Niemelä, J. 1996: From systematics to evolution – carabidologist do it all. Preface. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 1–4. (Abstract not available).
Full text (print quality pdf)

Ball, G. E. 1996: Vignettes of the history of neotropical carabidology. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 5–16.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Erwin, T. R. 1996: Arboreal Beetles of Neotropical Forests: Agra Fabricius, the cayennensis complex (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Lebiini: Calleidina). — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 17–21.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Galián, J., Prüser, F., De la Rúa, P., Serrano, J. & Mossakowski, D.: Cytological and molecular differences in the Ceroglossus chilensis species complex (Coleoptera: Carabidae). — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 23–30.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Kavanaugh, D. H. 1996: Phylogenetic relationships of genus Pelophila Dejean to other basal grade Carabidae (Coleoptera). — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 31–37.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Vogler, A. P. & Kelley, K. C. 1996: At the interface of phylogenetics and ecology: the case of chemical defenses in Cicindella. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 39–47.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Penev, L. 1996: Large-scale variation in carabid assemblages, with special reference to the local fauna concept. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 49–63.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Desender, K. R. C. 1996: Diversity and dynamics of coastal dune carabids. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 65–75.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

De Vries, H. H. 1996: Metapopulation structure of Pterostichus lepidus and Olisthopus rotundatus on heathland in the Netherlands: the results from transplant experiments. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 77–84.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Niehues, F.-J., Hockmann, P. & Weber, F. 1996: Genetics and dynamics of a Carabus auronitens metapopulation in the Westphalian Lowlands (Coleoptera, Carabidae). — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 85–96.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Chaabane, K., Loreau, M. & Josens, G. 1996: Individual and population energy budgets of Abax ater (Coleoptera, Carabidae). — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 97–108.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Riecken, U. & Raths, U. 1996: Use of radio telemetry for studying dispersal and habitat use of Carabus coriaceus L. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 109–116.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Mommertz, S., Schauer, C., Kösters, N., Lang, A. & Filser, J. 1996: A comparison of D-Vac suction, fenced and unfenced pitfall trap sampling of epigeal arthropods in agro-ecosystems. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 117–124.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Ashworth, A. C. 1996: The response of arctic Carabidae (Coleoptera) to climate change based on the fossil record of the Quaternary Period. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 125–131.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Telfer , M. G. & Eversham, B. C. 1996: Ecology and conservation of heathland Carabidae in eastern England. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 133–138.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Blake, S., Foster, G. N., Fisher, G. E. J. & Ligertwood, G. L. 1996: Effects of management practices on the carabid faunas of newly established wildflower meadows in southern Scotland. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 139–147.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Eversham, B. C., Roy, D. B. & Telfer, M. G. 1996: Urban, industrial and other manmade sites as analogues of natural habitats for Carabidae. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 149–156.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Eyre, M. D., Lott D. A. & Garside, A. 1996: Assessing the potential for environmental monitoring using ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) with riverside and Scottish data. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 157–163.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Kinnunen, H., Järveläinen, K., Pakkala, T. & Tiainen, J. 1996: The effect of isolation on the occurrence of farmland carabids in a fragmented landscape. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 165–171.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Spence, J. R., Langor, D. W., Niemelä, J., Cárcamo, H. A. & Currie, C. R. 1996: Northern forestry and carabids: the case for concern about old-growth species. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 173–184.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf), ERRATA (print quality pdf)

Luff, M. L.: Use of Carabids as environmental indicators in grasslands and cereals. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 185–195.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Huusela-Veistola, E. 1996: Effects of pesticide use and cultivation techniques on ground beetles (Col., Carabidae) in cereal fields. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 197–205.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Fadl, A., Purvis, G. & Towey, K. 1996: The effect of time of soil cultivation on the incidence of Pterostichus melanarius (Illig.) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in arable land in Ireland. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 207–214.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Purvis, G. & Fadl, A. 1996: Emergence of Carabidae (Coleoptera) from pupation: a technique for studying the "productivity" of carabid habitats. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 215–223.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Thacker, J. R. M. & Dixon, J. 1996: Modelling the within-field recovery of carabid beetles following their suppression by exposure to an insecticide. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 225–231.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Rushton, S., Sanderson, R., Luff, M. & Fuller, R. 1996: Modelling the spatial dynamics of ground beetles (Carabidae) within landscapes. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 233–241.
Abstract, Full text (print quality pdf)

Ball, G. E. 1996: Vignettes of the history of neotropical carabidology. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 5–16.

