Rosalia Alpina Research Articles

Prioritizing forest patches to enhance habitat restoration and connectivity for the endangered saproxylic beetle Rosalia alpina (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae): a modelling approach.

The cerambycid beetle Rosalia alpinais associated with temperate, broadleaved (mainly beech) forests containing dead or decaying wood. This species is protected under the Habitats Directive of the European Union. Given its narrow ecological niche and limited dispersal abilities, habitat fragmentation is a conservation concern for populations of R. alpina. In order to maximise the effectiveness of habitat restoration, a scientifically sound procedure for patch selection is needed. In Gipuzkoa (N Spain), we used Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) images to search for 20x20-m cells matching the parameterisation of a predictive and local habitat model for R. alpinaat the tree level. The cells selected under quantitative criteria were clustered to identify potential habitat patches. Conefor Sensinode software was used to estimate the importance of each of those patches in terms of the connectivity of the population, based on dispersal distances of R. alpinaand the probabilities of dispersing events among patches. We identified 380 potential habitat patches, mostly in the south-eastern sector of the study area, which were classified into “core areas” and “connecting areas”. The performance of the model was tested in the field (61% of correct assignations), although the actual occurrence of R. alpinawithin the habitat patches should be assessed in the future. This model represents a step forward in guiding the cost-effective implementation of conservation activities, through a strict preservation of the current core habitat patches and an increase in the size of connecting patches.Therefore, we show that connectivity models combining remote sensing data and local habitat selection can be an aid in conservation planning and restoration actions, probably outperforming less efficient strategies, such as random or expert selection.

PRELIMINARY DATA REGARDING THE SAPROXYLIC SPECIES OF CERAMBYCIDAE (INSECTA: COLEOPTERA) IN ROSCI0045 CORIDORUL JIULUI, ROMANIA

Observations carried out in May-September 2022 in CoridorulJiului, a Natura 2000 area located in the south-western part of Romania, highlighted 16 species of Cerambycidae beetles. The landscape, local climate and forest management impact the diversity and distribution of these species in the site. All species have been listed on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, of which, Cerambyx cerdo, Rosalia alpina and Morimus asper funereus are also included in the Natura 2000 network. Five species were recorded for the first time in this area. Furthermore, another species noted, Isotomus speciosus, is a rare species in many European countries. The saproxylic character of these beetles makes them an essential participant within the forest ecosystem, which is why a responsible management of the forests in the Coridorul Jiului area is necessary to maintain the populations of these coleopterans on a stable trend.

Adatok a Dunántúl közösségi jelentőségű bogarainak ismeretéhez II. – Cincérek (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Between 2011 and 2021, surveys of the longhorn beetle fauna in 80 Natura 2000 sites in Transdanubia were carried out. Previously, a significant part of the sites was poorly mapped 226 faunistic data of Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus, 1758) was documented. The species was found in large numbers in the areas of Inner Somogy and South Zala but it was also recorded in many other sampling locations, however, it turned out to be much rarer in these locations. Morimus asper funereus Mulsant, 1863 was found at 30 sampling points. The species was found in previously known places, such as Bakony Mts., Mecsek Mts., and Zselic hills. The species was previously unknown from South Zala and North Somogy. 147 data of Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) were recorded. The occurrence of the species was not previously known from North Somogy and North Zala.

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.

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.

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.

First Documentation of Males’ Fights in Rosalia Longicorn Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)

Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) is an endangered and flagship saproxylic beetle. The males’ fight is common and widespread behavior in longhorn beetles, with numerous reports in the literature. In spite of its relevance, for Rosalia alpina there are only general mentions of this behavior and only sparse and uncontextualized photographic records. In this note we describe and discuss, by presenting photographic documentation, the observation of Rosalia alpina males fighting, trying to knock the opponent off the tree trunk.

