Ground Beetle Fauna Research Articles

Hans Turin, D. Johan Kotze, Stefan Mueller-Kroehling, Pavel Saska, John Spence, and Theodor Heijerman: Ecology and conservation of the Dutch ground beetle fauna

Hans Turin, D. Johan Kotze, Stefan Mueller-Kroehling, Pavel Saska, John Spence, and Theodor Heijerman: Ecology and conservation of the Dutch ground beetle fauna

:Ecology and Conservation of the Dutch Ground Beetle Fauna: Lessons from 66 Years of Pitfall Trapping

Previous articleNext article No AccessZoologyEcology and Conservation of the Dutch Ground Beetle Fauna: Lessons from 66 Years of Pitfall Trapping. By Hans Turin, D. Johan Kotze, Stefan Müller-Kroehling, Pavel Saska, John Spence, and Theodoor Heijerman. Wageningen (The Netherlands): Wageningen Academic Publishers. $119.00. 451 p.; ill.; index. ISBN: 978-90-8686-369-3 (hc); 978-90-8686-921-3 (eb). 2022.Pietro BrandmayrPietro BrandmayrBiology, Ecology & Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUSFull Text Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Quarterly Review of Biology Volume 98, Number 2June 2023 Published in association with Stony Brook University Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/725267 For permission to reuse, please contact [email protected]PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Book review of ecology and conservation of the dutch ground beetle fauna – lessons from 66 years of pitfall trapping

Book review of ecology and conservation of the dutch ground beetle fauna – lessons from 66 years of pitfall trapping

Ecology and Conservation of the Dutch Ground Beetle Fauna - Lessons from 66 Years of Pitfall Trapping

Carl H. Lindroth was the first to present a comprehensive survey with his fundamental work on the Fennoscandian carabid beetles, covering all ecological aspects. The knowledge of the Dutch carabid beetle fauna is also exceptionally good what is especially thanks to Piet den Boer’s initiative and the work of his followers. Apart from the comprehensive book by Hans Turin (2000) on The Netherlands carabid beetles, I only see major publications on parts of a country or certain aspects, respectively, such as Trautner et al. (2017) on carabids of a German Federal State, Baden-Württemberg or Paill (2009) on endemic species in Austria. Turin et al. (1991) analysed the data bank on Dutch carabid beetles on the basis of 1.616 year samples from the period 1953-1983. The present book contains updated and extended analyses of the extraordinary huge data bank on Dutch carabid beetles of 4.363 pitfall trap year samples with more than 3 million specimens covering additionally the period 1984-2018.

Ecology and conservation of the Dutch ground beetle fauna – Lessons from 66 years of pitfall trapping

Ecology and conservation of the Dutch ground beetle fauna – Lessons from 66 years of pitfall trapping

Entwicklung der Laufkäferfauna (Coleoptera: Carabidae) einer Kurzumtriebsplantage über einen Zeitraum von 9 Jahren

In order to evaluate the importance of short-rotation coppice (SRC) as habitat for ground beetles, a SRC with stands of different tree species (poplar, willow, rowan) in the municipality of Schapen (NW-Germany) was investigated during several years and different rotation-phases using pitfall traps. Regardless of the plantation-age, the cultivated tree species and the rotation-phase, the ground beetle fauna of the surveyed SRC was dominated by widespread and common generalists. Species of conservation concern (exclusively xerothermophilic species) were found only sporadically and had their main occurrence in the two years following the establishment of the plantation. During this phase, Harpalus griseus, a rare and threatened species in Lower Saxony, was detected in large numbers. After 8 and 9 years respectively, species numbers as well as the number of specimens on the entire SRC and within its different stands were considerably lower than in the early establishment phase. The partial harvest of the poplar and willow stands caused a significant change in ground beetle communities and a strong increase in the activity of openland species. However, openland generalists were the main beneficiaries, while pioneer species like Harpalus griseus occurred only sporadically. Woodland species were found only rarely even in the 9th year after establishment. We conclude that the conservational value of SRC as habitat for ground beetles is generally limited, decreases with increasing plantation-age and that a mosaic of different tree stands, rotation-phases and headlands is not sufficient to promote pioneer species of conservation concern. In order to provide permanently suitable conditions for these species, additional measures extending beyond the regular management of the plantations are required. These should aim at the creation of sun-exposed ruderal habitats with a patchy herb layer and high proportions of bare ground within accompanying structures of SRC like headlands or rides.