Development of knowledge of Neotropical carabid taxonomic diversity is illustrated primarily in terms of rate of description of new genera, the pattern of which is paralleled by description of new family-group (tribal-subtribal) taxa. The rate of discovery of the latter is very low now, suggesting approach of an asymptote. New genera have been discovered at a rate of about 11 per decade for the past 40 years. Four periods of descriptive activity are recognized and related both to circumstances that influenced Western European cultural history generally, from 1758 to the present, and to the activities of primarily European specialists on Carabidae.

Back to the top

Erwin, T. R. 1996: Arboreal Beetles of Neotropical Forests: Agra Fabricius, the cayennensis complex (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Lebiini: Calleidina). — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 17–21.

The neotropical carabid genus Agra contains more than 2 000 species. One monophyletic lineage, the cayennnensis group, was selected for phylogenetic analysis to underpin a biogeographic study pertaining to the Amazon Basin. The cayennensis group containing 10 subgroups and more than 150 species, arose and radiated in the basin, subsequently invading Central and Middle America 3 times, and as far as Texas once. The fact that such major radiation occurred within the basin, not only at the species level, but to a higher plain, the subgroup level, forces us to look for evolutionary driving forces that act relatively quickly and at a fine geographic resolution in order to account for the megadiversity found there today.

Back to the top

Galián, J., Prüser, F., De la Rúa, P., Serrano, J. & Mossakowski, D. 1996: Cytological and molecular differences in the Ceroglossus chilensis species complex (Coleoptera: Carabidae). — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 23–30.

Three sympatric forms have been found within the morphospecies Ceroglossus chilensis Esch. through karyotype analysis and characterization of repetitive DNA families. The male chromosome number of these forms is 2n = 28 + XY (form A), 2n = 40 + XY (form B), and 2n = 38 + trivalent (form C). Restriction enzyme analysis of total genomic DNA of form B using EcoRI produces several conspicuous bands corresponding to monomers and dimers of two repetitive DNA families, of about 575 bp and 200 bp respectively; form C has, after total digestion, only one band of 625 bp corresponding to the monomer of a different repetitive DNA family; and form A has no conspicuous band after this treatment. In situ hybridization experiments show that repetitive DNAs are specific for each form and no crossed hybridization is observed. The results suggest that these Ceroglossus forms are actually a complex of sibling species evolving as separate evolutionary and phylogenetic units, whose characterization at the morphological, ecological and geographical levels should be the subject of further investigation.

Back to the top

Kavanaugh, D. H. 1996: Phylogenetic relationships of genus Pelophila Dejean to other basal grade Carabidae (Coleoptera). — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 31–37.

Traditionally, genus Pelophila Dejean has been placed in the tribe Nebriini, along with Nebria Latreille and Leistus Frölich. A phylogenetic analysis of basal grade caraboid lineages, based on 244 characters of adult morphology, suggests that this classification does not reflect accurately the phylogenetic relationships of Pelophila. A clade including the Notiokasiini (Notiokasis Kavanaugh & Nègre), Notiophilini (Notiophilus Dumeril), and Opisthiini (Opisthius Kirby and Paropisthius Casey) is more closely related to a clade including Nebria and Leistus than either clade is to Pelophila. Within supertribe Nebriitae, a new tribe, the Pelophilini, is proposed to include the two known species of Pelophila.

Back to the top

Vogler, A. P. & Kelley, K. C. 1996: At the interface of phylogenetics and ecology: the case of chemical defenses in Cicindella. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 39–47.

