CONCLUSIONS There were 28 species of centipedes, belonging to four families, observed in the monitoring areas influenced by the construction of the Hydroelectric power structure Gabcikovo. This is approximately one third of the species known on the Slovak territory. By comparing the species spectrum of centipedes estimated in 1991-1992 and in 1993-1994 we observed a retreat of some species (Lithobius agilis, L. cyrtopus, L. lucifugus, L. tricuspis, Lamyctes fulvicornis), and vice-versa, an appearance of species previously not found here (Lithobius calcaratus, Clinopodes linearis).
The increase of the dominance of the eurytopic species Lithobius forficatus (19 % in 1991, 23 % in 1992, 34 % in 1993, 43 % in 1994) and Lithobius mutabilis (6 % in 1991, 8 % in 1992, 21 % in 1993, 17 % in 1994) is expressive mainly in the monitoring areas between the by-pass canal (diversion canal) and the old Danube river-bed. This is connected with ruderalisation of the part of territory close to Danube. In spite of the large-area interference and ruderalisation process of the territory, the high degree of diversity of centipedes community has not changed on the majority of the monitoring areas until now. At present desiccation is visible in the monitoring area at Dobrohost In 1994 the species Lithobius calcaratus, preferring drier habitats, was found here for the first time. A female of the species Lithobius biunguiculatus, which is a new for the West Slovak fauna, was found in the monitoring area Istragov (September 23, 1992).
Changes, which occurred in this territory during 1990-1994, influenced the species spectrum and the quantitative representation of numerous animals. Chilopoda, although they do not react onto changes in environment rapidly, reacted by changes in the species composition and abundance during the last two years (1993-1994). Those are longevitous arthropods with a slow individual and population growth, belonging to the group of K-strategists species.
From the point of view of the aim of monitoring the region influenced by hydropower structures is divided into three parts:
Until now only a little attention was paid to the study of centipedes. Gulicka [6] elaborated Chilopoda of the locality Cierny les, situated 2 km south-east from Gabcikovo. He presents in his paper the species Lithobius forficatus, L. macilentus (syn. aulacopus), L. dentatus and L. aeruginosus. Folkmanova [5] quotes the species Dignathodon microcephalum from this territory (Samorin). In the close localities Topolove Hony, Hamuliakovo, Jurova the following centipedes species have occurred: Lithobius agilis, L. erythrocephalus, L. forficatus, L. melanops, L. mutabilis, L. microps, Lamyctes fulvicornis and Pachymerium ferrugineum [3].
The siftings were performed from an area of 1 m2, except of the litter approximately 2 cm of the upper soil layer was scraped. Half litre tins filled to one half by a 5-6 % formaldehyde were used as pitfall traps. Each trap was covered by a tin roof on 3 cm stands during the exposition. The position of the traps on the monitoring areas corresponded to the places, where the siftings were performed. The siftings and collection from the traps were performed in three weeks intervals, since May until October. Additional material was elaborated also from several individual collections. Totally, more than 2,000 specimens of centipedes, belonging to 28 species were determined (Table 1).
From the species spectrum changes it is worth to mention the species Lithobius crassipes, Clinopodes flavidus and Henia illyrica, which were not recorded in 1991, but we observed them in 1993 and 1994. It is necessary to underline the observation of the thermophilous species Henia illyrica, penetrating from the south, known only from the warmest localities of the Slovak territory. In addition, this species is an indicator of slight damaged xerothermophilous localities of forest-steppe character. During the monitoring years changes were not manifested only in the species composition, but also in the quantitative representation. The abundance of eurytopic species Lithobius forficatus decreased (in 1991 - 53 %, in 1994 - 5 %), and on the other side, the abundance of the species Lithobius aeruginosus increased from 6 % in 1991 to 43 % in 1993 and 27 % in 1994. This species belongs to typical species of the Danubian lowland. Based on the results of the study of centipedes taxocoenosis been performed it turned out that an increase of the groundwater level on the Ostrov Kopac island tends to a slow regeneration of biota. In spite of the desiccation as well as a recent large-size fire, numerous faunistic elements of this rare locality will be preserved. The territory of the Ostrov Kopac island belongs to the very valuable monitoring areas of the Danubian lowland.
The presence of pretentious hygrophilous species Lithobius agilis indicates, that this monitoring area is a well-preserved relict of the floodplain forest. We do not suppose, that more significant changes, manifested by the changes of the soil macrofauna, will occur in this territory, in the close future.
