Analysis of changes in the species and ecological structure of the beetle complex (Insecta: Coleoptera) — inhabitants of xylotrophic macromycetes in the conditions of modern coleopterofauna and climate transformation

Abstract

The paper contains the study results of mycetophylous beetles complex which was carried out in the city of Baranovichi and the Baranovichi district of the Brest region.

As a result of research it was observed the effect of two different processes on the faunogenesis of mycetophylous beetles. On the one hand, there is a reduction in the species richness of this beetle association in forests with intensive economic activity. Remarkably, number of indicator species of valuable forest biotopes decreases as anthropogenic impact on forest ecosystems increases. On the other hand, there is a transformation of the fauna structure of complexes of beetles inhabiting the fruiting bodies of xylotrophic fungi due to changes in the distribution of a number of mycetophilous species caused by climate transformation.

An analysis of changes in the distribution of species associated with the fruiting bodies of xylotrophic macromycetes over the past decades showed that 85 out of 116 mycetophylous beetles found during the studies have changed the boundaries of their distribution in Belarus. At the same time, the largest number of species which were found during the research (49) expanded their habitats, moving northward. Almost the same number of representatives of the complex (47) changed the eastern boundaries of their distribution, having mastered the eastern regions of Belarus.

During the research, a comparative analysis of data on the modern ecological structure of the complex of beetles associated with the fruiting bodies of wood-destroying fungi was carried out with the results of comprehensive studies of the mycetophilic beetle fauna, both our own and those obtained by Belarusian scientists since the 90s of the last century. As a result, an increase in the ecological valence of individual representatives of the association of beetles — inhabitants of xylotrophic macromycetes was revealed. It is expressed, first of all, in the expansion of the list of fungi they inhabit.

The species Hylis olexai (Palm, 1955) (family Eucnemidae) was indicated for the territory of Belarus for the first time.