The evolutionary ecology of chemical defenses in the tiger beetle genus Cicindela has been investigated by Pearson et al. (Am. Nat. 132, 404–416, 1988), but not without controversy. We re-evaluate some of the conclusions of this paper and the controversial discussions that followed. Problems with the quality and the interpretation of the data, some of which have been identified by previous authors, are seen in two main areas. First, the historical (phylogenetic) analysis relied on the use of a traditional ("Linnean") classification of the genus Cicindela to infer relationships among taxa. This is insufficient to study transformation of characters involved in defensive strategies such as benzaldehyde production, habitat type, and body coloration. Also, it precludes any studies of covariation and association among these characters during the evolution of Cicindela. Second, the types of ecological data that have been used to make inferences about the evolution of defensive strategies are problematic. In particular, the use of "habitat type" may not be appropriate because the various character states have not been specified in the context of predation, and because the habitat type is of questionable relevance to other traits involved in predator defense and escape. We also question previous approaches which used Pearson et al.’s (1988) data to construe chemical defenses as adaptations to particular environmental conditions. We argue that the first problem can be overcome with specific knowledge of phylogenetic relationships of the taxa under study, while resolution of the second problem requires identifying characters that are more relevant to the selective regime experienced by tiger beetles. We conclude that integrating ecological and phylogenetic data in cicindelid and carabid studies will yield stronger evidence for the patterns and processes underlying character change in these groups.

Back to the top

Penev, L. 1996: Large-scale variation in carabid assemblages, with special reference to the local fauna concept. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 49–63.

Thanks to pitfall trapping, carabid beetles form one of the most appropriate groups for comparative studies on community composition and variation, both at local and geographical scales. This paper focuses on the following conceptual points: (1) At a local level, two types of species assemblages can be distinguished, i.e. communities, separated on a habitat basis, and local faunas, defined as a list of species occurring in all habitats at a locality. The concept of a local fauna is intended to link the traditional faunistic phenomena with their possible explanatory variables, both ecological and biogeographical. (2) The environmental factors affecting the assemblage composition and spatial variation at larger geographical scales can be divided into two major groups: regional, caused mainly by historical reasons (isolations, glaciations) and zonal, caused by the recent climatic conditions. (3) The parameters of carabid assemblages can be derived from either species composition or species diversity. On a within-region scale, species composition and its derivatives appear to be more informative in reflecting the environmental gradients in comparison to species diversity. Above questions are illustrated on (i) the basis of literature survey on large-scale variation of ground-beetle communities, and (ii) an analysis of the changes in 61 local faunas of the genus Carabus L. scattered over the Russian Plain in relation to environmental factors.

Back to the top

Desender, K. R. C. 1996: Diversity and dynamics of coastal dune carabids. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 65–75.

Since 1990, populations of carabid beetles are continuously monitored in five coastal dune habitats in Belgium, situated along a transect from seaside marram dunes to inland moss dunes. In five complete year cycles about 14 000 carabids belonging to 76 species have been obtained. At most 50% of the species are continuously present in reproducing populations. The remaining species are only rarely caught, mostly outside of their normal reproductive season, and thus are presumably non-residents or vagrants. Furthermore, observations on wing and flight muscle development and on possible source areas support the hypothesis of accidental immigration rather than of local populations passing through bottlenecks. Many well-established and typical dune indicator species show strong fluctuations in their population dynamics, significantly concordant between different sampling stations and largely explained by climatological variables, either directly or indirectly. This study shows that the use of terrestrial invertebrates as bio-indicators in conservation ecology requires a population level approach.

Back to the top

De Vries, H. H. 1996: Metapopulation structure of Pterostichus lepidus and Olisthopus rotundatus on heathland in the Netherlands: the results from transplant experiments. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 77–84.

A 3-year field experiment tested the suitability of isolated habitat patches for two ground beetle species in the Netherlands. Both species have low dispersal ability and occur at low frequencies in small isolated heathland patches. The results gave no evidence for the presence of unoccupied habitat patches for Olisthopus rotundatus. Successful reproduction of artificially introduced Pterostichus lepidus, however, proved the existence of unoccupied habitat patches for this species. It is concluded that extinction of P. lepidus in isolated habitat patches is only partially balanced by colonization. Hence, P. lepidus occurs in metapopulations with both continuously and discontinuously occupied habitat patches.

Back to the top

Niehues, F.-J., Hockmann, P. & Weber, F. 1996: Genetics and dynamics of a Carabus auronitens metapopulation in the Westphalian Lowlands (Coleoptera, Carabidae). — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 85–96.