New data about Bulgarian ground beetles from subfamilies Nebriinae, Carabinae and Cicindelinae (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Bulgarian ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) fauna is relatively well studied but there are still many species and regions in the country which are not well researched. The present study aims at complementing the data about the distribution of the carabids from the subfamilies Nebriinae, Carabinae and Cicindelinae, which contain some of the most attractive Palaearctic carabids. Currently, 13 species of Nebriini, ten species of Notiophilini, one species of Cychrini, 28 species of Carabini and 15 species of Cicindelini are known to occur in Bulgaria. The paper gives new information and new records on 37 carabid species and 25 zoogeographical regions in Bulgaria. Beetles are collected in the period from 1976 to 2021 by different collectors and sampling methods. Six species are recorded for the first time in different regions. Four species are reported for the second time in the regions where they have currently been collected. Fourteen species haven’t been reported for more than 20 years from the Middle and Western Stara Planina Mts, Western Bulgaria Region, Kraishte Region, Boboshevo-Simitli Valley, Vitosha Mts, Plana Mt, Lyulin Mts, Rila Mts and Pirin Mts.

Ground beetle fauna (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of Mordovia State Nature Reserve (Russia).

BackgroundProtected areas are organised in different climatic zones, which usually include typical ecosystems characteristic of certain climatic zones. In most cases, protected areas are biodiversity hotspots. These areas are benchmarks in terms of nature conservation and to determine their biological diversity is becoming an important task. It is important to investigate the carabid family of protected areas within the framework of understanding the overall biological diversity of these systems. In addition, ground beetles, as one of the largest groups of ground-based inhabitants, are indicators of the state of ecosystems and serve as markers of their well-being.New informationWe present 2,969 new occurrence records comprising 226 species of Carabidae, belonging to eight subfamilies, from the Mordovia State Nature Reserve (central Russia). Ten species are listed for the first time for the Mordovia State Nature Reserve fauna after previous research: Cicindelamaritima, Bembidionstriatum, Dyschiriusangustatus, Dyschiriusarenosus, Notiophilusaestuans, Bembidionargenteolum, Bembidionvelox, Bradycelluscaucasicus, Cymindisangularis and Syntomustruncatellus, five of which were first recorded for the Republic of Mordovia (Egorov et al. 2020). Previously, this information was not published anywhere and we wanted to make it available to everyone by embedding it in the global database on biodiversity (GBIF).

New and unpublished data about Bulgarian ground beetles from the tribes Pterostichini, Sphodrini and Platynini (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Bulgarian ground beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) fauna is relatively well studied but there are still many species and regions in the country which are not well researched. The present study aims at complementing the data about the distribution of the carabids from the tribes Pterostichini, Sphodrini, and Platynini, containing many diverse, interesting, and endemic species. It gives new records for 67 species and 23 zoogeographical regions in Bulgaria. The material was collected in the period from 1926 to 2021 through different sampling methods. Twenty-three species are recorded for the first time in different regions. Six species are reported for the second time in the regions where they were currently collected. Thirty-one species have not been reported for more than 20 years in Eastern and Middle Stara Planina Mts., Kraishte region, Boboshevo-Simitli valley, Sandanski-Petrich valley, Lyulin Mts., Vitosha Mts., Rila Mts., Pirin Mts., Slavyanka Mts., Thracian Lowland, and Sakar-Tundzha region. New altitude ranges are established for six of the species. The results contribute to the knowledge of the Bulgarian carabid fauna. Currently, 56 species of Pterostichini, 23 species of Sphodrini, and 36 species of Platynini are known from Bulgaria.

