Michał Furgoł, Agata Piwnik , Konrad Wiśniewski

Five springtail (Collembola) species inhabiting heathlands in Poland

Introduction

Five springtail (collembola) species inhabiting heathlands in poland. Discover five springtail (Collembola) species in Polish heathlands, including three new records and rare finds. Explore their distribution, habitat preferences, and potential as ecological indicators.

Abstract

We report the presence of five Collembola species from western Poland, three of which were recorded in this country for the first time – Bourletiella pistillum Gisin, 1964 (Bourletiellidae), Lepidocyrtus tellecheae Arbea & Jordana 1990 (Entomobryidae) and Isotoma caerulea Bourlet, 1839 (Isotomidae). Seira dollfusi Carl, 1899 (Entomobryidae) was earlier known solely from a single, old report. Pachyotoma topsenti (Denis, 1948) (Isotomidae) is generally considered a rare species in the region. Though generally infrequently encountered, all five species occur in very high numbers in our plots and they are among the dominant springtails. The habitats surveyed in the study, i.e. dry Calluna-heathlands and their accompanying habitats are endangered in Central Europe and require active management. In one of the studied plots, a prescribed burn was applied to rejuvenate the heather. We discuss the distribution and habitat preferences of the five species in the European context and their possible significance as indicators of different habitat types.

Review

This manuscript presents valuable new faunistic data on five Collembola species found in heathlands in western Poland, making significant contributions to our understanding of regional springtail diversity. Notably, three species—*Bourletiella pistillum*, *Lepidocyrtus tellecheae*, and *Isotoma caerulea*—are reported for the first time in Poland, expanding their known distribution. The rediscovery of *Seira dollfusi* after a single, old report, and the observation of *Pachyotoma topsenti*, a species generally considered rare, further underscore the importance of this study's findings. The most intriguing aspect is the reported high abundance and dominance of all five species within the surveyed plots, a striking contrast to their generally infrequent encounters elsewhere. The ecological context of this study is particularly compelling, as it focuses on dry *Calluna*-heathlands, an endangered habitat in Central Europe that necessitates active management. The high local abundance of these specific Collembola species, despite their general rarity, suggests a strong association with this threatened ecosystem. The paper's intention to discuss the species' distribution and habitat preferences in a European context, alongside their potential as indicators of different habitat types, is highly relevant for conservation efforts. The mention of a prescribed burn in one plot also opens an interesting avenue for understanding the impact of management interventions on Collembola communities. Overall, this is a well-focused and impactful study that provides crucial baseline data for Collembola biodiversity and conservation, particularly within endangered heathland ecosystems. While the abstract highlights promising discussions regarding distribution and indicator potential, the full manuscript should robustly support claims of species dominance with quantitative data and elaborate on the methodologies used to assess these populations. Further details on the specific habitat characteristics and the long-term effects of the prescribed burn on these species would also enrich the paper, strengthening its contribution to ecological understanding and conservation strategies for these unique habitats.

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