Structure and diversity of psocid taxocenoses (Insecta: Psocoptera) in the forest ecosystems of the Fageta abietis s. lat. zone in the Western Carpathian Mts

Abstract

Structure of psocid taxocenoses (Psocoptera) were studied in forest ecosystems of the Western Carpathian Mts. during 1997–2001. Vegetation tiers were used as a study frame. Lower units of forest site classification system (forest type complexes) were used for a classification of ecological conditions as well. Only a part of material, i.e. individuals that was found in the forest ecosystems of Fageta abietis s. lat. communities (= the 4th beech vegetation tier) was evaluated for purpose of this work. This vegetation tier is widespread in large part of Vsetínské vrchy hills, in the highest parts of Podbeskydská pahorkatina hills, and in the foothills of the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts. 1774 adults comprising 32 species were found in total in the 4th vegetation tier. As eudominant species, the following ones were found: Caecilius flavidus and C. burmeisteri, as dominant species, the following ones were found: Philotarsus picicornis, Elipsocus moebiusi and Peripsocus subfasciatus. In natural geobiocenoses with the level of naturalness of 1 or 2, the following species were found: as eudominant species: Caecilius flavidus and Elipsocus moebiusi, as dominant species, the following one was found: Mesopsocus unipunctatum. Taxocenoses of psocids were evaluated by Detrended Correspondence analysis (DCA) and Divisive Cluster analysis (DvClA). This material was compared to another material gained from various vegetation tiers in the Western Carpathians Mts. The characteristic species composition of psocids in the 4th vegetation tier was as follows: Caecilius flavidus – Elipsocus moebiusi – Peripsocus parvulus.

Keywords

• <i>Psocoptera</i>
• taxocenoses
• diversity
• forest ecosystems
• vegetation tier – <i>Fageta abietis</i> s. lat.
• the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts.