Terrestrial isopods (Isopoda, Oniscidea) of Slovakia: an annotated checklist, new records, and bibliography.

Abstract

Woodlice (terrestrial isopods) represent an unmissable, often very numerous components of macrosaprophages inhabiting soil, rocky environments, rotting wood and subterranean habitats, as well as the dwellings of various organisms, including humans. The paper provides a comprehensive summary of the literature on woodlice in Slovakia, including a list of species with unpublished data on two exotic species first recorded in Slovakia. Research on Slovakian terrestrial isopods has been documented in 213 papers (from 1794 to 2024) and 25 theses. To date, 48 species from 14 families have been recorded in Slovakia. Of these, 30 species are autochthonous, while 18 species have been introduced into anthropogenic habitats, with eight species found exclusively in greenhouses. The list also includes an analysis of habitat preferences, bioindicator potential, and biogeographic comments. Notably, two species, Buddelundiellacataractae and Reductoniscuscostulatus, are recorded in Slovakia for the first time. Carpathian elements are sparsely distributed within the mosaic of well-preserved natural forests. Hyloniscusmariae is likely the only surface-dwelling endemic species in the northern parts of the Carpathian range. Other species, such as Hyloniscustranssilvanicus, Trichoniscuscarpaticus and Trachelipusdifficilis, have a broader distribution within the Carpathians. Additionally, Mesoniscusgraniger, Orthometoponplanum and a few other taxa reach their northern distribution limits in Slovakia. Current research is predominantly focused on the fauna of subterranean habitats and urbanized landscapes.