Structure and distribution of enchytraeid communities from Mountain Changbaishan in China, with emphasis on the influence of environmental variables

Enchytraeids are an important group of soil animals, which plays a key role in many ecosystems. However, the ecological studies related to this group have not still been conducted in China. The effect of different forest types on community, and the influence of environmental variables on faunal distributional patterns were investigated in Changbaishan Mountain Natural Reserve (CMNR) in northeastern China. Altogether 30 enchytraeid species belonging to 8 genera were identified, among which, Fridericia was the species-richest group, followed by Henlea and Mesenchytraeus. Mesenchytraeus, Henlea, Fridericia and Bryodrilus were the numerically dominant genera. The most abundant species were Mesenchytraeus monodiverticulus, Mesenchytraeus megachaetus, Fridericia vixdiverticulata and Fridericia bretshceri. There were no significant differences in total enchytraeid richness and abundance across five forest types. However, significant differences were detected in major genera. Bryodrilus had higher species number and abundance in spruce-fir forests compared to other forest types. Fridericia spp. mainly occurred in hardwood forest, Henlea spp. in mixed forest, and Mesenchytraeus spp. in higher altitude regions. The depth of litter layer was strongly correlated with the faunal gradient revealed by canonical correspondence analysis. Other predictor variables were altitude, soil moisture and the content of potassium.

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► We probe the key environmental factors sharping enchytraeid structure in one best-preserved mountainous ecosystem.
► The high vegetation heterogenicity plays key roles on harbouring high diversity of this fauna.
► Cool-peferent taxa are much abundant.
► Environmental factors regulate both solely and/or jointly soil organisms biodiversity.
► The local environmental parameters more important than regional ones in this system.