Seasonal activity of Coleoptera attracted by fermental crown traps in forest ecosystems of Central Russia

The seasonal activity of Coleoptera was studied using fermental crown traps. The study was conducted from April to October 2019 in five forest biotopes (aspen, lime, pine, birch and oak) in the territory of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve (Russia, Republic of Mordovia). Eighty-three species are found from 31 families. Cerambycidae (13 species), Nitidulidae (11 species) and Curculionidae (9 species) had the greatest species diversity. A significant part of the identified taxa (57 species from 23 families) can be attributed to saproxylic beetles. The peak abundance of Coleoptera in four biotopes (aspen, lime, pine and birch forests) was in mid-May; in an oak forest, it was at the beginning of June. Seven species seasonal activity was monitored (Cryptarcha strigata, Glischrochilus hortensis, Glischrochilus grandis, Cychramus luteus, Soronia grisea, Protaetia marmorata and Anisandrus dispar)

DISCOVERY OFALLONYX QUADRIMACULATUS(SCHALLER, 1783)(COLEOPTERA CLERIDAECLERINAE) IN RUSSIA

The paper presents data on a record ofAllonyx quadrimaculatus(Schaller) in the Republic of Mordovia (Russia,CentralEuropeanTerritory) and also the whole known information about specimens of the species stored in Russianmuseums. Wediscussthespecies’ distribution which is considered as intermittent. Data on biology of Allonyxquadrimaculatusand description of its newly found habitat are presented

Distribution of species from the genus Panorpa (Mecoptera, Panorpidae) in European Russia except the Caucasus

The study of the insect distribution in geographical areas is relevant since it is important in terms of understanding the global trend of biodiversity decline. The paper presents the results of a study on the distribution of six species of Panorpidae (Mecoptera), carried out in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017–2020. One part of data was collected by the authors. Other material was provided by colleagues from 11 regions in Russia. In European Russia, six species of Panorpa are reliably known, namely Panorpa alpina, P. cognata, P. communis, P. germanica, P. hybrida, and P. vulgaris. The most common and frequently encountered species are P. communis (in 21 regions), P. hybrida (in 12 regions), P. vulgaris (in 11 regions), and P. cognata (in 11 regions). It is assumed that all studied species can be found in other regions of European Russia as a result of further investigations. Among the studied species, P. alpina and P. germanica are the rarest species, recorded from two and one regions, respectively. Panorpa vulgaris was found for the first time in Russia

Modeling of GERDA Phase II data

The GERmanium Detector Array (GERDA) experiment at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS) of INFN is searching for neutrinoless double-beta ($0\nu\beta\beta$) decay of $^{76}$Ge. The technological challenge of GERDA is to operate in a "background-free" regime in the region of interest (ROI) after analysis cuts for the full 100$\,$kg$\cdot$yr target exposure of the experiment. A careful modeling and decomposition of the full-range energy spectrum is essential to predict the shape and composition of events in the ROI around $Q_{\beta\beta}$ for the $0\nu\beta\beta$ search, to extract a precise measurement of the half-life of the double-beta decay mode with neutrinos ($2\nu\beta\beta$) and in order to identify the location of residual impurities. The latter will permit future experiments to build strategies in order to further lower the background and achieve even better sensitivities. In this article the background decomposition prior to analysis cuts is presented for GERDA Phase II. The background model fit yields a flat spectrum in the ROI with a background index (BI) of $16.04^{+0.78}_{-0.85} \cdot 10^{-3}\,$cts/(kg$\cdot$keV$\cdot$yr) for the enriched BEGe data set and $14.68^{+0.47}_{-0.52} \cdot 10^{-3}\,$cts/(kg$\cdot$keV$\cdot$yr) for the enriched coaxial data set. These values are similar to the one of Gerda Phase I despite a much larger number of detectors and hence radioactive hardware components

Modeling of GERDA Phase II data

The GERmanium Detector Array (Gerda) experiment at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS) of INFN is searching for neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay of 76Ge. The technological challenge of Gerda is to operate in a “background-free” regime in the region of interest (ROI) after analysis cuts for the full 100 kg·yr target exposure of the experiment. A careful modeling and decomposition of the full-range energy spectrum is essential to predict the shape and composition of events in the ROI around Qββ for the 0νββ search, to extract a precise measurement of the half-life of the double-beta decay mode with neutrinos (2νββ) and in order to identify the location of residual impurities. The latter will permit future experiments to build strategies in order to further lower the background and achieve even better sensitivities. In this article the background decomposition prior to analysis cuts is presented for Gerda Phase II. The background model fit yields a flat spectrum in the ROI with a background index (BI) of 16.04+0.78−0.85⋅10−3 cts/(keV·kg·yr) for the enriched BEGe data set and 14.68+0.47−0.52⋅10−3 cts/(keV·kg·yr) for the enriched coaxial data set. These values are similar to the one of Phase I despite a much larger number of detectors and hence radioactive hardware components

