Archives of Biological Sciences 2016 Volume 68, Issue 3, Pages: 613-621
https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS151009052D
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Discharge, substrate type and temperature as factors affecting gastropod assemblages in springs in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dmitrović Dejan (University of Banja Luka, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Savić Ana (Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Biology and Ecology, Niš)
Pešić Vladimir (University of Montenegro, Department of Biology, Podgorica, Montenegro)
In this study, we analyzed changes to gastropod assemblages with regard to
the seasonal variations of discharge, substrate composition and temperature
in 19 springs in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Six aquatic gastropod
species were identified, including Bosnidilhia vreloana Boeters, Glöer &
Pešić, 2013 and Islamia dmitroviciana Boeters, Glöer & Pešić, 2013, two
species endemic for the studied area. Surprisingly, we did not observe a
significant influence of discharge on the composition of gastropod
assemblages in the studied springs. This could mean that gastropod
assemblages in the springs examined are well adapted to intermittent
conditions (i.e. fluctuations in discharge). The results of canonical
correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that specific substrate types can be
good predictors for the occurrence of particular species. Interestingly, we
found that spring specialists such as Bythinella schmidti and Islamia
dmitroviciana also inhabit springs with intermittent dry periods. The studied
springs should be considered at risk and some of their gastropod dwellers,
such as the endemics Bosnidilhia vreloana and Islamia dmitroviciana, are
possibly endangered, requiring conservation planning to protect these spring
habitats.
Keywords: springs, intermittent springs, gastropods, discharge, substrate types