conservation of Tasmania’s highly endemic invertebrate fauna is discussed.