Diversity and distribution of myriapods (Myriapoda: diplopoda, chilopoda, symphyla) and pseudoscorpiones (Arachnida: pseudoscorpiones) in some regions of Lithuania

Abstract

The myriapods and pseudoscorpiones, contain approximately 16,000 and 3000 described species respectively. Although these arthropods play an important ecological role in most terrestrial ecosystems, little is known about their diversity and biology compared with other arthropod groups. Most pseudoscorpiones are small and have cryptic habits, therefore they are rarely detected and often overlooked. In contrast to larger arthropod orders, there are few specialists dedicated to their research, thus they are many insufficiently known areas in Europe. Lithuania being one of them. Up till now only one species of pseudoscorpion, Neobisium carcinoides is recorded living in Lithuania (Tamutis 2011). The aim of this study to supplement the data about diversity and distribution of myriapods and pseudoscorpiones in some regions of Lithuania. These arthropods were collected on 2016 – 2017 in Kaunas, Jonava and Šilutė regions, by hand and/or sampling soil/litter from 30 cm2 quadrats fields in study sites. The material collected was identified and stored in 70% ethanol. 10 diplopods, 5 centipedes and 1 species of genus Symphyla together with three pseudoscorpiones species: Chtonius tetrachelatus (fam. Chtoniidae), Microbisium brevifemoratum (fam. Chernitidae), and Dinocheirus panzer (?) and (fam. Neobisidae). were identified.