In the Westphalian Lowlands (NW Germany), the carabid beetle Carabus auronitens inhabits forests and semi-natural (secondary) woods. Southwest of the city of Münster the frequencies of two alleles of an esterase-encoding gene (Est-1) change continuously by about 90% over a distance of 20 km. Within this cline several local populations, that are only a few hundred meters apart, differ significantly, suggesting that the evolution of the cline is a rather recent event. We propose the following hypotheses to explain these observations: (1) C. auronitens survived the period of nearly complete anthropogenic destruction of woodlands (during Middle Ages and early Modern Times) in the region southwest of Münster in a few small isolated populations; (2) in these refugia, the allele frequencies shifted by random drift in opposite direction (neutrality of the esterase genotypes against selection is supposed); (3) after semi-natural woods had regenerated and forests had grown up the refugial populations expanded and fused to a large metapopulation. We suggest that the cline observed in the Est-1 alleles reflects the continuous dynamics of the newly founded metapopulation. It is shown that in C. auronitens both population growth rates and individual dispersal ability seem to be high enough for an expansion over relatively large distances within a relatively short period.

Back to the top

Chaabane, K., Loreau, M. & Josens, G. 1996: Individual and population energy budgets of Abax ater (Coleoptera, Carabidae). — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 97–108.

For the first time, complete energy budgets were established in a ground-beetle species, Abax ater, for both a "standard" individual (defined as an individual that shows complete development from egg to reproductive adult) under semi-natural conditions and a natural population. A female standard individual consumed 26.7 kJ during its lifetime. Gross (P/C) and net (P/A) production efficiencies decreased with age from 30% and 33%, respectively, in the first larval stage to 9% and 11%, respectively, during the second year in the adult stage. The adult accounted for most of the total individual energy budget (81% of consumption and 75% of production). From data on age-dependent survival and adult population density, the energy flow through a natural population of this species in a near-climax beechwood in Belgium was estimated at 8.1 kJ/m²/year. Larvae predominated in the total population energy budget (51% of consumption and 67% of production). Gross and net production efficiencies, however, remained low (15% and 17%, respectively, overall). Thus, Abax ater is characterized by a high assimilation efficiency, a low production efficiency and a relatively high adult contribution to the total energy flow. These features are well in keeping with the demographic traits of this species, i.e. a great adult longevity, a continuous reproduction, a low fecundity and a high population stability, and mark it out as a K-strategist.

Back to the top

Riecken, U. & Raths, U. 1996: Use of radio telemetry for studying dispersal and habitat use of Carabus coriaceus L. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 109–116.

The use of small radio-transmitters (0.6–0.7 g) for tracing movements of Carabus coriaceus L. in the field is described. Compared to more established methods such as recapture experiments or the use of harmonic radar systems the main advantage of this method is the possibility of using different frequencies to trace and identify several specimens in the same area and at the same time. Transmission ranges of up to 400 m make it possible to detect beetles even when dispersed over a large area. However, the use of this method is currently restricted to very large carabid species which are able to carry these still relatively heavy radio-transmitters. In 1993 and 1994, behaviour and habitat use of C. coriaceus was studied both in a larger forest area and in a small river valley with wet meadows, smaller alder forests and semi-natural brook banks. C. coriaceus showed both diurnal and nocturnal activity, but activity was more frequent at night. In the study area this species has a clear habitat preference for ecotone habitats like forest edges. River near stripes of alder forest can serve as a guide-line for dispersal or for orientation within a habitat pattern.

Back to the top

Mommertz, S., Schauer, C., Kösters, N., Lang, A. & Filser, J. 1996: A comparison of D-Vac suction, fenced and unfenced pitfall trap sampling of epigeal arthropods in agro-ecosystems. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 117–124.

