Preliminary study of the terrestrial gastropods diversity (Gastropoda: Stylomatophora) from Cefa Nature Park (NW of Romania)

The paper presents the first investigation over the terrestrial gastropods fauna from Cefa Nature Park (NW of Romania). The samples were collected every month (April 2009 - March 2010), using hand collection, soil collection from 25x25 cm squares which were processed in the laboratory through sieving as well as installation of Barber traps. On the whole, 22 species were determined (without slugs), of which dominant were the Holarctic species (31.82%), followed by the European elements (27.27%). The identified species belong to the following categories: mesophilous, hydrophilous and mesohydrophilous, with close percentages (27.27 % – 31.82 %). The least of the elements are those of mesoxerophilous (13.64%). The dams habitat between fishponds supports the largest diversity of terrestrial gastropods (21 species), followed by the forest one (9 species) and finally the grasslands one (5 species). The species with the highest frequency (100%) met during every month of investigations, was Vallonia pulchella, for the dams habitat between fishponds. All these results argues once more the importance and the need to protect these artificial habitats (like the dams between fishponds), which often undergo large anthrop pressures resulting from the piscicultural management (repeated setting on fire in order to stop the expansion of reed surfaces). It is also necessary to continue to investigate the gastropods fauna both in Cefa Nature Park, and in the protected area to which this park has common border and habitat (K r s-Maros National Park – Hungary).