Effects of abiotic factors on co-occurringCarabus(Coleoptera: Carabidae) species

The members of the genusCarabusare among the most intensively studied beetle taxa, but many aspects of their autecology are still unexplored. We aimed to study the relationship between measured abiotic parameters and the spatial and temporal distribution of signature carabid species.Carabusassemblages were sampled by pitfalls at six sites belonging to two nearby locations, both forest habitats: in valley and in hill-top position. The sites showed variation in microclimatic and soil characteristics, to which the seven species caught showed specific spatial associations.Carabus scheidleriandC. coriaceuswere ubiquitists, occurring at all sites. The habitat specialistC. violaceus germariindicated valley sites with high humidity, lower temperature, limy soil and higher pH, whereas the other specialists,C. nemoralisandC. convexuswere strongly associated with the dry, warm, more acidic hill habitat. Remaining species were associated with specific sites and environmental features. The species also exhibited specific phenological patterns corresponding with their habitat preference. Hill habitat species exhibited peak activity density during the hottest summer period, whereas most other species had an activity depression during that period. The results suggest that althoughCarabusactivity density patterns are species specific, they are largely affected by temperature both spatially and temporally.

Automated summary

The study focused on the relationship between measured abiotic parameters and the spatial and temporal distribution of signature carabid species in the genus Carabus. Different Carabus species showed specific spatial associations with varying environmental characteristics, exhibiting unique phenological patterns corresponding with habitat preferences. The results suggest that Carabus activity density patterns are largely affected by temperature both spatially and temporally, with species-specific variations.