Aim

We analysed the variation of species richness in the European freshwater fauna

across latitude. In particular, we compared latitudinal patterns in species richness

and

ß

-diversity among species adapted to different habitat types.

Location

Europe.

Methods

We compiled data on occurrence for 14,020 animal species across 25

pre-defined biogeographical regions of European freshwaters from the

Limnofauna

Europaea

. Furthermore, we extracted information on the habitat preferences of

species. We assigned species to three habitat types: species adapted to groundwater,

lotic (running water) and lentic (standing water) habitats. We analysed latitudinal

patterns of species richness, the proportion of lentic species and

ß

-diversity.

Results

Only lentic species showed a significant species-area relationship. We

found a monotonic decline of species richness with latitude for groundwater and

lotic habitats, but a hump-shaped relationship for lentic habitats. The proportion of

lentic species increased from southern to northern latitudes.

ß

-Diversity declined

from groundwater to lentic habitats and from southern to northern latitudes.

Main conclusions

The differences in the latitudinal variation of species richness

among species adapted to different habitat types are in part due to differences in the

propensity for dispersal. Since lentic habitats are less persistent than lotic or groundwater

habitats, lentic species evolved more efficient strategies for dispersal. The

dispersal propensity of lentic species facilitated the recolonization of central Europe

after the last glaciation. Overall, we stress the importance of considering the history

of regions and lineages as well as the ecological traits of species for understanding

patterns of biodiversity.