Mycobiota of Dead Ulmus glabra Wood as Breeding Material for the Endangered Rosalia alpina (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The presence in wood of saprotrophic fungi is crucial for xylophagous insects, as they modify its chemical composition, moisture content and structure, and thus govern the survival and growth rate of larvae. Little is known about the mycobiota colonising the breeding material of saproxylic species. This paper focuses on the mycobiota of dead wych elms Ulmus glabra as breeding material for the endangered Rosalia alpina. Fungal isolates from wood fragments of the breeding material were identified using molecular techniques. A total of 24 taxa of wood-decay fungi were found (16 Ascomycota, 6 Basidiomycota, 1 Zygomycota, 1 unidentified) – saprotrophs and facultative parasites, saprotrophic fungi, fungal parasites and tree parasites. Six taxa were isolated from both the surface and deeper layers of the wood, and also from the wood dust and frass left in R. alpina foraging sites: Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cladosporium sp., Hypoxylon macrocarpum, Phaeoacremonium fraxinopennsylvanicum, Sistotrema brinkmannii and Stereum hirsutum. These fungi may be crucial in enabling R. alpina to colonise dead or dying trees and affect its larval development. Ph. fraxinopennsylvanicum, H. macrocarpum and Daldinia childiae are reported for the first time from Poland.

Combining climate, land use change and dispersal to predict the distribution of endangered species with limited vagility

AbstractAimMany rare species are dispersal‐limited; their colonization capacity can be impacted by land use and climate changes. Most ecological niche models predict the distribution of species under future climate and land use change scenarios without incorporating species‐specific dispersal abilities. Here we investigate the effect of climate and land use change on low vagile species accounting for their dispersal capacity and define accessible areas in the future.LocationEurope.TaxonSaproxylic beetles.MethodsWe used the current (2007–2012) occurrences of six endangered saproxylics to develop ecological niche models using current climate and land use conditions. We projected species distributions under four future climate and land use change scenarios to estimate their potential occurrences. Finally, accounting for species‐specific dispersal, we limited their distributions to accessible areas in 2040–2050.ResultsWithout accounting for dispersal abilities we found a strong and positive impact of climate change on the distribution of Cerambix cerdo, Cucujus cinnaberinus, Morimus funereus and Rosalia alpina and a positive effect of land use change on the distribution of Lucanus cervus and Osmoderma eremita. When species‐specific dispersal was included, we found a strong and positive impact of land use change on the distribution of all the species. In this case climate change had a lower but positive effect on the distribution of C. cerdo, C. cinnaberinus, L. cervus and R. alpina, and a negative effect on the distribution of O. eremita.Main conclusionWe found that climate change would promote the expansion of saproxylic beetles only in the unrealistic case of unlimited dispersal. Accounting for dispersal abilities, the expansion of our species would be mainly conditioned by the effect of land use change. Thus, we encourage researchers to combine climate and land use change with dispersal when projecting species distribution under future scenarios to accurately identify areas with fundamental species‐specific resources.

Saproxylic beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) on an old beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in Madonie Mountains (Sicily, Italy)

Saproxylic insects associated with old trees are seriously threatened in Europe and their habitat is severely decreased. Usually, old trees harbour a very diverse fauna of beetles with many rare species and red-listed saproxylic insect species. These insects live in the dead wood outside the tree (in branches or parts of the trunk), inside the tree hollows, in the debris, and in fungal fruit bodies. During 2019 we collected saproxylic beetles near Monte Carbonara (Madonie Mountains, Sicily, Italy) at 1800 meters above sea level. Particularly, we studied a very old still standing beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), t with numerous cavities and parts of the trunk fallen to the ground. Samples were collected by visually looking for beetles, on the ground and under leaves near the old beech, in its cavities and sifting the debris in the laboratory. Up to date the results include interesting beetle species such as Osmoderma cristinae Sparacio, 1994 (Cetoniidae), Byrrhus numidicus Normand, 1935 (Byrrhidae), Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) and Morimus asper Sulzer, 1776 (Cerambycidae).