The aim of this study was to compare relative abundance of epigeal arthropods caught with either unfenced pitfall traps, traps within fences or D-Vac suction sampling in arable habitats (two fields and two meadows). From our results we conclude that short-term D-Vac suction sampling is not appropriate for the three taxa Carabidae, Staphylinidae, and Lycosidae because relatively large and heavy individuals are underestimated. Fenced and unfenced traps yielded different estimates of the relative abundance of Carabidae and Staphylinidae: unfenced traps overestimated the percentage of Carabidae present but underestimated the Staphylinidae. The dominance structure of the carabid assemblages at the sampling sites was more similar for the two trapping methods than for the four sites. In arable fields body size seemed to be the main factor in determining the catch, but in meadows the trapping efficiency was possibly influenced by other variables. Additional laboratory experiments were carried out to observe the influence of behaviour on pitfall trap efficiency. Species specific behaviour was shown to bias results even between species of the same genus (Poecilus). We suggest that in arable habitats, fenced pitfall traps should be used at least in addition to unfenced traps. The former allow the standardisation of data to a certain area, whereas the latter are needed to sample large species and to determine activity patterns.

Back to the top

Ashworth, A. C. 1996: The response of arctic Carabidae (Coleoptera) to climate change based on the fossil record of the Quaternary Period. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 125–131.

The response of Carabidae, based on ¹⁴C-dated fossil assemblages, was to track climate change through dispersal and differential survival. Isolation of populations of arctic Carabidae caused by Quaternary climatic oscillations did not lead to enhanced rates of extinction and speciation, as it did in the mammals. Regional extinction of populations occurred as dispersing individuals encountered barriers such as ice sheets. Variation in mtDNA haplotype diversity in the arctic-alpine species Amara alpina (Payk.) in North America demonstrates the importance of climate change, glaciation, and extirpation in determining genetic variation. The future response of Carabidae to climate change will probably be similar to that of the past with the exception that species extinction is expected to be higher because of the additional fragmentation of habitats caused by human activities.

Back to the top

Telfer , M. G. & Eversham, B. C. 1996: Ecology and conservation of heathland Carabidae in eastern England. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 133–138.

The history, ecology and conservation of three distinctive areas of heathland in eastern England are discussed: the Humberhead Levels, the Lincolnshire cover-sand heaths, and the East Anglian Breckland. The biogeographic and habitat affinities of the carabid faunas of the three areas are examined. Breckland is identified as a stronghold for a characteristic and declining carabid fauna. Analysis of the biotope preferences of these carabids reveals the importance of a previously unrecognised and currently unprotected "traditional arable" biotope. Effective carabid conservation, at least in heathlands, must begin with baseline survey for carabids, independent of any pre-existing botanically-defined protected area system.

Back to the top

Blake, S., Foster, G. N., Fisher, G. E. J. & Ligertwood, G. L. 1996: Effects of management practices on the carabid faunas of newly established wildflower meadows in southern Scotland. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 139–147.

The replacement of perennial ryegrass with broad-leaved wildflower swards has been suggested as a means of achieving an increase in diversity, but in order to assess the value of these swards as wildlife habitats, it is necessary to determine how the invertebrate fauna is affected by their establishment and by subsequent management practices. The carabid faunas of nine sites of varying sward type and management practices were analysed in 1989 and 1993. Management had a detrimental effect especially on the larger species, and tended to favour those species preferring drier conditions. The wildflower swards did support a more diverse carabid fauna, but with no sign of any re-establishment of the natural fauna found in unmanaged habitats in the same area. Recolonisation by this fauna, if possible at all, is likely to take considerably longer than five years.

Back to the top

Eversham, B. C., Roy, D. B. & Telfer, M. G. 1996: Urban, industrial and other manmade sites as analogues of natural habitats for Carabidae. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 149–156.

Human activity has destroyed or fragmented seminatural habitats, yet some carabid species have maintained, or even extended, their range. This can partly be explained by their colonisation of manmade habitats. A range of manmade analogues for seminatural habitats exists, which supports rare and threatened carabids. The fauna of manmade sites may be partitioned into ubiquitous and eurytopic species, and habitat specialists. The conservation evaluation of manmade sites is discussed; a method based on the proportion of the regional species-pool of habitat specialists present is proposed. The habitats and management of manmade sites are compared with those of nature reserves.

Back to the top

Eyre, M. D., Lott D. A. & Garside, A. 1996: Assessing the potential for environmental monitoring using ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) with riverside and Scottish data. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 157–163.

