Comparison of Terrestrial Isopod (Isopoda, Oniscidea) Assemblages from Two Types of Forests from North Western Romania

• Main Authors: Sára Ferenţi, Severus-Daniel Covaciu-Marcov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Union of Scientists in Bulgaria 2012-12-01
• Series: Ecologia Balkanica
• Subjects: Huta Certeze; Isopoda; Oniscidea; woodlice; beech forest; mixed forest; microhabitat; surface activity
• Online Access: http://web.uni-plovdiv.bg/mollov/EB/2012_vol4_iss2/08_eb.12121.pdf

In 2008 we compared the terrestrial isopod assemblages from two different habitats, a beech forest and a mixed beech and spruce forest, from north western Romania (Huta Certeze locality). The samples were taken from April to September using pitfall traps. We identified a total of 7 species: Ligidium germanicum, Trichoniscus sp., Hyloniscus transsilvanicus, Protracheoniscus politus, Porcellium collicola, Trachelipus difficilis and Porcellio scaber. A greater diversity and species richness were noticed in the beech forest. The poverty of species in the mixed forest was a consequence of the forest type, the anthropogenic impact and the dry environment. High surface activity of individuals was noticed in the summer months. Even if the species compositions of the two compared isopod assemblages were not identical, there weren’t statistically significant differences between them.