Promotion of ground beetles by integrating perennial energy crops into existing agricultural landscapes

Perennial energy crops as an alternative to maize (Zea mays L.) have the potential to promote biodiversity and associated ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. Ground beetle (Carabidae) assemblages of cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.), Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita L.) and tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum Podp.) were assessed in four replicated field trials in Bavaria and compared to an annual crop rotation (winter rye (Secale cereale L.)), maize, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)). Additionally ground beetle fauna in cup plant was compared to that in maize on fields under real farm conditions at six sites in Bavaria with widely diverging soil–climate conditions. Ground beetles were collected in pitfall traps in winter (one field trial), spring (four field trials) and summer (six fields) in 2017.Overall, results for activity density and species richness of ground beetles under perennials compared to annuals were site-specific and there were no pronounced differences of species compositions.The highest activity density of seed-eating ground beetles occurred in Virginia mallow, which was invaded by weeds. Some indication of benefits for hibernation and larval development in cup plant were found. Tall wheat-grass had the lowest ground beetle diversity and activity density of all crops. Species accumulation curves on farmed fields in summer indicated higher species richness of ground beetle fauna in cup plant than in maize. Diversification of cultivated plants with perennial energy crops can provide additional niches for ground beetles, such as undisturbed soil. Effects, however, varied with site and species/genus in a complex manner.

Ground beetle fauna in the Shonan Hiratsuka campus of the Kanagawa University: a comparison between the current fauna and fauna before campus construction

Ground beetle fauna in the Shonan Hiratsuka campus of the Kanagawa University: a comparison between the current fauna and fauna before campus construction

The ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of the Karatepa and Chakilkalyan mountains (west part of Zarafshan Mountains Range, Uzbekistan)

Ground beetles (Carabidae) are one the most numerous and well-studied families of Coleoptera. However, the study of the biodiversity of these beetles in Uzbekistan lags far behind other Central Asian countries. This research was carried out during 2018–2019 in two areas in the west part of the Zarafshan Mountain Range – in the Chakilkalyan and Karatepa mountains. In total, 49 species of ground beetles belonging to 31 genera, 16 tribes and 8 subfamilies were recorded. The most representative was the subfamily Harpalinae (32 species from 20 genera, 65.3%). By the number of individuals, representatives of Harpalinae made up 85.6% of all collected ground beetles. The Trechinae subfamily included five species from three genera (10.2%), the Scaritinae subfamily – four species from two genera (8.2%), the Carabinae subfamily – three species from two genera (6.1%), the Broscinae subfamily – two species from the same genus (4.1%). The subfamilies Brachininae, Cicindelinae and Nebriinae are represented by one species (2.0% each). In the Karatepa Mountains, 34 species from 23 genera were identified, and in the Chakilkalyan Mountains, 34 species from 21 genera. 19 species of ground beetles were common to the two mountains. The fauna of ground beetles in these mountains differed significantly in the composition of the dominant species. In the Karatepa Mountains, the dominant species were Zabrus morio, Eocarterus chodshenticus, Amara aenea, and Acinopus laevigatus, and the subdominant ones were Brachinus explodens, Calathus ambiguus, and Poecilus longiventris. In the Chakilkalyan Mountains, Anchomenus dorsalis, Harpalus rufipes, and Chlaenius extensus are dominant, while Amara aenea, Harpalus distinguendus, Dolichus halensis turned out to be subdominant. However, the composition of dominant species varied at different sites. The rarest species were Anisodactylus binotatus, Cymindis andreae, Taphoxenus goliath, Calosoma sycophanta, Scarites subcylindricus, Chilotomusus gentensis, Calathus peltatus and Broscus punctatus. Different areas of both mountains differed significantly in the diversity of ground beetle fauna. In both mountains, the lowest diversity was noted at the highest altitude areas. In four areas of the Karatepa Mountains, the average value of the Zhakar and Chekanovsky-Sørensen indices was 0.27 and 0.11, and in five areas of the Chakilkalyan Mountains – 0.24 and 0.25. And the similarities between the communities of the two mountains were also insignificant (0.39 and 0.11).

Effects of under-story Sasa removal and bamboo felling on the ground-beetle fauna in secondary forests in Tama Hills, in Japan

In secondary forests that have been abandoned, clear-cutting bamboo and thinning increase the species diversity of forest floor plants. However, the effects on ground beetles have not been sufficiently studied. In this study, we set up survey traps at four areas: Sasa (Pleioblastus chino) mowing area, Sasa standing area, bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) clear-cutting area, and bamboo standing area in Tama hill, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. A total of 80 traps were set up to capture ground beetles: 10 traps in each area with two replicates. The number of species was greater in the case of management in the Sasa mowing area and bamboo clear-cutting area than in the case of no management in the Sasa standing area and bamboo standing area. In particular, the number of ground beetles was higher in the Sasa mowing area than in the Sasa standing area, bamboo clear-cutting area, and bamboo standing area. The ground beetles belonging to Pterididae were the most common, and the most common species were Carabus insulicola, Synuchus cycloderu, and Pterostichus yoritomus. In particular, C. insulicola comprised over 90% of the total ground beetles collected from the Sasa mowing area, suggesting that this beetle can be used as an indicator of biodiversity in an abandoned secondary forest.

