Bryobionts; mosses; insects; bryophagous animals

From a total of 56 coleopteran taxons (mostly species) from pitfall traps, only one specimen of bryophagous beetles (Simplocaria sp., Byrrhidae) was recorded. We found out a higher species richness of the moss habitat insect communities (about 25 % of insect species was recorded only there). RDA with Monte-Carlo permutation tests shows moisture as a main significant factor (Fig 5) affecting insect habitat preferences (p = 0.028, F = 1.81), while impact of moss layer presence was not significant. We presume that habitat preferences of some insect species known as bryobionts could be explained just as affinity to microclimatic factors. For example insect species in habitats with dry conditions tend to occupy moss cushions and that is why they are considered as strict bryobionts. However we cannot validate this hypothesis, several authors discuss on similar conclusions (SMETANA 1958, HŮRKA 1996, ANDREW et al. 2003).

From a total of 56 coleopteran taxons (mostly species) from pitfall traps, only one specimen of bryophagous beetles (Simplocaria sp., Byrrhidae) was recorded. We found out a higher species richness of the moss habitat insect communities (about 25 % of insect species was recorded only there). RDA with Monte-Carlo permutation tests shows moisture as a main significant factor (Fig 5) affecting insect habitat preferences (p = 0.028, F = 1.81), while impact of moss layer presence was not significant. We presume that habitat preferences of some insect species known as bryobionts could be explained just as affinity to microclimatic factors. For example insect species in habitats with dry conditions tend to occupy moss cushions and that is why they are considered as strict bryobionts. However we cannot validate this hypothesis, several authors discuss on similar conclusions (SMETANA 1958, HŮRKA 1996, ANDREW et al. 2003).