From climate zone to microhabitat—environmental factors affecting the coastal distribution of tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) in the south-eastern European biodiversity hotspot

Abstract

BackgroundTiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) are predatory insects usually occurring in various sandy habitats. In south-eastern Europe, especially in lowland areas located close to the sea coast, the diversity of Cicindelidae is one of the highest in the Palaearctic realm. Although previous studies conducted in different areas of the world show that many species are habitat specialists, unfortunately little is known about environmental factors affecting the diversity and distribution of tiger beetles in this region.Material and MethodsHabitat preferences for 12 tiger beetles taxa were analysed. Over 100 samples collected in eight countries located in coastal areas of the Black and Mediterranean Seas were studied, for which climate data, macrohabitat types, and soil parameters (soil humidity, salinity, pH, and structure) were investigated.ResultsMost studied Cicindelidae were characterised by narrow or very narrow habitat specialisation and did not co-occur with other ones, including 11 taxa found as habitat specialists occurring only in one or two types of macrohabitat. The most eurythopic species wasCalomera littoralis nemoraliswhich occupied four macrohabitat types. The climatic zone, altitude, and humidity were found as the most important factors in the distribution of the studied tiger beetle species. Salt marshes and sandy sea beaches were noted as the most diverse macrohabitat types.DiscussionTiger beetle fauna of south-eastern Europe consists mainly of habitat specialists sensitive to environmental changes, which makes these beetles perfect bioindicators. Moreover, as a great number of studied Cicindelidae taxa occur in habitats which are under a significant human impact, we suggest that in the studied area the group can be successfully used as a flagship taxon for insect and nature conservation.

Tiger beetles (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) of Northern Mindanao region (Philippines): checklist, distributional maps, and habitats

“…Among the epigeic Cicindelidae only Cylindera viduata, Prothyma heteromallicollis heteromallicollis, and some Lophyra striolata tenuiscripta were noted as forest beetles occupying different sandy areas. Our data from Northern Mindanao region confirm observations both from other regions of Mindanao (Cabras et al 2016b;Cabras and Wiesner 2016;Medina 2020;Medina et al 2020;Pepito et al 2020) and different parts of the world including e.g., some regions of North America (Pearson et al 1997), Africa (Jaskuła 2015;; Jaskuła and Rewicz 2015; Jaskuła and Płociennik 2020), Asia (Dangalle et al 2014) or Europe (Jaskuła 2011;Jaskuła et al 2019), as tiger beetles are known to prefer riverine habitats not only because of adequate water and food resources but also for protection from predators and human disturbances (Bhargav and Uniyal 2008). In many regions of the world the highest diversity and species richness of epigeic tiger beetles are noted mostly on lowland areas that had a variety of habitats such as coastal areas, river banks, grasslands, and sand dunes attractive for tiger beetles (e.g., Pearson and Cassola 1992;Pearson et al 1997;Jaskuła 2011Jaskuła , 2015Dangalle et al 2014;Jaskuła et al 2019;Jaskuła and Płociennik 2020).…”

“…Our data from Northern Mindanao region confirm observations both from other regions of Mindanao ( Cabras et al 2016b ; Cabras and Wiesner 2016 ; Medina 2020 ; Medina et al 2020; Pepito et al 2020 ) and different parts of the world including e.g., some regions of North America ( Pearson et al 1997 ), Africa ( Jaskuła 2015 ; Jaskuła et al 2015 ; Jaskuła and Rewicz 2015 ; Jaskuła and Płociennik 2020), Asia ( Dangalle et al 2014 ) or Europe ( Jaskuła 2011 ; Jaskuła et al 2019 ), as tiger beetles are known to prefer riverine habitats not only because of adequate water and food resources but also for protection from predators and human disturbances ( Bhargav and Uniyal 2008 ). In many regions of the world the highest diversity and species richness of epigeic tiger beetles are noted mostly on lowland areas that had a variety of habitats such as coastal areas, river banks, grasslands, and sand dunes attractive for tiger beetles (e.g., Pearson and Cassola 1992 ; Pearson et al 1997 ; Jaskuła 2011 , 2015 ; Dangalle et al 2014 ; Jaskuła et al 2019 ; Jaskuła and Płociennik 2020). On the other hand, in the tropical regions large number of Cicindelidae are typical arboreal taxa (e.g., Wiesner 1992 ; Pearson and Vogler 2001 ; Moravec 2007 ; Dangalle 2018 ) and large forests, especially natural ones, are characterized by high species diversity of such tiger beetles.…”

Contribution to the Study of Diversity, Distribution, and Abundance of Insect Fauna in Salt Wetlands of Setif Region, Algeria

“…Although five common genera, Aphaenogaster, Cataglyphis, Camponotus, Tetramorium sp., and Messor, were limited to the Sebkha edge and the Sebkha interior, they occurred in most abundance of the transect 2, indicating that the vegetation and soil type might act as an environmental factor for their distribution. e fifteen insect taxa detected as rare species with unique occurrence in the transect 2 or 3 demonstrated high habitat specificity according to [35,36].…”

“…On the other hand, the transect 1 shows high diversity mainly due to the low soil salinity and high-density plants, which constitute one of the most restricting factors for the insect fauna, leading to highest abundances and richness species, which is composed of more than one species and other insect taxa and dominated by Coleoptera and Hemiptera families [36].…”

Alien and native tree species having extrafloral nectaries as favorite hunting area for arboreal endemic Philippine tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) in human‐disturbed habitat in Lanao del Sur Province, Mindanao, Philippines

“…Generally it is known that cicindelids are insects with narrow or even very narrow habitat specialization (e.g., Freitag, 1979; Ganeshaiah & Belavadi, 1986; Jaskuła, 2011, 2015; Jaskuła & Płóciennik, 2020; Jaskuła et al., 2019; Knisley & Pearson, 1984; Pearson, 1984; Satoh & Hori, 2005; Satoh et al., 2006; Schultz & Hadley, 1987; Zerm & Adis, 2001). This specialization makes the group very sensitive for environmental changes especially resulting from human activity (Arndt et al., 2005; Knisley, 2010; Knisley and Hill, 1992).…”