Lucanus Cervus Research Articles

Fight or flight alternative mating tactics may explain the iconic male polymorphism of the European stag beetle

The existence of different male morphologies within a single species is associated with alternative mating tactics across different animal groups, offering textbook examples of evolutionary biology. The European stag beetle Lucanus cervus is a flagship species which has long fascinated naturalists for its charismatic appearance and behavior, with males possessing large mandibles used in ritualized ground fights for females. Males are polymorphic, with larger males possessing disproportionately larger mandibles and being better fighters, while smaller males require less food to develop and may have better chances to escape predation. We discovered an alternative mating tactic that opens a new interpretation on the evolution of the smaller males, based on aggregations of flying males competing to catch flying females in mid-air. Flight aggregations occur earlier in the season and in sites with sparser canopy cover as compared to ground fight aggregations, but most importantly, smaller males tend to prevail due to their greater agility in flight. Competition between males is crucial for reproductive success in this species, and alternative mating tactics involving flight were unknown in beetles, advocating for further research on the ecology and evolution of the iconic male polymorphism of stag beetles.

Genetic diversity and population structure of the endangered saproxylic beetle L. cervus in a fragmented landscape

Abstract Despite the significance of saproxylic beetle species for ecosystems, the investigation of fine‐scale population genetics within the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, remains notably limited. Because of their limited dispersal distances and habitat fragmentation, high genetic structure and low genetic diversity are expected in its populations. To evaluate the impact of habitat fragmentation on genetic diversity and structure, we examined 150 specimens of L. cervus from three sites in western Poland: two forest stands and one stand located in an Oak avenue. We utilised 19 microsatellite DNA loci for this examination. Results of neighbour‐joining analysis and principal coordinates analysis, values of differentiation indexes (G'ST, D(Jost) and FST) and rare/private allele frequencies indicated weak genetic differentiation among individuals collected from the tree sites. A spatial component to the genetic structure was identified through STRUCTURE (LOCPRIOR), isolation by distance tests and spatial autocorrelation analysis. The genetic diversity remained relatively high (HE: 0.49–0.51), with no inbreeding observed and no significant differences in mean relatedness among individuals from sampling sites. Limited genetic differentiation between the individuals of L. cervus from the investigated sites may result from a lag time since fragment isolation, unrestricted gene flow and marker/sample size limitations. Though weak, the significant differentiation between two of the sites may be linked to environmental differences and distance. Genetic data support treating individuals from forests as a single management unit. Non‐invasive sampling suffices for genetic studies, but achieving balanced sampling is crucial for precise historical demography estimates of endangered species.

Novel pheromone-mediated reproductive behaviour in the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus

The iconic European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) is one of the largest terrestrial beetles in Europe. Due to decreasing population numbers, thought to be a consequence of habitat loss, this beetle has become a near-threatened species across much of Europe, and a reliable monitoring system is required to measure its future population trends. As part of a programme aimed at conserving UK populations, we have investigated the chemical ecology of the beetle, with a view to developing an efficient semiochemical-based monitoring system. Such a scheme will be beneficial not only in the UK but across the European range of the species, where the beetle is of conservation concern. Here, we report on a surprising discovery of a male-produced pheromone, which provokes initial sexual receptivity in females, and which has not been previously identified in the animal kingdom. Furthermore, we assign sex pheromone function to a previously described female-specific compound.

