Characteristics of centipede (Chilopoda) assemblies in Dinaric frost hollows in Velika gora (Slovenia)

Abstract

Current study is preliminary research of centipedes (Chilopoda) assemblies in Slovenian frost hollows. With two sampling methods in three series (June, August and November) in year 2010, 834 individuals were caught and indentified to 30 species. Most collected species had middle Europe distribution, 6 species were endemic for southeast Alps and northwest Balkan region, 3 of them are probably new for science. Five species had paleartic distribution. Maximum number of species found in one location was 28. Average density of centipedes was from 218 ind./m2 to 552 ind./m2. The alfa diversity of the centipede assemblies is medium compared to other locations in Dinaric part of Slovenia and evidently higher compare to other European forest. The same applies for average density and species richness. Overall centipede assemblies were more similar in one location during the season than to assemblies from different locations in the same month.