Taxonomic diversity and abundance of enchytraeids (Annelida, Clitellata, Enchytraeida) in the Northern Palaearctic. 2. European Russia

Ruslan A Saifutdinov ¹, Maxim I Degtyarev ¹, Daniil I Korobushkin ¹

¹A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russia.
²Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Centre of the Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar, Russia Institute of Biology, Komi Scientific Centre of the Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences Syktyvkar Russia.
³Present affiliation: UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Present affiliation: UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin Dublin Ireland.
⁴Present affiliation: Independent Researcher, Unaffiliated, Moscow, Russia Present affiliation: Independent Researcher, Unaffiliated Moscow Russia.
⁵Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russia.
⁶Present affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China Present affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong China.
⁷Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Murmansk, Russia Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences Murmansk Russia.
⁸A.N. Belozersky Institute Of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia A.N. Belozersky Institute Of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University Moscow Russia.
⁹Present affiliation: Centre for Strategic Planning of FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russia Present affiliation: Centre for Strategic Planning of FMBA of Russia Moscow Russia.
¹⁰Present affiliation: All-Russian Center for Plant Quarantine, Moscow, Russia Present affiliation: All-Russian Center for Plant Quarantine Moscow Russia.
¹¹Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Birmensdorf, Switzerland Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research Birmensdorf Switzerland.
¹²Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich Zürich Switzerland.
¹³Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz, Görlitz, Germany Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz Görlitz Germany.

⁰A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences Moscow Russia.

Biodiversity Data Journal +

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March 5, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This study details the diversity and abundance of enchytraeids (potworms) in the Northern Palaearctic, revealing 73 species across 204 sites. The findings enhance understanding of soil biodiversity in European Russia.

Area Of Science

Zoology
Ecology
Soil Science

Background

Enchytraeids (potworms) are vital soil invertebrates globally.
Their diversity and abundance are understudied due to identification challenges.
This research focuses on the Northern Palaearctic Region.

Purpose Of The Study

To expand knowledge on enchytraeid distribution and abundance in the Northern Palaearctic.
To present a comprehensive dataset of enchytraeid communities in European Russia.
To provide a foundation for future soil biodiversity research and conservation.

Main Methods

Systematic field sampling of soil across the Northern Palaearctic from 2019-2023.
Georeferencing of 204 sampling sites.
Data compilation into a species-specific Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A) format.

Main Results

Documented 73 enchytraeid species from 17 genera.
Collected 61,254 total records, with 1,419 indicating presence.
Mapped distribution across the East European Plain and North Caucasus Region.

Conclusions

The dataset offers unprecedented insights into terrestrial enchytraeid diversity and abundance.
It is crucial for understanding spatial and temporal variations in soil fauna.
The findings support soil biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts in the region.

Keywords:

Caucasus Mountains Enchytraeidae Franz Josef Land Novaya Zemlya Archipelago Russia boreal forest deciduous forest desert mesofauna oligochaete potworm sampling event soil fauna steppe terrestrial ecosystem tundra

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