Range expansion of an endangered beetle: Alpine Longhorn <i>Rosalia alpina</i> (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) spreads to the lowlands of Central Europe

Rosalia alpina is an endangered and strictly protected icon of saproxylic biodiversity throughout its range. Despite its popularity, information on its habitats and host-plants is insufficient, which may compromise the adoption of suitable conservation strategies. R. alpina has been considered as montane and associated with beech in central Europe, whereas in southern Europe R. alpina has often been reported from lowlands and its host spectrum is broader. We present evidence of an elm-feeding population ofR. alpina occurring in a lowland (beechfree) forest in the Czech Republic. This plus other information available suggest, that R. alpina spreads into central European lowland forests along large rivers, and that spectra of hosts and habitats exploited by R. alpina in Central Europe are wider than generally thought. Alteration of its habitat preference has either occurred in Central European populations, or lowland-inhabiting populations from the South are spreading northwards, possibly due to climate change.

Cover

Front cover: The cover image of the saproxylic beetle, Rosalia longicorn, Rosalia alpina, is based on Research Paper Phylogeography of the endangered saproxylic beetle Rosalia longicorn, Rosalia alpina (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), corresponds with its main host, the European beech (Fagus sylvatica, Fagaceae) by Lukas Drag et al, DOI: 10.1111/jbi.13429.

Phylogeography of the endangered saproxylic beetle Rosalia longicorn, Rosalia alpina (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), corresponds with its main host, the European beech (Fagus sylvatica, Fagaceae)

AbstractAimThe Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina) is an internationally protected icon of biodiversity associated with old trees and dead wood. Although the beetle regularly exploits several marginal hosts, its preferred main host is European beech (Fagus sylvatica s.l.). Moreover, the geographical ranges of R. alpina and beech closely overlap. To assess whether their spatial association is mirrored in the genetic patterns of both species, we investigated the phylogeography of Rosalia alpina over its entire geographical range and compared it with the known genetic patterns of its hosts.LocationEurope and western Asia.MethodsUsing both mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (14 microsatellite loci) markers, we analysed 148 (444, respectively) individuals from 31 (30, respectively) sites. We constructed a Bayesian Inference tree and a haplotype network, calculated the spatial analysis of molecular variance and assessed the population structure of our dataset using two Bayesian clustering methods (STRUCTURE and BAPS).ResultsMitochondrial markers suggested existence of five clades in R. alpina populations. Two of them were endemic to the Italian mainland, one to Sicily, and another to southern Turkey. The remaining clade probably originated in the Balkans and colonized the rest of the species’ range. Nuclear markers supported this division. They also suggested two main recolonization routes from the Balkans; one heading north and then both west and east, the second expanding eastwards as far as the Caucasus. The observed genetic patterns were largely congruent with those of European beech.Main conclusionsThe results of both markers were mostly congruent, suggesting at least four potential refugia for R. alpina located in the southernmost parts of its geographical range. Its populations from a large part of Europe and western Asia, however, were genetically poor, dominated by a single haplotype. Phylogeographies of the beetle and its main host seem to be tightly matched, reflecting their common history.

Photonic structures improve radiative heat exchange of Rosalia alpina (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The insect cuticle serves a multitude of purposes, including: mechanical and thermal protection, water-repelling, acoustic signal absorption and coloration. The influence of cuticular structures on infrared radiation exchange and thermal balance is still largely unexplored. Here we report on the micro- and nanostructured setae covering the elytra of the longicorn beetle Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) that help the insect to survive in hot, summer environments. In the visible part of the spectrum, scale-like setae, covering the black patches of the elytra, efficiently absorb light due to the radiation trap effect. In the infrared part of the spectrum, setae of the whole elytra significantly contribute to the radiative heat exchange. From the biological point of view, insect elytra facilitate camouflage, enable rapid heating to the optimum body temperature and prevent overheating by emitting excess thermal energy.