The Main Stages in the Formation of the Ground Beetle Fauna (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of the Sikhote-Alin, with Endemics Taken as an Example. 1. Characteristics of Taxa

Data on the taxonomic composition, distribution, ecology, and phylogenetic relationships of 35 species and 20 subspecies of Carabidae endemic to the Sikhote-Alin Mountains are given. Of the 32 tribes and 94 genera of ground beetles recorded from the Sikhote-Alin, only 7 tribes and 11 genera contain endemics. The greatest number of endemics is found in the tribes Pterostichini (15 species and 9 subspecies), Trechini (10 species and 5 subspecies), Carabini (6 subspecies), and Nebriini (4 species). The tribes Platynini, Zabrini, and Lebiini have 2 endemic species each in the Sikhote-Alin fauna. Of the 11 genera containing the Sikhote-Alin endemics, Pterostichus Bonelli, 1810 comprises 15 species and 9 subspecies, Trechus Clairville, 1806 has 6 species and 5 subspecies, and Carabus Linnaeus, 1758 has 6 subspecies. The remaining 8 genera together include 14 endemic species: 6 of them have 2 endemic species each in the Sikhote-Alin fauna, and 2 genera have 1 endemic species each.

The Main Stages in the Formation of the Ground Beetle Fauna (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of the Sikhote-Alin, with Endemics Taken as an Example. 2. An Analysis of Distributions

The Main Stages in the Formation of the Ground Beetle Fauna (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of the Sikhote-Alin, with Endemics Taken as an Example. 2. An Analysis of Distributions

Carabid beetles in a regional and a country-wide elevation gradient of Bavarian forests: differences and thoughts on the value of false time series approaches

We studied the effects of global warming and rising temperatures on the ground beetle fauna of Bavarian beech forests using the space for time approach (false time series), and did so in two projects, at two geographical scales: firstly, a Bavarian-wide gradient of 50 plots in beech forests, and second a regional gradient in the Bavarian Forest in the mountains in eastern Bavaria consisting of 48 plots, which was not restricted to beech forests but also included subalpine spruce forests. For purposes of validation, we used as a backdrop data from 413 additional plots all across Bavaria from a wide range of forest habitats. We found five species that would be favoured and six species that would be disadvantaged by rising temperatures in beech forests. For another five species the conditions within the gradient studied reach both their minimum and their maximum temperatures. As a consequence of increasing temperatures there will be winners and losers in these forests and the species composition of ground beetle communities will change. Approximately the same number of species is likely to profit as will be affected negatively. However, when considering the “global responsibility species” for Germany, the balance is negative. It is imporant to note that species may react differently in different habitats and at different regional scales. Some species migtht be more endangered in a local gradient than in a regional gradient, and vice versa, and examples are provided for this. Climate effects proven for a certain habitat must not be the same for other habitats even within the same region if these were not included in the study design. These limitations must be taken into consideration when applying the results of such studies and especially when generalizing them. The benefits of a true time series compared to the popular "false time serices" provided by an elevational gradient are also highlighted using some examples.

Red deer structure the ground-dwelling beetle community in boreal forest

Changes in large herbivore distribution and abundance can have effects that potentially cascade throughout the trophic structure of an ecosystem. Little is known about these indirect trophic effects of ungulate herbivory, so the aim of this study was to investigate the role of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in determining the distribution and diversity of ground-dwelling beetles. We collected > 9000 beetles belonging to 149 species in a Western Norway boreal forest by pitfall trapping inside and outside red-deer exclosures placed along a gradient in herbivory intensity. Our study showed that red deer herbivory had a significant effect on structuring ground beetle communities in this boreal ecosystem. Key findings were that: (1) out of 17 beetle species represented by more than 100 specimens, four species benefited from red deer herbivory and associated impacts, while two were detrimentally affected; 2) red deer herbivory did not affect beetle abundance or alpha diversity, but increased local variation in beetle community structure (higher beta diversity); and 3) red deer browsing is important for the composition of the ground-beetle fauna. Herbivory improved the explanation of variation in beetle species composition on the forest floor by 40%. Given that herbivory is an indirect but central predictor of ground-dwelling beetle communities, it should be included in future studies or monitoring programs of red listed or keystone ground-dwelling beetles.