Ground beetle survey data were used to produce three habitat classifications; a national and a local riverside classification generated by hand searching and a Scottish classification from a pitfall trap survey. The classifications provided a clear picture of the habitats of the assemblages sampled, even when the data were from a number of sources, and were especially good with data from standardised sampling. Species rarity scores were derived from distribution records from either national or local surveys. These were used to generate site rarity values by summing species scores and dividing by the number of species. These were used as a measure of site quality and provided a mechanism for ranking sites within habitat groups. This methodology worked at the local, regional and national scales and it appears that there is great potential for the use of ground beetle data from structured, standardised surveys in assessing environmental quality.

Back to the top

Kinnunen, H., Järveläinen, K., Pakkala, T. & Tiainen, J. 1996: The effect of isolation on the occurrence of farmland carabids in a fragmented landscape. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 165–171.

The effect of isolation by forest on carabid beetle communities was studied in small patches of farmland in Southern Finland. We divided the studied patches into three categories by isolation and area of farmland in their surroundings. Less individuals and species were caught in small and isolated patches than in non-isolated ones of similar size. The positive correlation between species number in the patch and farmland area in the surrounding matrix was significant in buffers larger than 1 000 m. The proportions of scarce, medium and abundant species in local communities did not depend on isolation. Short-winged open land species were found both in isolated and non-isolated patches. Winged morphs of the dimorphic species Pterostichus melanarius (Ill.) were found in isolated patches in a somewhat greater frequency than in non-isolated fields. Though dispersal by air is possibly the most important way of colonization, we do not exclude the possibility that especially brachypterous individuals may have dispersed anthropocorously, or actively along narrow road verges. On the other hand, the populations may be relicts from times when the forests were more open.

Back to the top

Spence, J. R., Langor, D. W., Niemelä, J., Cárcamo, H. A. & Currie, C. R. 1996: Northern forestry and carabids: the case for concern about old-growth species. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 173–184.

Two studies in western Canada focus on whether carabid species specialize in use of old-growth forest habitats. In montane lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas var. latifolia Engelm.) forest, Calathus advena Lec., Carabus chamissonis Fish., Leistus ferruginosus Mnh., Nebria intermedia V. D., Platynus decentis Say, Pterostichus brevicornis Kby., Pterostichus riparius Dej., Scaphinotus marginatus Fisch. and Trechus chalybeus Dej. are common in post-rotation age forest with no history of harvesting, but scarce in or absent from regenerating sites, even 27 years after harvest. Residual populations of old-growth specialists in uncut fragments are exposed to increased contact with habitat generalists and open-habitat specialists from surrounding cut-overs and regenerating forests. Populations of several species of old-growth specialists in lodgepole pine live also in younger, fire-origin stands in boreal aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux.) stands of the "mixedwood" zone. We hypothesize that they have recolonized from the large surrounding tracts of unburned residual forest remaining after fire. Thus, landscape-scale effects, resulting in changes in regional population size, may alter the probability of species retention in old-growth fragments, and of the recolonization of cut-blocks by particular species characteristic of old-growth.

Back to the top

Luff, M. L. 1996: Use of Carabids as environmental indicators in grasslands and cereals. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 185–195.

Recent work on Carabidae of grasslands and cereals in northern Europe is summarised. In cereals, the biology and role of individual carabids in pest management has been studied in some detail. Grassland studies have concentrated more on classifying the assemblages present, and relating the fauna to environmental conditions and vegetation management. This information is used in the ecological evaluation of grassland habitats. Recent works emphasize landscape features and pattern in the agricultural environment. Examples are given of the author's studies on: pitfall trapping for assessing carabid assemblages; management effects on grassland carabids; multivariate analyses of carabids in UK cereals. A prime need is for further work on individual carabid biologies and population dynamics.

Back to the top

Huusela-Veistola, E. 1996: Effects of pesticide use and cultivation techniques on ground beetles (Col., Carabidae) in cereal fields. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 197–205.