People’s perceptions and willingness to pay to protect saproxylic species in Alpine production forests

Saproxylic species are the species dependent on the presence of standing dead trees and deadwood in forests. European forests managed for timber production are generally characterized by a lack of tree microhabitats and deadwood that could compromise the survival of saproxylic species. Many studies investigated the positive impacts of integrated forest management strategies (e.g., the realization of veteran tree islands) from an ecological perspective. At the same time, there is a gap concerning the socio-economic perspective. To partially fill this gap, this study investigates people's perceptions and willingness to pay (WTP) to increase the number of specimens of three saproxylic species (Black woodpecker, Western barbastelle, and European stag beetle) in Alpine production forests. An online survey was administered to a sample of 306 Italian people by posting the link on some social network pages. A Discrete Choice Experiment was implemented to estimate people's perceptions and WTP to increase the number of the three saproxylic species. The results show that the average individual WTP for Black woodpecker is €2.80 for a medium and €3.79 for a high level of specimens. At the same time, for the other two species, non-significant (Western barbastelle) or significant but negative (European stag beetle) preferences were found. This study pointed out that positive emotions and perceptions towards the species are key variables to understanding the individual WTP. This study's results may support Alpine forest managers in defining conservation strategies for saproxylic species based on citizens’ WTP.

Phenology, sex-ratio and protandry in three stag beetle species (Lucanidae) from central Italy

ABSTRACT This study examines the annual activity patterns and variation in sex ratios across different months of the year for three Lucanidae species (Lucanus cervus, Lucanus tetraodon and Dorcus parallelipipedus) in three distinct regions of central Italy. The results reveal significant differences in the month-by-month activity patterns among the species, indicating that each species has its own unique activity pattern. Specifically, L. cervus shows activity from May to September, with the highest peak between 10 and 30 June. This species remains significantly active until the end of July. Lucanus tetraodon, on the other hand, exhibits activity from June to August, with a notable peak during the last 10 days of July. Dorcus parallelipipedus displays an extended activity phase, with peaks in the first 20 days of June and the middle of July. Interestingly, various individuals of this species were also observed in November, December and February. The prolonged activity pattern of D. parallelipipedus is primarily due to overwintering adults and overlapping generations. Both Lucanus species demonstrate clear protandry, where males dominate in the initial phase, followed by a more balanced sex ratio and even female dominance in the subsequent phase. In D. parallelipipedus, the trend in sex ratio is less apparent, likely because of overlapping generations and the survival of adults for 2–3 years. The different activity patterns observed between Lucanus species can be attributed to (1) their distinct geographical distributions, with one species better adapted to temperate climates and initiating activity earlier than the strictly Mediterranean species, and (2) a possible division of temporal niches to minimise reproductive interference, reducing the chances of interspecies encounters and cross-mating.

Genetic diversity of the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus (Insecta, Coleoptera) in Romania based on ND1 mitochondrial sequences

Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the largest Coleoptera species in Europe and one of the most recognizable. It is a saproxylic species living in woodlands and wooded urban habitats and spending its larval stages inside tree trunks below or near soil level, feeding on decaying wood. The stag beetle has a wide distribution covering the entire Europe up to the Ural Mountains. In this paper, we attempted to describe the diversity and genetic structure of L. cervus populations in Romania using the NADH mitochondrial molecular marker. We identified 36 haplotypes arranged in a star-shaped structure with a central haplotype shared by many samples and linked by one or two mutational steps with other 35, represented by 1–3 samples. This pattern is frequently attributed to populations that have undergone recent range expansion, a phenomenon which is also sustained by the mismatch analysis. The analyzed populations revealed various degrees of genetic diversity. Many populations with relatively high levels of genetic diversity were found outside the Natura 2000 Network Special Areas of Conservation, while some populations included in protected areas proved to have low values of genetic variability. This underlines the need to review the designated protection sites for this species in Romania.

A multidimensional study on population size, deadwood relationship and allometric variation of Lucanus cervus through citizen science