On the distribution of the tenebrionid tribe Platyscelidini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

The world fauna of the tribe Platyscelidini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) comprises 182 species from 8 genera (Egorov, 2004). This group is found in Palaearctic area. The overwhelming majority of tenebrionid tribe Platyscelidini species inhabit Asia, while just two of them (Oodescelis melas (Fisch.) and Platyscelis hungarica Friv.) can be found in Europe only. The Platyscelidini fauna of China (50 species from 4 genera), Afghanistan (39 species from 2 similar genera Bioramix Bat. and Trichomyatis Schust.), Kazakhstan (34 species from 4 genera in the Asian part), Tadjikistan (34 species from 6 genera), North India (28 species from 2 genera) and Kyrgyzstan (25 species from 3 genera) are the most diverse. The centers of Platyscelidini species diversity are situated in the mountain regions of mentioned countries. Four species inhabit Europe, 6 are found in Russia (3 in the European part and 5 in the Asian part).La faune mondiale de la tribu Platyscelidini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) contient 182 espèces appartenant à 8 genres (Egorov, 2004). Ce groupe n'est distribué que dans la région Paléarctique. L'immense majorité des espèces de la tribu Platyscelidini habitent en Asie, mais deux d'entre elles ne se rencontrent qu'en Europe (Oodescelis melas (Fisch.) et Platyscelis hungarica Friv.). Les faunes de Platyscelidini les plus variées sont celles de Chine (50 espèces de 4 genres), d'Afghanistan (39 espèces de 2 genres proches Bioramix Bat. et Trichomyatis Schust.), du Kazakhstan (34 espèces de 4 genres dans la partie asiatique), du Tadjikistan (34 espèces de 6 genres), de l'Inde du Nord (29 espèces de 2 genres) et du Kirghizistan (25 espèces de 3 genres). Les centres de diversité spécifique des Platyscelidini sont concentrés dans les régions de montagne des pays nommés. Quatre espèces se rencontrent en Europe, et six en Russie (3 espèces dans la partie européenne et 5 dans la partie asiatique).Egorov Leonid V. On the distribution of the tenebrionid tribe Platyscelidini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae). In: Cahiers scientifiques du Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Lyon - Centre de conservation et d'étude des collections, tome 10, 2006. pp. 139-142

On the distribution of the tenebrionid tribe Platyscelidini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)

The world fauna of the tribe Platyscelidini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) comprises 182 species from 8 genera (Egorov, 2004). This group is found in Palaearctic area. The overwhelming majority of tenebrionid tribe Platyscelidini species inhabit Asia, while just two of them (Oodescelis melas (Fisch.) and Platyscelis hungarica Friv.) can be found in Europe only. The Platyscelidini fauna of China (50 species from 4 genera), Afghanistan (39 species from 2 similar genera Bioramix Bat. and Trichomyatis Schust.), Kazakhstan (34 species from 4 genera in the Asian part), Tadjikistan (34 species from 6 genera), North India (28 species from 2 genera) and Kyrgyzstan (25 species from 3 genera) are the most diverse. The centers of Platyscelidini species diversity are situated in the mountain regions of mentioned countries. Four species inhabit Europe, 6 are found in Russia (3 in the European part and 5 in the Asian part).La faune mondiale de la tribu Platyscelidini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) contient 182 espèces appartenant à 8 genres (Egorov, 2004). Ce groupe n'est distribué que dans la région Paléarctique. L'immense majorité des espèces de la tribu Platyscelidini habitent en Asie, mais deux d'entre elles ne se rencontrent qu'en Europe (Oodescelis melas (Fisch.) et Platyscelis hungarica Friv.). Les faunes de Platyscelidini les plus variées sont celles de Chine (50 espèces de 4 genres), d'Afghanistan (39 espèces de 2 genres proches Bioramix Bat. et Trichomyatis Schust.), du Kazakhstan (34 espèces de 4 genres dans la partie asiatique), du Tadjikistan (34 espèces de 6 genres), de l'Inde du Nord (29 espèces de 2 genres) et du Kirghizistan (25 espèces de 3 genres). Les centres de diversité spécifique des Platyscelidini sont concentrés dans les régions de montagne des pays nommés. Quatre espèces se rencontrent en Europe, et six en Russie (3 espèces dans la partie européenne et 5 dans la partie asiatique).Egorov Leonid V. On the distribution of the tenebrionid tribe Platyscelidini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae). In: Cahiers scientifiques du Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Lyon - Centre de conservation et d'étude des collections, tome 10, 2006. pp. 139-142

