Variation on ground-beetle communities (Coleoptera) in altitude gradient on Belasica Mt., Republic of North Macedonia

Authors

  • Aleksandra Cvetkovska-Gjorgjievska Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Science and mathematics, SS. Cyril and Methodius University, Arhmedova 3, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
  • Dana Prelić Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Science and mathematics, SS. Cyril and Methodius University, Arhmedova 3, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
  • Slavčo Hristovski Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Science and mathematics, SS. Cyril and Methodius University, Arhmedova 3, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59194/MJEE22242115cgj

Keywords:

Carabidae, vertical gradient, mountain, distribution and ecology pattern

Abstract

Community structure of ground-beetles along altitudinal gradient on a Submediterranean mountain
in North Macedonia, bordered with Bulgaria and Greece was studied. The aim was to determine whether
altitude influences the distribution and ecology pattern of ground-beetle community.
The research was carried out in 14 localities covering the main vegetation types on northern slopes of
Belasica Mountain, by using pitfall traps.
The ground-beetle fauna consisted of 38 taxa and 7 subfamilies. Species richness and abundance of
ground-beetles did not change significantly with increasing altitude and consequently with differences of
vegetation type. But, the overall pattern of species diversity and homogeneity showed significant decrease
towards higher altitudes indicating disruption of the community stability and presence of unfavorable
conditions.
This study gives a preliminary analysis of the climatic mechanisms affecting ground beetle communities
and indicates possible sensitiveness towards environmental changes along altitudinal gradient on Belasica
Mountain.

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Published

2022-12-27

How to Cite

Cvetkovska-Gjorgjievska, A., Prelić, D., & Hristovski, S. (2022). Variation on ground-beetle communities (Coleoptera) in altitude gradient on Belasica Mt., Republic of North Macedonia. Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment, 24(2), 115–125. https://doi.org/10.59194/MJEE22242115cgj

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 2 (2022): Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2022 Aleksandra Cvetkovska-Gjorgjievska, Dana Prelić, Slavčo Hristovski

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Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.