Abstract The European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, is the largest saproxylic beetle and a flagship species whose populations should be monitored according to the EU Habitats Directive. Different studies have addressed its abundance and phenology, its relationship with deadwood, or the allometry of males related to different reproductive strategies. While monitoring efforts are complicated by the limited phenological window of adults (active at dusk during a few weeks), different innovative strategies have been tested in the last few years, with a promising role of citizen science. We tested the possibility of characterising key dimensions of a L. cervus population of an Italian Natural Park by involving a network of citizen scientists in a two‐week sampling campaign along standardised sampling transects, using a capture‐mark‐recapture (CMR) approach. We investigated its relationship with deadwood at different sites, estimated population size with a Bayesian analysis and characterised the allometric variation by assembling a dataset of morphological traits. With the participation of 41 volunteers, we collected and measured 651 individuals along four sampling transects. Our analyses uncovered a large L. cervus population (estimated to consist of almost 3400 individuals), characterising its relationship with deadwood availability in different areas, and the absence of the expected male allometry. Our results suggest that even a woodland composed by relatively young trees can host a large L. cervus populations if cut deadwood of suitable size is available. The engagement of volunteers, to which the results were presented, proved crucial to cost‐efficiently study different key ecological aspects of an insect species with a short phenology.

The Design of a New 3D Print-in-place Soft Four-Legged Robots with Artificial Intelligence

Soft and flexible robots are designed to change their flexibility over a wide range to perform tasks adequately in real-world applications. Current soft robots require cast moulding, high assembly effort and large actuators. Soft origami structures exhibit high levels of compliance. In this paper, we designed a new 3D print-in-place soft four-legged robot (3DSOLR). Our soft legged robot is an endurance application adapted from the soft origami zigzag gripper. This novel and innovative design are inspired by the rigid joint Theo Jansen legged robot with highly adaptive 3D print-in-place soft origami legs capable of fluid motion and even surviving drop tests. The robot mechanism consists of four soft origami flexible legs driven by two DC motors. The 3DSOLR is lightweight and semi-autonomous using two Hall effect sensors and a wireless Bluetooth module. Being 3D print-in-place using Thermoplastic polyurethane also increases its durability while having flexibility, simplicity and safety. The robot also has a gripper inspired by the mandible of male European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus). These features make this robot suitable to be used in social robotics and rescue robotics applications. The transmitter program is implemented in Bluetooth serial communication using MIT App Inventor 2 smartphone apps and a microcontroller Arduino ATMEL is used as the main controller and code in Arduino IDE. It has artificial intelligence (AI) capability with ESP32 CAM onboard which has an object classification accuracy of 95.5% using custom Edge Impulse neural network MobileNetV1 96 x 96. This AI capability enhanced the robot’s capability in object classification for grasping.

Saproxylic coleopterans from the reserve „Pădurea Domnească”

The paper presents the results of the research carried out on the saproxylic coleoptera species from the Pădurea Domnească Reserve. Coleoptera species were collected using 2 methods: the manual and trunk trap. Manually 40 species from 35 genera and 18 families were collected, and by the trunk trap method allowed to identify 24 species from 23 genera and 14 families. Three species were common, colleted by both methods. As a result of investigation a total of 61 species were revealed in the reserve, between them three species - Lopheros rubens (Gyllenhal, 1817), Megatoma undata (Linnaeus, 1758) and Axinotarsus ruficollis (Olivier, 1790) were identified as new for the fauna of the Republic of Moldova and other 4 species Aromia moschata (Linnaeus, 1758), Cucujus cinnaberinus (Scopoli, 1763), Morimus funereus (Mulsant, 1863) and Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1785) are rare, included in the Red Book of the Republic of Moldova.

Thermal effect on larval development of the European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus

Conservation of the threatened and protected European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) mainly focuses on the availability of dead wood as larval habitat. However, as the larval ecology of this species remains poorly studied, less attention has been given to other habitat requirements such as ambient temperatures for the development of the larvae. To design proper guidelines for the preservation of this iconic species, the growth of stag beetle larvae is compared between outdoor containers under a warm sunny and those in a cold shady treatment. Populations originated from the Veluwe (Netherlands) and Colchester (United Kingdom). The shady microclimate led to lower temperatures, which resulted in higher larval weights before molting and an additional year to complete larval development for a part of the population. However, weights were lower than in the warm microclimate when comparing larvae from the same age. This is explained by the longer development time for the different stages. Finally, we found higher larval weights for larvae originating from the Veluwe (Netherlands) compared with larvae from Colchester (UK). We conclude that larvae of L. cervus can cope with shady, colder microclimates. Larval development time in general takes two to three years and depends on temperature. Larvae grow mainly in the warm season while weight remains constant, or even decreases, during the cold season with an approximate threshold between 10 to 15 C.

