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The Terrestrial Invertebrate Working Group conducted research in several distinct areas:
- Biosystematics of two-winged flies (Diptera)
- Community ecology of saproxylic invertebrates (particularly beetles - Coleoptera pars.),
- Biology and ecology of bumblebees (Apoidea pars),
- Community ecology of potworms (Annelida: Enchytraeidae)
- Ethology and taxonomy of spiders (Araneida).
A common project was the annotated inventory of terrestrial invertebrates of the UNESCO Pálava Biosphere Reserve and its potential enlargement area (by now the re-named Lower Morava Biosphere Reserve), the compilation of which was initiated and coordinated by members of the working group, who also acted as editors of the published volumes. The working group also collaborated on the subsequent inventory of aquatic invertebrates of the same reserve.
Biosystematic of two-winged flies (Diptera)
The above-mentioned inventory of terrestrial invertebrates of the Pálava Biosphere Reserve included two volumes entirely devoted to Diptera.
An annotated species inventory of the Diptera of north-western Bohemia (environs of the towns Duchcov and Bílina), an landscape badly affected by surface mining and heavy industry, was compiled in cooperation with the Bohemian Agricultural University in Prague.
The preparation of an annotated species inventory of Diptera of the Podyjí (Dyje valley) National Park - again in cooperation with the Bohemian Agricultural University in Prague.
Important insights into the taxonomy of the genera Dasyhelea and Atrichopogon (Ceratopogonidae) have been gained by the use of molecular-biological methods; these are the first results of a molecular-biological laboratory set up in the course of the Research Plan implementation. Revised or completely new identification keys of Central-European representatives of several dipteran families have been published covering Stratiomyidae, Sciomyzidae and Muscidae.
Members of the working group participated in setting up an European database of animal species - Fauna Europea - either being responsible for entire families (Xylomyidae, Xylophagidae, Stratiomyidae, Phaeomyiidae, and Sciomyzidae) or as collaborators (Tachinidae). Check-lists covering the Czech and Slovak Republics were compiled for the dipteran families Tachinidae, Ceratopogonidae and Chloropidae (the latter in collaboration with the Bohemian Agricultural University in Prague).
A catalogue of tachinid hosts has been compiled for the Czech Republic.
Seven dipteran families were treated for the new Red List of Czech fauna.
Based on our long-term efforts to keep track of dipterological literature regarding the Czech and Slovak Republics an up-to-date bibliography has been made public on the internet.
Community ecology of saproxylic invertebrates
aproxylic invertebrates, particularly beetles, but also ants, brachyceran Diptera, and spiders have been studied in the floodplain forests of South Moravia. Particular attention was paid to the communities in lying oak trunks and the impact of flooding on these communities. More recently a pilot study on the saproxylic beetles of the canopy in these forests has been completed. Results were published in a monograph and several papers; some are still in preparation.
Community ecology of potworms (Annelida: Enchytraeidae)
Enchytraeids and other small soil-dwelling annelids belonging to the mesofauna were studied: modifications of the wet funnel extraction method were compared, the succession in differing treatments within a meadow restoration experiment on arable land was monitored over several years, and the impact of livestock grazing on the community was assessed on several meadow and pasture sites. All projects (and some additional faunistic work) took place in southern and southeastern Moravia. Preliminary results were published or are in press. Some projects have just ended (publications are being prepared) or are still underway. Additionally, some older data were presented and published.
Biology of bumblebees (Apoidea pars)
A reliable technique of laboratory rearing of Bombus terrestris, a representative of the physiological group of so called "pollen storers", has been developed and successfully adapted to keep also B. pascuorum, the representative of "pocket makers". Altogether, at least 4 species have been successfully managed in laboratory. Now, it is possible to produce the tailor-made pollination units, which can be used in the cage pollination of valuable genetic resources of plants. The laboratory management of bumblebees can be further developed to preserve endangered species by reproducing them in captivity. The publications related to the research can be found at http://www.sci.muni.cz/ptacek/publPtacMSM.htm. In 2004 we have been invited to join the European Pollination Initiative headed by Dr. S. Potts from the UK (See Regional Contacts).
Ethology and taxonomy of spiders (Araneida)
The study of spider ethology focused on genera specialised in certain prey, i.e. Dysdera, Palpimanus and Zodarion. We have shown Dysdera spp. to be specialised predators of woodlice; the individual Dysdera species use different hunting strategies. In several araneophagous species of Palpimanus we were able to record and analyse their stridulation, which they use for intraspecific communication. The most important results were reached in our studies on the behavioural ecology of the myrmecophagous Zodarion species. Each species was shown to be specialised on a particular group of ants. Taxonomically closer species have a more similar biology. We have described the very specific predation behaviour, which allows Zodarion to prey on dangerous ants efficiently, and a unique mimicry by which Zodarion is able to survive in the vicinity of ant nests. Besides that, we have studied the association of several east-mediterranean species to their habitat and the dispersion of Z. rubidum within Europe. Also our findings regarding tolerance and even cooperation of Zodarion juveniles while hunting are worth mentioning.
In regard to spider taxonomy and faunistics, three species have been recorded for the first time from the Czech Republic and/or Slovakia, respectively, i.e. Orchestina pavesii (Oonopidae), Steatoda meridionalis (Theridiidae) and Yllenus vittatus (Salticidae). The material of the genera Zodarion and Dysdera collected in the Czech and Slovak Republics was revised, yielding among other results, two species new for Central Europe, i.e. Dysdera dubrovninnii and D. fervida.
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