On a collection of Carabidae from Timor Leste, with descriptions of nine new species (Insecta: Coleoptera, Carabidae)

The ground beetle (Carabidae) fauna of Timor is reviewed based on recent collecting by the Australian Museum, in Timor Leste. 53 species were collected, of which the following nine species are described as new: Mecyclothorax timorensis sp. nov. Baehr; M. reidi sp. nov. Baehr; Rhytisternus externus sp. nov. Baehr; Arhytinus timorensis sp. nov. Baehr; Notagonum reidi sp. nov. Baehr; N. angusticolle sp. nov. Baehr; Perigona timorensis sp. nov. Baehr; Aristolebia timorensis sp. nov. Baehr; Lebia timorensis sp. nov. Baehr The new species are compa red with their nearest relatives. The remaining material is identified to species, or at least to genus, and discussed according to the current classification of Carabidae. Several species and genera are newly recorded for Timor. In spite of the rather small number of species contained, the sample allows some insight into the relations of the Carabid fauna of Timor to the Oriental and Australopapuan Regions, with about two thirds of the species belonging to the Oriental fauna, and one third to the Australopapuan fauna. A few species also belong to subgroups that are restricted to the southeasternmost Oriental Region “Wallacea”—Sulawesi, and the Maluku, Aru and Kei Islands.

The ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of the Strandzha Mountain and adjacent coastal territories (Bulgaria and Turkey).

BackgroundThe knowledge of the ground-beetle fauna of Strandzha is currently incomplete, and is largely based on data from the Bulgarian part of the region and on records resulting from casual collecting. This study represents a critical revision of the available literature, museum collections and a three years field study of the carabid beetles of the Bulgarian and Turkish parts of Strandzha Mountain and the adjacent Black Sea Coast territories.New informationA total of 328 species and subspecies of Carabidae, belonging to 327 species from the region of Strandzha Mountain and adjacent seacoast area, have been listed. Of these, 77 taxa represent new records for the Bulgarian part of the region, and 110 taxa new records for Turkish part of the studied region.Two taxa, one subgenus (Haptotapinus Reitter, 1886) and one species (Pterostichus crassiusculus), are new to the fauna of Bulgaria. Based on a misidentification, the species Apotomus testaceus is excluded from the list of the Bulgarian fauna. Seven species (Carabus violaceus azurescens, Apotomus rufus, Platynus proximus, Molops alpestris kalofericus, M. dilatatus angulicollis, Pterostichus merklii, and Calathus metallicus) are treated as doubtful for the regional fauna, and one (Apotomus rufus) also for the Bulgarian fauna.Altogether, 43 taxa collected in the Turkish part of the region are new for European Turkey. New taxa for Turkey are the genera Myas and Oxypselaphus, the subgenus Feronidius, and nine species and subspecies (Carabus granulatus granulatus, Dyschirius tristis, Bembidion normannum apfelbecki, B. subcostatum vau, Acupalpus exiguus, Myas chalybaeus, Oxypselaphus obscurus, Pterostichus leonisi, Pt. melas). In addition, there are a further seven species that are here confirmed for Turkey.

Endogaeic ground beetles fauna in oilseed rape field in Croatia

The abundance of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in oilseed rape field can be an important indicator of different agricultural measures in arable land fauna. Surveys about ground beetle fauna in Croatia are generally very scarce and only few research on oilseed rape were conducted. The aim of this study was to determine the endogaeic ground beetle fauna in oilseed rape field and to determine species abundance and frequency. The study was carried out in Podravina region of Croatia, from the end of May till the mid-September in 2015. Ground beetles were collected using endogaeic traps incorporated in the soil. Altogether, 487 individuals classified into 8 species were collected. Species with the highest abundance and frequency was Brachinus (Brachinus) psophia Audinet-Serville, 1821, which was classified as eudominant and constant species. The highest ground beetle abundance was observed in summer period. All of the species found were spring breeders, except for species Trechus (Trechus) quadristriatus (Schrank, 1781) which breeds in autumn.