INVERTEBRATES OF CONSERVATIVE INTEREST FROM PLATFORMA COTMEANA, A ROMANIAN NATURAL PROTECTED AREA

Current work was carried out in a Natura 2000 site of community importance, ROSCI 0354, Platforma Cotmeana, with a surface of 12.529 ha, located in the Central Southern part of Romania in a hilly area. The site is mainly dominated by broadleaf forest, from which 30% consists of beech species, an important habitat component for the studied species. Focal species of this research were: Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus, 1758, and Morimus asper funereus Mulsant, 1862, as listed in the annex of EU Habitat Directive. For each species, numerical abundance, sex ratio, and other aspects of their biology were estimated. Habitat preference and the occurrence of individuals were recorded in order to evaluate their distribution in the site. Future perspectives on the status of the conservation of species in site were assessed by evaluation of human impact activities affecting the quality of their habitat. It was noted that most dominant species is L. cervus with an occurrence of 314 individuals, followed by M. asper funereus with 92 individuals, and C. cerdo with 41 individuals. An exoskeleton of Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) was found, fact explained by the limit of species distribution area in the site.

The European Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus) Monitoring Network: International Citizen Science Cooperation Reveals Regional Differences in Phenology and Temperature Response

Simple SummaryInternational cooperation is needed to prevent the loss of threatened species. To evaluate the situation, standardised monitoring is an important tool. Involving the general public (citizen science) can play a crucial role in realising such international monitoring. Here we report on the start-up and initial findings of the European Stag Beetle Monitoring Network (ESBMN), an international network of stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) monitoring schemes using the same protocol. This network aims to regularly assess local and international changes in the population of the stag beetle. Therefore, an internationally standardised protocol was agreed and a website was created where volunteers can create a transect and submit the data of their transect walks. Currently, the number of transects and transect walks submitted is increasing annually and will soon allow trend analysis. Our initial experience with the ESBMN shows that volunteers need more guidance and encouragement to avoid them dropping out of the project. In conclusion, we believe this system of international cooperation can be used for other charismatic insects in order to evaluate their threatened status and plan conservation actions.To address the decline in biodiversity, international cooperation in monitoring of threatened species is needed. Citizen science can play a crucial role in achieving this challenging goal, but most citizen science projects have been established at national or regional scales. Here we report on the establishment and initial findings of the European Stag Beetle Monitoring Network (ESBMN), an international network of stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) monitoring schemes using the same protocol. The network, started in 2016, currently includes 14 countries (see results) but with a strong variation in output regarding the number of transects (148 successful transects in total) and transect walks (1735). We found differences across European regions in the number of stag beetles recorded, related to phenology and temperature, but not for time of transect start. Furthermore, the initial experiences of the ESBMN regarding international cooperation, citizen science approach, and drop-out of volunteers is discussed. An international standardised protocol that allows some local variation is essential for international collaboration and data management, and analysis is best performed at the international level, whereas recruiting, training, and maintaining volunteers is best organised locally. In conclusion, we appeal for more joint international citizen science-based monitoring initiatives assisting international red-listing and conservation actions.

