On the presence of the endemic earthworm Dendrobaena rhodopensis (Černosvitov, 1937) in the Balkan Peninsula: biogeographical consideration and conservation status

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to summarize all occurrences of the endemic earthworm Dendrobaena rhodopensis in the Balkan Peninsula, by compiling bibliographic data and data from our own collecting, in order to present its currently known distribution. During the last 70 years, this species has been recorded from 17 localities in Bulgaria, while it is sporadically present in Montenegro and Serbia. Until now, the northernmost findings of the species have been in the Serbian part of the Western Stara Planina Mts., while its southernmost occurrence was reported from Lefkonas near Serres (Greecе). Based on all records on the Balkan Peninsula, it was possible, for the first time, to present graphically the extent of occurrence (EOO) for D. rhodopensis. Considering that this species is mostly characteristic of the mountain ranges in the Balkans, we present its possible movement routes throughout the Balkan Peninsula. Current analysis based on the IUCN (2017) Red List Categories shows that D. rhodopensis belongs to the endangered category (B2: b iii, iv, v and c iii, iv) on a global level. The presented assessment may be considered as a baseline for further research and re-evaluation.