Abstract
The centipede Lithobiusproximus Sseliwanoff, 1878 is presented for the first time as a new member of the Polish fauna. This species, originally characterized as a widespread Siberian boreal species, seems to possess high plasticity with regards to environmental requirements. Its actual distribution range covers several geographical zones where local conditions have allowed it to survive. The present research in the Wigry National Park, northeast Poland, shows that its distribution extends to the ends of the East European Plain embracing the East Suwałki Lake District, where it occurs almost exclusively in the oak-hornbeam forests: in summer it is one of the three dominant lithobiomorph centipedes inhabiting litter layers.
Highlights
According to data from the catalogue of the Polish centipede fauna (Kaczmarek 1980), Poland has been unevenly explored
The northeastern most edge of Poland is the most western part of the East European Plain (Russian Plain), the megaregion that is characterised by a classic latitudinal nature zonation combined with an increasing longitudinal continental character
Climate shifts result in the East European Plain to be covered by belts of biomes arranged from the tundra to the taiga, mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, broadleaved forests, steppe and semideserts to deserts in the south
Summary
According to data from the catalogue of the Polish centipede fauna (Kaczmarek 1980), Poland has been unevenly explored. The present research in the Wigry National Park focuses on natural habitats and evaluation of soil fauna communities and has Copyright Jolanta Wytwer, Karel Tajovský. Included in the material collected, Lithobius proximus Sseliwanoff, 1878 was recorded as a new centipede species for the Polish fauna.
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