The entomofauna of scarabaeoidea beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabeoidea) in the Republic of Tatarstan

An overview of the entomofauna of scarabaeoidea beetles in the Republic of Tatarstan is given according to the data of long-term observations in the Verkhneuslonsky, Kamsko-Ustinsky, Mamadyshsky, Eelabugsky, Tukaevsky, Nizhnekamsky, Cheremshansky districts. The location of the republic on the territory of the southern taiga and forest-steppe zones determines the diversity of the species composition of the scarabaeoidea beetles. In total, from 1993 to 2021 the author identified 63 species, belonging to 19 tribes, 13 subfamilies and 4 families. Of these, 7 species are included in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Tatarstan: Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), Dorcus parallelipipedus (Linnaeus, 1758), Ceruchus chrysomelinus (Hochenwarth, 1785), Trypocopris vernalis (Linnaeus, 1758), Polyphylla fullo (Linnaeus, 1758), Protaetia speciosissima (Scopoli, 1786), Osmoderma barnabita Motschulsky, 1845. From this list, 5 species are included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation: Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), Ceruchus chrysomelinus (Hochenwarth, 1785), Trypocopris vernalis (Linnaeus, 1785), Protaetia speciosissima (Scopoli, 1786), Osmoderma barnabita Motschulsky, 1845. The list of some taxa is far from complete, some of them require a special study of faunism. The list of species is not exhaustive, especially for Subfamily Aphodiinae, which requires special research to complete. Protaetia fieberi (Kraatz, 1880) may be found in the Republic of Tatarstan with a high probability, this species is indicated for the neighboring Chuvash Republic and the Udmurt Republic. Previously, the author indicated this species as Potosia incerta in the 1990s, identified in the Verkhneuslonsky District, therefore, it is necessary to confirm the presence of the species on the territory of the republic at the present time.

Eurasian Eagle Owls Bubo bubo Opportunistically Prey on Stag Beetles Lucanus cervus

We report an exceptional case of Eurasian Eagle Owls Bubo bubo feeding on Stag Beetles Lucanus cervus in Germany, with the beetles making up 56.9% of all prey individuals. A review of literature and a comparison of data reveal that both the number and the biomass of the consumed beetles are typically too low to be of any nutritional importance with respect to the Eurasian Eagle Owl's broad food spectrum. Therefore, we conclude that Eurasian Eagle Owls merely opportunistically fed on this only seasonally available food source and that juvenile owls might prey on these beetles during their hunting exercises.

Çataldağ Karşıyaka Şefliğine Bağlı (Balıkesir) Farklı Biyotoplarda Yayılış Gösteren Polyphaga Türlerinin Çukur Tuzak Yöntemi ile Belirlenmesi

The main purpose of the study was to determine the species belonging to Oder Coleoptera living in 9 different biotopes in the coniferous and broadleaf forest areas (Pinus pinea, P.brutia, P.nigra, Abies sp., Fagus orientalis, Carpinus sp., Quercus sp. ve Alnus sp.) of Çataldağ-Karşıyaka Chief in the Susurluk district of Balıkesir Province. In this study, 32 species of 26 genera were identified under the Curculionidae, Tenebrionidae, Buprestidae, Lucanidae, Scarabaeidae and Staphylinidae families for 268 individuals using pitfall trap method on April and November in between 2017 and 2018. Overall, 19 species identified were reported for the first time for the local fauna of Balıkesir province. Identified Curculionidae, Tenebrionidae, Buprestidae, Lucanidae, Scarabaeidae and Staphylinidae families, contained one (Hylobius abietis), five (Blaps tibialis, Idahelops alpagutae, Opatrum sabulosum, Pseudoprobaticus granipennis, Probaticus obesus), seven (Anthaxia hungarica, Buprestis dalmatina, Capnodis miliaris, C. carbonaria, Chalcophora detrita, Trachypteris picta decostigma, Perotis chlorana), two (Dorcus parallelipipedus, Lucanus cervus), one (Protaetia cuprea) and one (Gyrohypnus angustatus) saproxylic species, respectively. Furthermore, Dorcus parallelipipedus was included only in the IUCN European Red List, while Lucanus cervus was also included in the Mediterranean basin Red List.

Relative Contribution of Citizen Science, Museum Data and Publications in Delineating the Distribution of the Stag Beetle in Spain.

