Abstract
The paper summarizes the results of recent malacological research in the Koda National Nature Reserve (abbreviated as NNR) near Srbsko (Czech Republic, Central Bohemia, Česky kras/Bohemian Karst Protected Landscape Area). A total of 78 mollusc species (1 bivalve, 4 freshwater snails, and 73 terrestrial gastropods) were recorded at 51 sites as a result of recent malacological research (2006-2010), combined with earlier mostly unpublished data.
Rich mollusc communities representing 32% of the total Czech malacofauna and comprising endangered species (34% of all recorded species) occur especially in humid parts of woodlands, rocks and rocky steppes within a relatively small-sized area (464 ha). Common forest species dominate in the reserve (46% of all recorded species) in association with some more local woodland species as Daudebardia rufa, Oxychilus depressus, Vitrea diaphana and Cochlodina orthostoma.
Vulnerable neoendemic microspecies Bulgarica nitidosa and both epilithic calciphiles Pyramidula pusilla and Chondrina avenacea are confined to rocky habitats. Occasionally, a few well-preserved shells of the endangered declining species Helicopsis striata were collected on the steppe brow of the Koda plateau in 1942MINUS SIGN 2008, but currently no living specimens were found.
From the malacological point of view the Koda NNR seems to be a hot spot of malacodiversity, because of its species richness and natural assemblages composition, particularly in comparison with well-preserved nature reserves in the mountain boundary regions with sparse settlement, although situated within the reach of the capital of the Czech Republic.