Distribution and species grouping of millipedes (Myriapoda, Diplopoda) in dry biotopes in Saxony-Anhalt/Eastern Germany

Within an extensive study on endangered biotopes in the State of Saxony-Anhalt/Eastern Germany, the millipede fauna of 50 dry habitats, belonging to 5 types of biotopes was studied from 1995 to 1998 using pitfall traps. The most abundant species were Glomeris marginata and Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus. By applying a combination of the criteria repraesentanz, constancy and dominance a new criterion, the “common-habitat-relation”, has been introduced to establish biotope-characteristic species and communities of millipedes. The results show that by using these criteria together, distinct groups can be formed consisting of “characteristic” and “companion species”. Eleven out of 34 species that occurred on the sites fitted into this grouping. Characteristic species groups were determined for mesoxeric meadows (C. caeruleocinctus, G. marginata and Glomeris hexasticha) and “succession” sites (Allaiulus nitidus and Polydesmus angustus). The sandy dry meadows were characterized by companion species only (Megaphyllum unilineatum and Ommatoiulus sabulosus), the heavy-metal grassland by the characteristic species Craspedosoma rawlinsii without companion species. For dwarf-shrub heaths no typical species groups could be found.