Simple SummaryConservation of insects requires a reliable knowledge of their distribution. Such knowledge is hard to obtain in many cases, due to lack of human power and funding for extensive surveys. Three ways out of this problem have been suggested: (1) data already available in museum collections, (2) data already available in the entomological literature and (3) use of citizen science projects as a cheap, efficient way to survey extensive territories. We assessed the contribution of each of these sources of information in delineating the Spanish distribution of the European stag beetle. Although citizen science quickly contributed more grid cells than the other sources, some grid cells were uniquely contributed by museum and publication data. Thus, the three sources of information need to be combined when targeting endangered species in a broad, heterogenous, sparsely populated territory such as Spain.Reliable distribution maps are in the basis of insect conservation, but detailed chorological information is lacking for many insects of conservation concern (the Wallacean shortfall). Museum collections, entomological publications and citizen science projects can contribute to solve this Wallacean shortfall. Their relative contribution to the knowledge on the distribution of threatened insects has been scarcely explored, but it is important given that each of these three sources of information has its own biases and costs. Here we explore the contribution of museum data, entomological publications and citizen science in delineating the distribution of the European stag beetle in Spain. Citizen science contributed the highest number of records and grid cells occupied, as well as the highest number of grid cells not contributed by any other information source (unique grid cells). Nevertheless, both museum data and publications contributed almost 25% of all unique grid cells. Furthermore, the relative contribution of each source of information differed in importance among Spanish provinces. Given the pros and cons of museum data, publications and citizen science, we advise their combined use in cases, such as the European stag beetle in Spain, in which a broad, heterogeneous, sparsely populated territory has to be prospected.

Conservation of saproxylic beetles in the Carpathians

Romanian Carpathians are considered a biodiversity hotspot in Europe, with large forested areas, including old-growth forests. Past forestry practices, such as selective logging resulting in forest high grading and removal of ancient or decaying trees, reduced the heterogeneity of forest structure and composition. These practices led to forest habitats with few veteran trees and a small amount of deadwood, which protected saproxylic beetles rely on for completing their complex life cycles. Moreover, saproxylic species are considered pest species under traditional forestry practices, as they reduce the value of timber. As such, Romanian forestry practices have actively sought to reduce the amount of deadwood in an effort to decrease the presence of saproxylic species, thus effectively isolating stands with a high diversity of saproxylic beetles. The European Commission will finance the project LIFE19 NAT/RO/000023 Conservation of saproxylic beetles in the Carpathians LIFE ROsalia. The project aims to stop and reverse the loss of protected saproxylic beetles (Rosalia longicorn Rosalia alpina, the hermit beetle Osmoderma eremita, great capricorn beetle Cerambyx cerdo, grey beetle Morimus funereus, and stag beetle Lucanus cervus) in the Carpathians by demonstrating conservation actions for increasing the connectivity of favorable habitats in the ROSCI0208 Putna-Vrancea (Eastern Carpathians, Romania), and transferring and replicating best management practices in other Romanian Natura 2000 sites. LIFE ROsalia will be implemented between 2020 and 2025 by the Environmental Protection Agency Vrancea, the Center for Environmental Research at the University of Bucharest, the Putna-Vrancea Natural Park Administration, and the Association for Biodiversity Conservation.

Morphological variability and teratologies in the stag beetle Lucanus cervus (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) from Romania

In the present study 423 Lucanus cervus individuals belonging to the entomological collection of the” Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History (MNINGA) were checked for the presence of morphological differences and anomalies. Various malformations were identified in 16 specimens. This study also presents the first cases of bilateral symphysocery 2 + 3 and unilateral symphysocery 2 + 3 + 4 at the antennal clubs for L. cervus, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The teratological cases were more prevalent on the left rather than the right antenna (36.3% vs. 18.18%). The normal structural variations in L. cervus were classified as follows: different number of lamellate antennomeres of the antennal club, different number of pores on the last lamella and different shapes of the clypeus. More than 94% of the examined individuals had four antennomeres at the antennal club for both left and right antennae. The rounded shape (72%) with a uniporous sensilla (98%) of the last lamellate antennomere was the most common morph in the analysed samples. Among variations, V-shaped clypeus form was prevalent (37.3%) in L. cervus analysed males. Some structural modifications could have been caused by environmental factors producing alterations in the pupation or eclosion stages. For a better understanding of the causes of teratology and the presence of morphological changes in populations of L. cervus, further investigations are needed.

