A checklist of springtails (Hexapoda, Collembola) from Kosovo and Metohija province, Republic of Serbia

View on Scopus The knowledge of Collembola diversity is far from complete, especially on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. This paper presents a summary of all identified species of springtails in the area of Kosovo and Metohija. The list of species includes a total of ۱۱۹ species of springtails classified into ۶۵ genera, ۱۶ families, and ۴ orders. Representatives of all four recent orders of Collembola are present in this checklist. The order with the greatest number of species is Entomobryomorpha with ۵۵ determined species, while the order Neelipleona is present with only one endemic cave species Neelus klisurensis Kovác & Papác, ۲۰۱۰, which is found in the aphotic zone of the cave in Velika Klisura at the foot of Prokletije mountains. The family with the most number of species is Entomobryidae Schäffer, ۱۸۹۶ with ۲۱ species, while the most scarce families are Poduridae, Paronellidae and Neelidae, each with one representative. The family with the most genera is Isotomidae with a total of ۱۱ genera. The genus Entomobrya Rondani, ۱۸۶۱ is the genus with the most species, with a total of ۱۱ species. The fauna of the springtails of Kosovo and Metohija has not been properly and sufficiently investigated, although great diversity and high endemism can be expected in this territory, especially in the unexplored caves and gorges. The importance of springtail research is manifold. This paper is a contribution to add knowledge to the existing fauna of Kosovo and Metohija and the starting point for further research of springtails in this area.

Keywords:

checklist , Collembola , species , diversity , Serbia