Diversity of minute tree-fungus beetles (Coleoptera: Ciidae) of primeval and managed beech forest of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve

Abstract

The study of factors that affect to the biodiversity of forest insects has not lost its relevance for several decades. As obligate fungicolous, minute tree-fungus beetles (Coleoptera, Ciidae) are one of the main destructors of saproxylic fungi. Since primeval forests are characterized by different age of tree stands and a large volume of dead wood of different stages of decomposition – the number of saproxylic fungi, and, as a consequence, minute tree-fungus beetles, show a high variety. In managed forests, selective felling and removal of dead wood is carried out, which leads to the loss of habitats and, as a consequence, to the impoverishment of the biodiversity of minute tree-fungus beetles. The fauna of minute tree-fungus beetles of primeval beech forest of the Uholsky massif of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve and managed 150-year-old beech forest from adjacent territories has been studied. According to the literature, at the beginning of our research the fauna of Ciidae were consisted 34 species of fauna of the Ukrainian Carpathians, and 11 species were known for the beech primeval forests of the Uholka Shyrokyi Luh preservation massif of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve (CBR). The material was collected with the combined window-type traps (polytrap) during the growing season 2017-2018. In general, 3302 specimens of minute tree-fungus beetles, belonging to 31 species from 8 genera, were collected and identified. For the first time for the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians were indicated such species: Cis rugulosus Mellie, 1848, Cis striatulus Mellie, 1848, Ennearthron pruinosulum (Perris in Abeille, 1864) and Rhopalodontus strandi Lohse, 1969. Taking into account our research and literature data, the faunal list of minute tree-fungus beetles for the Ukrainian Carpathians include 38 species. The species richness of beech primeval and 150-year-old managed forest is close in value, and the relative density of individuals in primeval forest is three times higher than its value in managed forest. Thus, 30 species from 8 genera (2442 individuals) have been identified for primeval beech; for managed beech forest – 28 species from 8 genera (860 specimens of minute tree-fungus beetles). Primeval beech forests are an important center for the diversity of minute tree-fungus beetles, because of the 38 species known from the Ukrainian Carpathians, 31 species have been registered in the Uholsky massif of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve.