Research on the fauna of earthworms (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) in Đerdap national park

Abstract

Đerdap National Park is located in the southeastern part of Europe, in the northeastern part of Serbia, on the border with Romania. This paper presents the currently known records on the diversity of earthworm fauna in Đerdap National Park. The number of species from family Lumbricidae known to be occurring in the studied region is 29 species from 11 genera. The genera with the largest number of the registered taxa are Dendrobaena (8) and Aporrectodea (7). A third of all species are peregrines (37.93%). Trans-Aegean species take part with 13.8%, followed by endemic, Central European, Balkanic-Alpine (10.34%). Then follow Illyric (6.90%) and slightly less Moesian, CircumMediterranean, and Southern-Alpine (3.45%). Endemic species take a part with three taxa. Only one species (Allolobophora mehadiensis boscaiui (Pop, 1948)) is Dacian endemic. The obtained results indicate a diverse Lumbricidae fauna. It is certainly necessary to continue with intensive research in order to preserve the biological diversity of this area.