DIVERSITY OF TERRESTRIAL ISOPODS (ONISCIDEA) IN FLOODED AND NON FLOODED ECOSYSTEMS OF SOUTHERN MORAVIA, CZECH REPUBLIC

ABSTRACT

Characteristic biotopes of the Southern Moravian Region in the Czech Republic were sampled for terrestrial isopods. A total of 18 species were recorded. The highest species diversities were found in the Pavlovské Hills (forests and steppes on limestone), in nonflooded alluvial forests, and in halophilous grasslands. Quantitative studies in six selected flooded and nonflooded ecosystems in the Dyje River alluvium showed the negative impact of spring inundations on terrestrial isopod assemblages. Nonflooded forests were characterized by higher species numbers and much higher densities and biomasses than the flooded ones, where only two species were found with low densities and biomasses. Differences between dry and flooded meadows were small; both biotopes possessed low densities and biomasses of isopods. Trachelipus rathkei, one of the most common species in this region, was the only species able to survive and resettle flooded areas.