Dung Beetles of the Polish Carpathians

Abstract

In the Polish Carpathians, no extensive research has previously been carried out on coprophagous beetles of the Scarabaeoidea superfamily. Research on this group of insects in the Polish Carpathians was carried out from 2011 to 2013. Beetles were caught using baited pitfall traps and by the flotation method. The research was carried out at sites that took into account both the horizontal diversity of habitat conditions and vertical diversity associated with the increase in elevation above sea level. In total, beetles were caught at 78 sites. The current species composition of coprophagous Scarabaeoidea in the Polish Carpathians was analysed in relation to historical data. The mesoregions of the Polish Carpathians with the highest species richness and the highest diversity of this group of insects were determined. The vertical ranges of occurrence of individual dung beetle species within the Polish Carpathians were established, as well as the elevations above sea level with the highest and lowest species richness of this group of insects. The habitat preferences of species occurring within the Polish Carpathians were determined as well. Finally, criteria were proposed for identifying rare or vulnerable dung beetles in the area.