CATALOGUE OF THE „NATURA 2000” PROTECTED COLEOPTERA SPECIES FROM THE „ARION-PANIN” ENTOMOLOGICAL COLLECTION OF THE RESEARCH-DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE FOR PLANT PROTECTION

In the „Arion-Panin” entomological collection of the Research-Development Institute for Plant Protection (RDIPP) a number of 215 pieces belonging to 8 (from a total of 38) protected Coleoptera „Natura2000” species (Carabus variolosus, Cerambyx cerdo, Cucujus cinnaberinus, Lucanus cervus, Morimus funereus, Osmoderma barnabita and Rosalia alpina) are conserved. The pieces have been collected from various areas, from which 10 of them are presently included in the Romanian Natura 2000 protected areas network. The zoogeographical value of the specimens is considerable, due to the fact they represent historical Romanian fauna records. Some species are now unknown in the places they were collected, as in the case of the Rosalia alpina specimen collected from a house wall in Bucharest.

�������� ������� ������ � ������ � ������ ������ �ᒺ��� ���������� ����� �Samarskyi Lis � UA0000212�

In 2020, waters and territories of the eastern part of Emerald Network object “Samarskyi Lis – UA0000212” were studied by biology specialists. The main purpose of the research was to identify rare species of plants and animals. We found species of flora and fauna protected by European Red List, Red Data Book of Ukraine, Additions to the Bern Convention and Regional Red Data Book. The list of plant species subjected to special protection contains 42 species, including Allium savranicum, Agropyron dasyanthum, and Jurinea cyanoides. It is noted that in the eastern part of the Emerald Network object “Samarskyi Lis ‒ UA0000212” the presence of other rare plant species is assumed (Senecio borysthenicus (D&c.) Andrz., Agropyron dasyanthum Ledeb, Viola lavrenkoana Klokov., Allium savranicum Besser). This matter requires monitoring in various phenological periods of the year. Concerning entomofauna in the eastern part of the Emerald Network object “Samarskyi Lis – UA0000212” it was found 7 species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (2009): Lucanus cervus, Papilio machaon, Iphiclides podalirius, Zerunthia polyxena, Xylocopa valla, Scolіa maculata, Catocala sponsa, as well as 2 species of insects protected by the provisions of the Bern Convention ‒ Lucanus cervus, Lycaena dispar. The ichthyofauna of the eastern part of the Emerald Network object “Samarskyi Lis ‒ UA0000212” includes 4 species that are listed in the Bern Convention: Leucaspius delineatus, Rhodeus amarus, Cobitis taenia, Sykhorn abotter. Analysis of terrestrial vertebrates revealed the presence of 95 species to be protected. There are 5 species of amphibians (three of them are included in the International Red List – Lissotriton vulgaris, Hyla arborea, Bufo bufo), as well as 6 species of reptiles, among which one is protected by IUCN (Emys orbicularis), two species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (Coronella austriaca, Vipera renardi). 74 species of birds were found in the study area. Three of them (Coracias garrulus, Ciconia nigra and Buteo rufinus) are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. In the eastern part of the Emerald Network object “Samarskyi Lis ‒ UA0000212” there are 10 species of mammals, of which nine are protected by the provisions of the Bern Convention, and two species (Eptesicus serotinus, Nyctalus noctula) are listed in the Red Data Book Of Ukraine. It is proposed to conduct further monitoring studies in the eastern part of the Emerald Network “Samarskyi Lis ‒ UA00002122”