ECOLOGICAL AND FAUNISTIC CHARACTERISTICS AND ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF COLEOPTERA AND SCARABAEIDAE OF INTRAMONTANE DAGESTAN

Abstract

Aim. The article presents the findings of the study on fauna, biotopic distribution and zoogeographical analysis of scarabaeidae family of intramontane Dagestan. Methodology. The study of the fauna of scarabaeidae family has been conducted using a variety of methods designed for the field study of entomofauna. To study the biotope distribution we have used samples collected by the methods of soil sampling, pitfall traps and linear accounting. Findings and discussion. Intramontane Dagestan is a kind of an interesting area, which scientists believe is the primary center for the development and spread of xerophilous flora in the Caucasus. Since 1991 Intramontane Dagestan has been considered as a special botanical-geographical province. It occupies the central and western part of the country and widely extends deep into the mountains. According to geobotanical zoning of Dagestan, the studied area belongs to meadow, steppe and upland-xerophilous vegetation areas of Dagestan. In all types of vegetation xerophytic traits are expressed; among meadows significant place is occupied by steppified varieties and among steppes by dry grain and forb-grain varieties. Conclusion. The study has revealed 55 species of scarabaeidae belonging to 28 genera. The study of their biotopic distribution has made it possible to distinguish several groups of species in relation to water conditions. This species are confined exclusively to the mesophytic habitats (mesophiles); species prevailing in mesophytic habitats, but often found in dry habitats (mesoxerophiles); the inhabitants of the natural biotopes, which, however, use areas or seasons of greatest moisture (xerobionts); species confined exclusively to xerophytic habitats, in particular, to the arid slopes (xerophile), as well as species with high ecological valence which populate a variety of habitats (eurybionts). Research on the habitats of the studied species has made it possible to distinguish 14 zoogeographical complexes, which are dominated by the Mediterranean species of origin.