Potential range of impact of an ecological trap network: the case of timber stacks and the Rosalia longicorn

Although the negative impact of timber stacks on populations of saproxylic beetles is a well-known phenomenon, there is relatively little data concerning the scale of this impact and its spatial aspect. Beech timber stored in the vicinity of the forest can act as an ecological trap for the Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina), so in this study we have attempted to determine the spatial range of the impact of a network of timber stacks. Timber stacks in the species’ range in the study area were listed and monitored during the adult emergence period in 2014–2016. Based on published data relating to the species’ dispersal capabilities, buffers of four radii (500, 1000, 1600, 3000 m) were delineated around the stacks and the calculated ranges of potential impact. The results show that the percentage of currently known localities of the Rosalia longicorn impacted by stacks varies from 19.7 to 81.6%, depending on the assumed impact radius. The percentage of forest influenced by timber stacks was 77% for the largest-radius buffer. The overall impact of the ecological trap network is accelerated by fragmentation of the impact-free area. It was also found that forests situated close to the timber stacks where the Rosalia longicorn was recorded were older and more homogeneous in age and species composition than those around stacks where the species was absent. Such results suggest that timber stacks act as an ecological trap in the source area of the local population.

A first assessment of genetic variability in the longhorn beetle Rosalia alpina (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from the Italian Apennines

The Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina) is a strictly protected saproxylic beetle, widely distributed in Central and Southern Europe and mainly associated with ancient beech forests. To improve knowledge about the conservation status of R. alpina in Italy, available molecular markers (microsatellites and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I(COI)) were tested for the first time on Italian populations. The study was performed in four sampling sites distributed in two areas placed in Northern (“Foreste Casentinesi” National Park) and Central Apennines (“Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise” National Park) where populational data about Rosalia longicorn were collected in the framework of the European LIFE MIPP Project. The genetic relationship among Apennine and Central/South-eastern European populations was explored by a comparison with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data from literature. Microsatellite markers were only partially informative when applied to R. alpina Italian individuals, although providing some preliminary indication on an extensive gene flow among populations from the Apennines and local ongoing processes of genetic erosion. Genetic data are consistent with previous ecological data suggesting that the maintenance of variability in this species could be related to both habitat continuity and preservation of large senescent or standing dead trees in forests. Finally, a peculiar origin of the Apennine populations of R. alpina from a putative “Glacial Refugium” in Italy was inferred through COI data. The high genetic distance scored among the analysed populations and those from Central and South-eastern Europe indicates that the R. alpina deme from Apennine Mountains might represent a relevant conservation unit in Europe. Further genetic analyses will allow assessing other possible conservation units of R. alpina and, thus, defining large-scale conservation strategies to protect this endangered longhorn beetle in Europe.

First occurrence of Rosalia longicorn Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) in the valley of the Drava River (Hungary)

One male of Rosalia longicorn Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) was found on the shore of the OldDrava side arm near Barcs on the 1st July 2016. This was the first finding of this rare, Natura 2000 species in the area of the Drava valley which belongs to the Danube-Drava National Park.

NOVI PODACI I DISTRIBUCIJA SAPROKSILNIH VRSTA TVRDOKRILACA (COLEOPTERA) OD ZNAČAJA ZA USPOSTAVU EKOLOŠKE MREŽE NATURA 2000, NA TERITORIJI NACIONALNOG PARKA SUTJESKA I ŠIREM PODRUČJU PLANINE ZELENGORE

