Millipedes (Diplopoda) in Pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca Pall.) nests in southern Karelia, northwestern Russia

Abstract

. Only few millipede species were encountered in 2016 and 2021 in Pied flycatcher nests inside nest boxes set at a field station (60°46 ′ N, 32°48 ′ E) located within the subzone of middle taiga in Karelia, Russia. More species (5 vs 3) and higher abundance levels (123 vs 86) were observed in the cooler and rainy 2016 compared to the warmer and drier 2021, with the incidence of occurrence varying between ca 74% and ca 66%, respectively. The nests were dominated by Ommatoiulus sabulosus , while Leptoiulus proximus subdominated, during both years of monitoring. Together with the remaining few species of Diplopoda encountered in Pied flycatcher nests there, they can only be considered as purely opportunitic nidicoles. No obligate nidicoly in Karelian Diplopoda could be suggested, facultative nidicoly being common instead.