Vertical Stratification of Beetles in Deciduous Forest Communities in the Centre of European Russia

Studies on the vertical distribution of arthropods in temperate forests have revealed the uneven vertical distribution of communities. Many factors influence these patterns simultaneously. However, there are still many questions related to the vertical distribution of Coleoptera in deciduous forests of the temperate zone. The research was carried out within the territory of the Republic of Mordovia (the center of the European part of Russia). Fermental traps with a bait made of fermenting beer with sugar were used to collect Coleoptera. The collections were carried out from May to September 2020 at five sites in a deciduous forest. We set traps at a height of 1.5, 3.5, 7.5 and 12 m above the ground) on the branches of trees. Ninety-two species were identified at the end of studies at different heights. The families Nitidulidae (15 species), Cerambycidae (14 species), Elateridae (7 species), Curculionidae (7 species) and Scarabaeidae (7 species) had the greatest species diversity. The greatest species diversity was recorded at a height of 1.5 m, while the smallest one was recorded at a height of 7.5 m. The minimum number of specimens was recorded at a height of 12 m. The largest differences in the Jaccard similarity index were obtained between samples from a height of 1.5 and 12 m. The Shannon’s diversity index was higher near the ground than in the tree crowns (at heights of 7.5 and 12 m), and the Simpson index had the opposite tendency. Glischrochilus hortensis and to a lesser extent Cychramus luteus preferred to live in the lowest layers of deciduous forest (1.5 m). Cryptarcha strigata was mainly found with relatively high numbers at heights of 3.5 m and 7.5 m. The abundance and occurrence of Protaetia marmorata and Quedius dilatatus were higher in the uppermost layers of the crowns. The number of saproxylic beetle species at heights of 3.5–12 m was almost the same, while in the surface layer it decreased. The number of anthophilic beetle species was also lower at a low altitude. Our data confirm the relevance of sampling in forest ecosystems at different altitudes while studying arthropod biodiversity

Overview of insect species included in the Red Data Book of Russian Federation in the Mordovia State Nature Reserve

The paper presents overview of ten insect species of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve which are included in the animal taxa list of second edition of the Red Data Book of Russian Federation. Amongst them, three species (Calosoma sycophanta, Сeruchus chrysomelinus, Protaetia fieberi) were found in the last five years. Since the year 2008 to date, old records of another six species (Dytiscus latissimus, Trypocopris vernalis, Osmoderma barnabita, Protaetia speciosissima, Parnopes grandior и Parnassius apollo) were confirmed. And one species (Lucanus cervus) is for the time being known only according to literature data. Descriptions of some species are accompanied by data on their abundance, biology and ecology

Vertical Stratification and Seasonal Dynamics of <i>Coleoptera</i> in Open Biotopes of Forest Ecosystems (Centre of European Russia)

There are few studies on the vertical distribution and seasonal activity of arthropods in open habitats (in glades) in temperate forests due to methodological problems associated with the arrangement of certain structures for trapping. However, glades in forests are places of significant biodiversity of native animals, which are attracted to such areas by the possibilities of nutrition, reproduction, and wintering. The research was carried out on the territory of the Republic of Mordovia (the center of the European part of Russia). Fermental traps (bait—fermenting beer with sugar) were used to collect Coleoptera. They were installed on a special structure at heights of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 m. The collections were carried out from May to October 2020 in a glade with an area of 0.93 hectares in a deciduous forest. At the end of the research, 745 specimens of 80 species were registered from 30 Coleoptera families. The greatest species diversity was recorded in Nitidulidae (11 species), Cerambycidae (10 species), Scarabaeidae (7 species), Elateridae, Coccinellidae, and Curculionidae (5 species each). The greatest species diversity (53 species) and numerical abundance were obtained at a height of 2 m, and the smallest one (16 species) at a height of 10 m. The largest differences in the Jaccard similarity index were obtained between samples from a height of 2 and 10 m. The maximum values of the Shannon index and the minimum values of the Simpson index were recorded at the height of 2 m. The most significant relative number of saproxylic species was obtained at a height of 4 m. The relative number of anthophilic species was minimal at a height of 10 m. The seasonal dynamics of Coleoptera abundance were the same at different heights and the highest abundance was observed in late May and early June. However, the seasonal dynamics were different for some Coleoptera species in the glade located and inside the forest. Our data confirm the relevance of sampling in open biotopes at different heights in the study of arthropod biodiversity