Direktiva o staništima Evropske unije predstavlja jedan od temelja evropskog zakonodavstva u oblastizaštite prirode i zaštite biodiverziteta. Ona definiše uspostavljanje mreže posebnih područja za očuvanjebiodiverziteta, koja su poznata kao Natura 2000 područja, u cilju osiguranja dugoročnog opstanka najvrednijihi najugroženijih vrsta i staništa Evrope. Direktiva u Dodatku II navodi 38 vrsta tvrdokrilaca čijeočuvanje zahtijeva određivanje posebnih područja za zaštitu.U ovom radu prezentovani su podaci o taksonima tvrdokrilaca (Coleoptera) iz Dodatka II Direktive ostaništima Evropske unije, a koji su do sada registrovani na području Nacionalnog parka „Sutjeska“ iširem području planine Zelengore.Terenskim istraživanjem sprovedenim u 2015. i 2016. godini identifikovana su četiri taksona tvrdokrilacanavedena u Dodatku II Direktive o staništima Evropske unije: Cucujus cinnaberinus (Scopoli, 1763),Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), Morimus asper funereus Mulsant, 1862 i Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus,1758), dok su vrste Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus, 1758 i Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763) poznate uistraživanom području samo na osnovu literaturnih podataka, odnosno zbirki Zemaljskog muzeja Bosnei Hercegovine. Ukupno je registrovano 30 nalaza navedenih taksona tvrdokrilaca sa 20 lokaliteta, odčega je 19 nalaza prikupljeno tokom terenskih istraživanja u 2015. i 2016. godini.

Nature protection areas of Europe are insufficient to preserve the threatened beetle Rosalia alpina (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): evidence from species distribution models and conservation gap analysis

1. Natura 2000 network (N2000) and national protected areas (NPAs) are recognised as the most important core ‘units’ for biological conservation in Europe.2. Species distribution models (SDMs) were developed to detect the potential distribution of the rare and threatened cerambycid beetle Rosalia alpina L. in Europe, and the amount of suitable habitat within the N2000 network [special areas of conservation (SACs) and special protection areas (SPAs)], NPAs (e.g. national parks, regional parks, state reserves, natural monuments and protected landscapes) and the overall European protected area network (EPAN) (N2000 + NPAs) was quantified.3. According to this analysis, the suitable habitat for R. alpina in Europe amounts to c. 754 171 km2 and stretches across substantially uninterrupted areas from Portugal to Romania (west to east) and from Greece to Germany (south to north). The overlay between the existing system of conservation areas in Europe (N2000 and NPAs) and the binary map for R. alpina showed that only c. 42% of potential habitat is protected. SACs and SPAs protect c. 25% and 21% of potential habitat, respectively. However, because the two site types often spatially overlap, when taken together the entire N2000 network protects c. 31% of potential habitat. Instead, NPAs offer a degree of protection of c. 29%. Overall, almost 60% of the area potentially suitable for the species is unprotected by the EPAN, an aspect that should be considered carefully when planning the conservation of this beetle at a large scale.4. These results may also help to focus field surveys in selected areas where greater chances of success are encountered to save resources and increase survey effectiveness.

Primer registro de <em>Rosalia alpina</em> (Linnaeus 1758) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) en <em>Prunus avium</em> (L.) (Rosaceae)

El empleo de Prunus avium (L.) como hábitat para el longicornio legalmente protegido Rosalia alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) se registra por primera vez. Las observaciones tuvieron lugar en un cerezo moribundo localizado en un jardín en un entorno rural perteneciente al término municipal de Asteasu (Gipuzkoa). La presencia de adultos apareándose y buscando lugares para ovopositar, de orificios de salida y de una larva dentro de una rama muerta, sugieren que la especie es capaz de completar su ciclo biológico en el cerezo. Dentro de las ramas muertas se encontraron otras dos especies de saproxílicos: Cerambyx scopolii Fuessly, 1775 and Ampedus pomonae (Stephens, 1820). En la región del área de estudio, R. alpina sólo había sido previamente citada en ejemplares de Fagus sylvatica L. Por tanto, se recomiendan futuras investigaciones para determinar la importancia de otras especies de árboles como hábitat alternativo y su papel para la conservación de R. alpina.