The effects of two pesticide regimes (conventional, reduced) and two types of cultivation systems (customary, integrated farming practice) on ground beetles were studied in a large-scale field experiment. Plots on conventional pesticide regime were sprayed with herbicide, insecticide, fungicide and growth regulator annually. The plots on reduced pesticide regime were treated only when the control threshold was exceeded, i.e. in 1992 with a selective insecticide (pirimicarb) and in 1994 with a herbicide. The numbers of ground beetles in pitfalls differed between years and pesticide use regimes. In 1992, the broad-spectrum insecticide, dimethoate, reduced the number of Carabidae more than pirimicarb, but the effect was short, and the trend was opposite in late summer and in total catches. The number of Carabidae in pitfalls was significantly lower in the dimethoate-treated plots than in the non-treated plots in 1993 and 1994. The difference was obvious for four weeks after spraying. Prophylactic pesticide use decreased the abundance of ground beetles remarkably. However, pesticides affected only the numbers of spring (early season) species, because their active period occurred during application, the numbers returned to normal after three or four weeks, probably due to immigration from untreated areas. Effects on species dominant in autumn were not observed because these species were not exposed directly to pesticide treatments. During a period of three years, no differences were found in the numbers of ground beetles between the two cultivation systems tested.

Back to the top

Fadl, A., Purvis, G. & Towey, K. 1996: The effect of time of soil cultivation on the incidence of Pterostichus melanarius (Illig.) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in arable land in Ireland. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 207–214.

The life cycle and seasonal adult activity patterns of Pterostichus melanarius (Illig.) in Ireland are described. Pitfall trap catches are analysed using a multiple linear regression model to test the hypothesis that time of soil cultivation influences the breeding success and population production of this species. Whilst total seasonal catches were not strongly influenced by soil cultivation history, catches made during the main emergence phase of the new generation were lower in spring cultivated fields compared with uncultivated or autumn cultivated fields. The analysis suggests that spring soil cultivation reduces larval/pupal survival but that rapid inter-field dispersal by adult P. melanarius following emergence from pupation masks the effect of soil cultivation on individual fields.

Back to the top

Purvis, G. & Fadl, A. 1996: Emergence of Carabidae (Coleoptera) from pupation: a technique for studying the "productivity" of carabid habitats. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 215–223.

An emergence arena method for estimation of within-field carabid recruitment from pupation is described. Use of the method is illustrated in a field plot experiment to assess the effect of time of soil cultivation on carabid survival in arable land. The population "productivity" of Pterostichus melanarius (Illig.), a larval overwinterer in arable fields, was found to be reduced by 80% following spring tillage operations. In contrast, Bembidion lampros (Herbst.), an adult overwinterer in field margins, showed decreased emergence density on winter-sown plots. The value of the method in quantitative investigation of populations in fragmented habitats is discussed.

Back to the top

Thacker, J. R. M. & Dixon, J. 1996: Modelling the within-field recovery of carabid beetles following their suppression by exposure to an insecticide. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 225–231.

A simple random-movement diffusion model was used to simulate the recovery of ground beetles following their suppression by exposure to the organophosphorus insecticide dimethoate in a field of winter wheat at flowering. The output from the model was compared to a linear model of the recovery process that was derived from field collected data and also to published data on the daily rates of movement of ground beetles. The diffusion model gave the best fit to the field collected data at beetle movement rates that were similar to published values. The results of our approach show how the recovery process may be simulated on a computer in addition to demonstrating how the recovery of ground beetles may be mediated by their random movement.

Back to the top

Rushton, S., Sanderson, R., Luff, M. & Fuller, R. 1996: Modelling the spatial dynamics of ground beetles (Carabidae) within landscapes. — Ann. Zool. Fennici 33: 233–241.

A generalised matrix model for analysing the spatial dynamics of ground beetle populations in landscape is described. The model links simple population dynamics models for stage structured populations and their spatial distributions. The model assumes that individual populations have their own internal dynamics, but interact with each other through the dispersal of animals between them.The model consists of three components. i) age structured models describing dynamics of individual populations, ii) functional relationships linking life history characteristics to the underlying environments, and iii) a spatial process model linking populations in space.The utility of the model is assessed by analysis of the dynamics and spread of Leistus rufomarginatus through the United Kingdom over the last 30 years: the model was reasonably accurate in predicting the geographical spread of this species. Whilst the model provides only a general framework, and does not incorporate all biotic processes (e.g. inter-specific competition) it could readily be modified to model the distribution and spread of many other invertebrate species.

Back to the top