Ecology, distribution and conservation of Vertigo species of European importance in Slovakia.

The purpose of this paper is to summarise up-to-date information on the ecology and distribution of Vertigo angustior, V. geyeri, and V. moulinsiana in Slovakia. V. moulinsiana is an inhabitant of both treeless calcareous-fens and calcium-rich sedge marshes situated in warm lowland regions. V. angustior occurs in various types of habitats (i.e. different types of calcium-rich wetlands, mainly treeless calcareous-fens). V. geyeri is an exlusive inhabitant of treeless fens and has a relatively broad ecological range along the gradient of calcium. It frequently lives in Sphagnum-fens at higher altitudes. V. angustior is the most common of these three species and more data on its occurrence are expected in the near future. The occurrence of V. geyeri and V. moulinsiana reflects their relict distribution in Slovakia, in particular in the northern part (V. geyeri) and southern and eastern part (V. moulinsiana). The recent conservation status of the species in Slovakia based on the categories and criteria of the IUCN (version 3.1, 2001) is as follows: V. angustior — Vulnerable, V. geyeri and V. moulinsiana — Endangered.