Ecological and geographical features of the true bugs (Heteroptera) fauna of the Japanese elm communities in the lower reaches of the Selenga River

Abstract

Japanese elm (Ulmus japonica Rehder) grows in the Baikal Region in the lower reaches of the Selenga River and forms refugia of nemoral biota where many rare and relict species of plants, fungi, bryophytes, lichens and invertebrate animals are found. Refugia of nemoral biota represent an important object to study environmental conditions of the Baikal Region in the past geologic epochs, as they are slightly changing ecosystems. Comprehensive research of elm communities, including qualitative and quantitative studies of insects, is required to fully understand functioning of these refugia and develop measures for their protection. The study summarizes data on 29 true bug species of 24 genera and 10 families, which inhabit closely in the Japanese elm communities. Polyphytophagous species prevalent in the investigated fauna, mixotrophic species also make significant contribution. Carnivores and species with more specific nutritional adaptation are significantly less numerous. As for distribution pattern, species with Trans-Eurasian and Trans-Palaearctic ranges prevail, individual species have Siberian-Far-Eastern and European-Siberian ranges. Species diversity of true bugs is significantly lower in the depths of dense elm forests than at the edges of the communities, especially in place of contact with open habitats. Some Heteroptera species which are typical of the genus Ulmus and live on a different species (U. pumila) in the Baikal Siberia, are not found on the Japanese elm, which confirms distinctness of these communities.