Mapping analysis of saproxylic Natura 2000 beetles (Coleoptera) from the Prigoria-Bengeşti Protected Area (ROSCI0359) in Gorj County (Romania)

Abstract

Abstract. In 2014, an inventory of protected Natura 2000 saproxylic beetles from the Prigoria-Bengeşti protected area in Gorj County (Romania) was made. Four species were identified: Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763), Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758), Morimus funereus Mulsant, 1862 and Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus, 1758. Using GIS mapping analysis, the distribution of these species was established in terms of the habitats described in the Natura 2000 framework. Lucanus cervus occurred over more than half of the Prigoria-Bengeşti protected area, with an overall area of occupancy of 26.10%. Morimus funereus and Cerambyx cerdo occurred in between 23.21-27.67% of the area, whereas Osmoderma eremita only occurred in 12.04% of the ROSCI0359, with area of occupancy by 11.40%. This paper presents the threats to these beetles and summarises some management and conservation issues based on the existing observations and experience at a local level.

Monitoring of the saproxylic beetle Morimus asper funereus Mulsant, 1862 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Măcin Mountains National Park, Romania

“…The average value of the sex ratio over the two years of study was 0.64, and the proportion of females was 60.71%. These results contrast with those from other researchers, who registered a male-biased sex ratio in captures (Chiari et al 2013, Bărbuceanu et al 2015, Manu et al 2017, Hardersen et al 2017b. There are two possible explanations: a) that in the MMNP a warmer climate with Mediterranean influence affects the population dynamics, favouring females; or b) the climate during the monitoring period (from June to August during both years) was not so proper for the investigated species, in this southern area the males having the peak in May probably, and after this their numbers diminish.…”

“…Comparing our data for one year of study with the numerical abundances recorded elsewhere in Romania, we observed that the results in MMNP are similar to those recorded from Muscelele Argeşului (97 individuals), Platoul Cândeşti (59 individuals) and Prigoria-Bengeşti forest (47 individuals), but the values are higher than those obtained in Nordul Gorjului de Est (27 individuals), Nera Gorges-Beuşniţa National Park (10 individuals), Bârnova-Repedea forest (3 individuals), Buzău area (6 individuals) and Defileul Jiului National Park (5 individuals) (Bussler et al 2005, Ungureanu et al 2008, Prunar et al 2013, Stan and Niţu 2013, Bărbuceanu et al 2015, Olosutean et al 2017, Manu et al 2017.…”

“…On one hand, in the small protected areas that are more accessible compared to the big ones (as Nera Gorges-Beuşniţa National Park or Defileul Jiului National Park), finding the beetles may be easier. On the other hand, the protected areas such as Platoul Cândeşti, Prigoria-Bengeşti forest or Măcin Mountains National Park (according to its management plan) are characterised by dense forest ecosystems, which provide favourable environmental conditions for these beetles (Bărbuceanu et al 2015, Bărbuceanu 2017, Manu et al 2017). Examining the habitat type, we observed that in two years of study Morimus asper funereus, a thermophilous species, especially preferred the Moesian silver lime woods (91Z0), characterised by a diverse tree flora including Quercus petraea, Q.…”

“…Trees lying on the ground (habitats for Morimus asper funereus) do not have their own canopy, exposing part of the trunk to the sun, while a high canopy cover in the surroundings probably maintains the preferred range of daily temperature favouring daily adult activity. In Romania, different specialists have demonstrated that Morimus asper funereus not only prefers forests with higher density of trees and shrubs, but also fringe areas (Prunar et al 2013, Bărbuceanu et al 2015, Manu et al 2017, Olosutean et al 2017).…”

Distribution and habitat preferences of the stag beetle Lucanus cervus (L.) in forested areas of Poland

“…In Romania the beetle was reported from the following habitats 48 : 9130 Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests, 91Y0 Dacian oak-hornbeam forests, 91M0 Pannonian-Balkanic Turkey oak-sessile oak forest with sessile oak, pine and acacia groves with pine and locust and a mixture of 9130 Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests and 91Y0 Dacian oak-hornbeam forests. However, the largest number of L. cervus specimens was recorded in the habitat 9170 Galio-Carpinetum oak-hornbeam forests with oak and hornbeam.…”