Natura Croatica, Vol. 35 No. 1, 2026.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.20302/NC.2026.35.21
Diversity and dynamics of Collembola (Hexapoda) at springs and tufa barriers in Plitvice Lakes, Croatia, based on long-term monitoring using emergence traps
Frančeska Eterović
orcid.org/0009-0007-8554-5163
; Mia polyclinic Assisted Reproduction Centre, Zametska 13, HR-51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Marija Ivković
; Division of Zoology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Lukić
orcid.org/0000-0002-0067-4684
; Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
*
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Long-term sampling and monitoring programs often generate by-catch of non-target taxa, which are rarely analysed despite their potential to reveal previously undocumented biodiversity. In this study, we exploited by-catch from emergence traps, originally deployed for studying emerging aquatic insects, to investigate Collembola diversity of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Collembola are ubiquitous and abundant soil microarthropods that inhabit numerous terrestrial and semiaquatic habitats. However, aside from a single previous record, they have never been systematically studied in the Plitvice Lakes, and their diversity remains poorly known and largely overlooked in Croatia.
Samples from emergence traps were collected monthly from 2007 to 2022 at two karst springs and two tufa barriers, yielding 1,682 Collembola specimens. A total of 41 species from 21 genera and eight families were identified, including one genus newly recorded for Croatia (Vertagopus) and five species (Desoria hiemalis (Schött, 1893), Desoria tigrina (Tullberg, 1871), Entomobrya corticalis (Nicolet, 1842), Vertagopus cinereus (Nicolet, 1842), and Willowsia platani (Nicolet, 1842)). The order Entomobryomorpha dominated across sites. Springs were associated with higher specimen numbers, whereas tufa barriers exhibited greater species richness. Seasonal dynamics were evident, with peak abundances in spring and autumn and lowest numbers during winter. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination revealed very similar Collembola composition at two spring sites, reflecting their similar habitat characteristics.
Although emergence traps are not specifically designed for Collembola sampling, the dataset provides valuable insights into community composition, diversity and seasonal patterns of this group. Our study demonstrates that non-standardized sampling methods and by-catch analysis can significantly expand knowledge of understudied arthropod groups. This is the first study on Collembola communities in the Plitvice Lakes National Park, which also underscores the need for further targeted surveys and taxonomic research of this understudied group in Croatia.
Ključne riječi
springtails; hexapoda; by-catch; non-target taxa; emergence traps; seasonal dynamics
Hrčak ID:
349472
URI
Datum izdavanja:
30.6.2026.
Posjeta: 0 *