Spirostreptid millipedes (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida) of urban and peri-urban habitats in Zimbabwe

摘要

A survey of spirostreptids was conducted in and around Harare, Gweru and Mutare to determine and compare relative abundance, dominance structure and species similarity between urban and peri-urban habitats. Millipede diversity and abundance were the greatest in peri-urban habitats. All the three families of the order Spirostreptida were recorded in the three regions. Urban habitats were dominated by a few species that also occurred in peri-urban habitats in larger numbers. Dora-togonus uncinatus wasthe most dominant species in all the habitats except in Gweru where a Harpagophorid, Zino-phora munda was dominant. Species Similarity Indices were mainly below 0.50 suggesting a negative effect of habitat disturbance on millipede species richness. The results also show a shift in species dominance, Chaleponcus sp. and D. uncinatus increased significantly in disturbed habitats. This suggests that some species are more adaptable and less sensitive to habitat change than others.