In 1991 and 1992 the species Lithobius curtipes (27 %, 18 %), L. forficatus (23 %, 21 %), and L. erythrocephalus (11 % in 1992) belonged among the eudominant species. After the damming (1993, 1994) belonged among the eudominamt centipedes Lithobius forficatus (49 %, 64 %) and L. curtipes (13 % in 1993).
After 1992 on localities Dobrohost - Dunajske kriviny, Bodiky - Bodicka brana, Bodiky - Kralovska luka, Gabcikovo - Istragov there was already not observed the hygrophilous species Lithobius agilis, which is a sensitive indicator of a high degree of soil humidity. Its absence, or lowering of its abundance can indicate a desiccation process. Except of this species we did not find some other species (Lithobius tricuspis and Lithobius cyrtopus) in these areas in 1993 and 1994 too.
The rare species Clinopodes linearis belongs to the species, which were recorded after 1992 in the monitoring areas Istragov in 1993 and 1994. Except of the monitoring area Istragov this species was also found in the monitoring areas of the first and third group (Ostrovne lucky, Cicov).
According the results obtained up to now, it can be deduced that the greatest changes occur in the monitoring area Dobrohost. In this locality species Lithobius calcaratus, which prefers drier habitats, as the majority of other species of centipedes, was registered for the first time (in 1994).
The changes were not only manifested in the species spectrum, but also in the quantitative representation of the eurytopic species Lithobius forficatus and Lithobius mutabilis. The value of dominance of the species Lithobius forficatus increased in the monitoring areas of the second group, after 1992 in the average by 20 % (20 % in 1991-1992, 40 % in 1993-1994) in comparison to 1991-1992. The dominance of the species Lithobius mutabilis increased in the monitoring areas Dobrohost, Bodicka brana, Kralovska luka in average by 12 % (7 % in 1991-1992, 19 % in 1993-1994); the dominance of this species decreased only in the monitoring area Istragov (32 % in 1992, 10 % in 1994). The quantitative increase of eurytopic species is a reaction to a gradual ruderalisation of this territory.
The low number of the ripicolous species Lamyctes fulvicornis is surprising, that was observed in the monitoring area Kralovska luka and in the monitoring areas of the third group in Cicov. The species Lamyctes fulvicornis belongs to species with a high dominance in the neighbouring Hungary [1] as well as at the shore of the Morava river in Austria [13], in localities with a similar character, than it is in the Danube lowland. It is possible, that the low abundance of this species depends on the higher degree of devastation of monitoring stands.
Monitoring areas Ostrov Kopac and Ostrovne lucky are characteristic by the presence of xerothermophilous areas of a forest-steppe character. This is also confirmed by the discoveries of thermophilous species of the Mediterranean origin Henia illyrica. The species Cryptops parisi was also observed in these monitoring areas, including the Rusovecke ostrovy islands, which confirms, that these localities are drier than the other localities. Monitoring areas on Rusovecke ostrovy are the only localities, where species Brachygeophilus truncorum was collected during the monitoring.
The five-year study of this territory showed, that in spite of various changes, which have occurred here, the community of centipedes of the Danubian floodplain forest, represented by the species: Lithobius curtipes, L. crassipes, L. aeruginosus, Pachymerium ferrugineum, remains preserved. The species Lithobius agilis and Lamyctes fulvicornis, which reacted sensitively to environmental changes by an expressive decrease of the abundance, belong also to this community. Except of the above-mentioned species the eurytopic, highly adaptable species Lithobius forficatus, L. erythrocephalus and L. mutabilis, the abundance of which increased, belong to this community.
