Materials to the knowledge of beetles (Coleoptera) of aquatic habitats in the Suwalski Landscape Park

Abstract

The authors discuss the material collected in the Suwalski Landscape Park in the years 2009 and 2011-2013, almost exclusively obtained from standing waters. At 29 study sites, 1 204 individuals representing 109 species from 12 families were caught, of which 55 species have been recorded for the first time in the examined area. The most valuable were: Gyrinus distinctus, Haliplus fulvicollis, H. variegatus, Ilybius erichsoni, Graphoderus austriacus, Hydroporus glabriusculus, H. incognitus, Hydrochus ignicollis, H. megaphallus, Spercheus emarginatus, Anacaena globulus, Berosus frontifoveatus, Enochrus melanocephalus, Hydrophilus aterrimus, Cercyon quisquilius, C. unipunctatus, Limnebius aluta, Dryops anglicanus, Heterocerus fenestratus and Cyphon pubescens. The most species were found in small water bodies and lakes. The collected material was ecologically diversified; dominating groups were eurytopes as well as tyrphobionts and tyrphophiles, rheophilous species were also numerous. Taking into consideration data discussed in this paper and literature as well as the lack of complex studies, in waters of the Suwalski Landscape Park 139 beetle species have been recorded so far, of which 136 species represent true aquatic beetles (the authors provide the list of them). This number is similar or even higher than the one recorded in well studied, the most valuable and diversified habitats in protected areas of Poland. The Suwalski Landscape Park is also the place of occurrence of many species under protection, from the Red List of Animals in Poland or regarded as rarely occurring in Poland. It is also a refuge of many seriously threatened species in neighbouring countries. This confirms a great, overregional role of this area in the protection of aquatic beetles and their habitats.