The Structure and Seasonal Dynamics of Coprophagous Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) Communities in Later Developmental Stages of Pine Stands in NW Poland

Authors

  • Adam Byk Department of Forest Protection and Ecology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159/34, 02-776 Warsaw
  • Piotr Wč™grzynowicz Institute of Forest Sciences, University of ŁÓdź, Branch in TomaszÓw Mazowiecki, ul. Konstytucji 3 Maja 65/67, 97-200 TomaszÓw Mazowiecki

Keywords:

Scarabaeoidea, dung beetles, community structure, seasonal dynamics, pine stands, Poland

Abstract

The research was conducted in CzÅ‚uchów Forest (Polish: Lasy CzÅ‚uchowskie) in NW Poland. Eight research plots, representing later developmental stages of pine stands, were established. Five traps baited with cow dung were set in each of the plots. In total, 47389 specimens of dung beetles (coprophagous Scarabaeoidea) were collected, representing 30 species; earth-boring dung beetles (Geotrupidae) Anoplotrupes stercorosus and Trypocopris vernalis dominated in the collected material. Three communities of dung beetle were differentiated, based on the season of adult activity: spring type (characterized by high species richness and the presence of Aphodius ater, A. fossor, A. nemoralis, A. pusillus, A. sphacelatus, A. sticticus, A. subterraneus, Heptaulacus testudinarius, Oxyomus sylvestris and Onthophagus nuchicornis), summer type (characterized by much lower species richness, distinguished by the presence of Aphodius sordidus), and autumn type (characterized by the lowest species richness, with two characteristic species: Aphodius contaminatus and A. paykulli).

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Published

08.12.2015

How to Cite

Byk, A., & Wč™grzynowicz, P. (2015). The Structure and Seasonal Dynamics of Coprophagous Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) Communities in Later Developmental Stages of Pine Stands in NW Poland. Journal of the Entomological Research Society, 17(3), 39–57. Retrieved from https://www.entomol.org/journal/index.php/JERS/article/view/885

Issue

Section

Journal of the Entomological Research Society