Fam. Lithobiidae |
---|
Subfam. Lithobiinae |
Lithobius (Lithobius) agilis C.L.Koch, 1847 |
Lithobius (Lithobius) calcuratus C.L.Koch, 1844 |
Líthobius (Lithobius) cyrtopus Latzel, 1880 |
Líthobius (Lithobius) erythrocephalus C.L.Koch, 1847 |
Lithobius (Lithobius) forficatus [Linne, 1758) |
Lithobius (Lithobius) lucifugus L.Koch, 1862 |
Lithobíus (Lithobius) melarnops Newport, 1845 |
Lithobius (Lithobius) mutabilis L.Koch, 1862 |
Lithobius (Lithobius) muticus C.L.Koch, 1847 |
Lithobicts (Lithobius) piceus L.Koch, 1862 |
Lithobius (Lithobius) tricuspis Meinert, 1872 |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) aeruginosus L.Koch, 1862 |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) austriacus Verhoeíi: 1937 |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) biunguiculatus Loksa. 1947 |
Lithobíus (Monotarsobius) crassipes L.Koch, 1862 |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) curtipes C.L.Koch, 1847 |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) microps Melnert, 1868 |
Subfam. Henicopinae |
Lamyctes fulvicornis Melnert. 1868 |
Fam. Geophilinae |
Subfam. Geophilinae |
Necrophloeophagus longicornis (Leach, 1814) |
Clinopodes flavidus C.L.Koch. 1847 |
Clinopodes linearis [C.L.Koch. 1835) |
Brachygeophilus truncorum Bergsoe et Meinert. 1866 |
Subfam. Pachymerlinae |
Pachymerium ferrugineum (G. L. Koch, 1835) |
Pachymericum tristanicum Attems, 1928 |
Subfam. Dignathodontinae |
Henia illyrica (Meinert. 1870) |
Strigarnia acumiinata (Leach, 1814) |
Fam. Schendylidae |
Schendyla nemorensis (C.L. Koch. 1837) |
Fam. Cryptopidae |
Cryptops parisi Brolemann. 1920 |
Monitoring area: Podunajske Biskupice-Ostrov Kopac | |||
---|---|---|---|
1991 | 1993 | 1994 | |
Líthobius (Lithobius) erythrocephalus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) forficatus (Linne, 1758) | + | + | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) mutabilis L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) aeruginosus L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + |
Lithobíus (Monotarsobius) crassipes L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) curtipes C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | |
Clinopodes flavidus C.L.Koch. 1847 | + | + | |
Clinopodes linearis (C.L.Koch. 1835) | + | + | + |
Pachymerium ferrugineum (G. L. Koch, 1835) | + | + | |
Henia illyrica (Meinert. 1870) | + | + | |
Strigarnia acumiinata (Leach, 1814) | + | + | + |
Cryptops parisi Brolemann, 1920 | + |
Monitoring area: Rusovce-Horny rusovecky ostrov | |
---|---|
1990 | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) agilis C.L.Koch, 1847 | + |
Líthobius (Lithobius) erythrocephalus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) forficatus [Linne, 1758) | + |
Lithobíus (Lithobius) melarnops Newport, 1845 | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) mutabilis L.Koch, 1862 | + |
Lithobicts (Lithobius) piceus L.Koch, 1862 | + |
Lithobíus (Monotarsobius) crassipes L.Koch, 1862 | + |
Necrophloeophagus longicornis (Leach, 1814) | + |
Clinopodes flavidus C.L.Koch. 1847 | + |
Brachygeophilus truncorum Bergsoe et Meinert. 1866 | + |
Pachymerium ferrugineum (G. L. Koch, 1835) | + |
Cryptops parisi Brolemann, 1920 | + |
Monitoring area: Rusovce-Dolny rusovecky ostrov | |
---|---|
1990 | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) agilis C.L.Koch, 1847 | + |
Líthobius (Lithobius) erythrocephalus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) forficatus [Linne, 1758) | + |
Lithobíus (Lithobius) melarnops Newport, 1845 | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) mutabilis L.Koch, 1862 | + |
Necrophloeophagus longicornis (Leach, 1814) | + |
Clinopodes flavidus C.L.Koch. 1847 | + |
Brachygeophilus truncorum Bergsoe et Meinert. 1866 | + |
Pachymerium ferrugineum (G. L. Koch, 1835) | + |
Cryptops parisi Brolemann, 1920 | + |
Monitoring area: Cunovo-Ostrovne lucky | |||
---|---|---|---|
1990 | 1993 | 1994 | |
Líthobius (Lithobius) erythrocephalus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) forficatus [Linne, 1758) | + | + | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) mutabilis L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) aeruginosus L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + |
Lithobíus (Monotarsobius) crassipes L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + |
Clinopodes flavidus C.L.Koch. 1847 | + | + | |
Clinopodes linearis [C.L.Koch. 1835) | + | + | + |
Henia illyrica (Meinert. 1870) | + | + | + |
Strigarnia acumiinata (Leach, 1814) | + | + | |
Schendyla nemorensis (C.L. Koch. 1837) | + | ||
Cryptops parisi Brolemann, 1920 | + | + | + |
Monitoring area: Dobrohost-Dunajske kriviny | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) calcuratus C.L.Koch, 1844 | + | |||
Líthobius (Lithobius) cyrtopus Latzel, 1880 | + | |||
Líthobius (Lithobius) erythrocephalus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) forficatus [Linne, 1758) | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) lucifugus L.Koch, 1862 | + | |||
Lithobius (Lithobius) mutabilis L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) muticus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | |||
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) aeruginosus L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) austriacus Verhoeíi: 1937 | + | |||
Lithobíus (Monotarsobius) crassipes L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) curtipes C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) microps Melnert, 1868 | + | |||
