Biotopic Features Change the Size of Carabus Odoratus Shil

Abstract

Body size variation attracts attention of many researchers in different fields because of its importance in organisms functioning. We sampled ground beetles of mountain species Carabus odoratus in different biotopes of Barguzinskiy Ridge (northeast part of Baikal Lake; N 54° 20’; E 109° 30’; Russia). Nine biotopes at different elevation were under the study. We measured sampled beetles for six morphometric traits (elytra, pronotum, head lengths and width). In total 984 specimens were measured individually. Length parameters varied to greater extent in C. odoratus. Elytra length and pronotum and head length as well were significantly shorter in beetles dwelling in aspen, fir, tundra, health and park birch if compared with ones in forestry habitats. Wherein width parameters were, roughly speaking, similar in beetles of all studied biotopes. Undoubtedly observed effect of biotope impact on beetles’ size variation was connected with differing environmental factors at the certain elevations.