On distribution patterns of very rare Chilopoda and Diplopoda in Germany

During the last years the Working Group of German Speaking Myriapodologists accomplished a survey on German Chilopoda and Diplopoda. As one result of all compiled distribution data, 77 very rare (= not more than 30 occurrences at distinctive locations since 1990) native species could be identified. These rare species (14 chilopods, 63 diplopods) show four different general distribution types in terms of the distribution area in Germany and the entire distribution area: endemics (7), local in Germany/local in general (30 species), local in Germany/wide spread in general (27 species) and wide spread but patchy in Germany/wide spread in general (13 species). More than half (58%) of rare species are restricted to Southern Germany, a myriapod diversity hot spot in Germany. Other rare species are restricted to Eastern Germany and only a few species to Western Germany.