Necrophloeophagus longicornis (Leach, 1814) | + | + | ||
Clinopodes flavidus C.L.Koch. 1847 | + | |||
Pachymerium ferrugineum (G. L. Koch, 1835) | + | + | + | + |
Pachymericum tristanicum Attems, 1928 | + | + |
Monitoring area: Bodiky-Bodicka brana | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) agilis C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | |||
Líthobius (Lithobius) erythrocephalus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) forficatus [Linne, 1758) | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) mutabilis L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) muticus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | |||
Lithobicts (Lithobius) piceus L.Koch, 1862 | + | |||
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) aeruginosus L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | |
Lithobíus (Monotarsobius) crassipes L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | ||
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) curtipes C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) microps Melnert, 1868 | + | |||
Necrophloeophagus longicornis (Leach, 1814) | + | + | + | |
Pachymerium ferrugineum (G. L. Koch, 1835) | + | + | + | |
Strigamia acuminata (Leach, 1814) | + | + |
Monitoring area: Bodiky-Kralovska luka | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) agilis C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | |||
Líthobius (Lithobius) cyrtopus Latzel, 1880 | + | |||
Líthobius (Lithobius) erythrocephalus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) forficatus [Linne, 1758) | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) mutabilis L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) muticus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) tricuspis Meinert, 1872 | + | + | ||
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) aeruginosus L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobíus (Monotarsobius) crassipes L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | ||
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) curtipes C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + | |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) microps Melnert, 1868 | + | + | ||
Lamyctes fulvicornis Melnert. 1868 | + | + | + | + |
Necrophloeophagus longicornis (Leach, 1814) | + | |||
Pachymerium ferrugineum (G. L. Koch, 1835) | + | |||
Strigarnia acumiinata (Leach, 1814) | + |
Monitoring area: Gabcikovo-Istragov | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) agilis C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | ||
Líthobius (Lithobius) erythrocephalus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) forficatus [Linne, 1758) | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) mutabilis L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) aeruginosus L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) biunguiculatus Loksa. 1947 | + | |||
Lithobíus (Monotarsobius) crassipes L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) curtipes C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + | + |
Clinopodes linearis [C.L.Koch. 1835) | + | + | ||
Pachymerium ferrugineum (G. L. Koch, 1835) | + | + | + | + |
Monitoring area: Klucovec-Sporna sihot | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | |
Líthobius (Lithobius) erythrocephalus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) forficatus [Linne, 1758) | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) mutabilis L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) muticus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | |||
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) aeruginosus L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | ||
Lithobíus (Monotarsobius) crassipes L.Koch, 1862 | + | + | + | + |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) curtipes C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + | + | + |
Necrophloeophagus longicornis (Leach, 1814) | + | + | ||
Pachymerium ferrugineum (G. L. Koch, 1835) | + | + | + | + |
Monitoring area: Cicov-Stary les | ||
---|---|---|
1993 | 1994 | |
Lithobius (Lithobius) agilis C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | |
Líthobius (Lithobius) erythrocephalus C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) forficatus [Linne, 1758) | + | + |
Lithobius (Lithobius) mutabilis L.Koch, 1862 | + | + |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) aeruginosus L.Koch, 1862 | + | + |
Lithobíus (Monotarsobius) crassipes L.Koch, 1862 | + | + |
Lithobius (Monotarsobius) curtipes C.L.Koch, 1847 | + | + |
Lamyctes fulvicornis Melnert. 1868 | + | + |
Clinopodes linearis [C.L.Koch. 1835) | + | |
Pachymerium ferrugineum (G. L. Koch, 1835) | + | + |
Fig. 1 View at centipedes (Chilopoda) collection site at the monitoring area Dobrohost (June 1991)
Fig. 2 View at centipedes (Chilopoda) collection site at the monitoring area Dobrohost (July 1994),
Fig. 3 Monitoring site Bodicka brana (June 1991)
Fig. 4 Monitoring site Kralovska luka, river side zone, where the centipedes(Chilopoda) collection pitfall traps have been set up (Jun 1993)
Fig. 5 Monitoring site Kralovska luka, a forest behind the old river branch, site where the sifting has been performed (September 1994)
Fig. 6 Monitoring site Istragov, The Poplar monoculture (June 1991)
Fig. 7 Monitoring site Cicov - Stary les, pitfall traps and litter sifting site (June 1993)
Fig. 8 Gabcikovo, inundated building at the Danube bank (July 1991)