engleski

Diversity of aquatic insects (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha, Gerromorpha and Coleoptera: Hydradephaga, Hydrophilidae)in the karst area of Gorski kotar, Croatia

The aim of this study was to determine aquatic insect (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha, Gerromorpha and Coleoptera: Hydradephaga, Hydrophilidae) fauna in two temporary and two permanent ponds and to relate assemblage structure, abundance and diversity with respect to hydroperiod, habitat size, shading of ponds and altitude. Field work was conducted out in four karst ponds in the municipality of Mrkopalj (Gorski kotar) from June to September 2005. Altogether, 247 specimens belonging to 24 species of water bugs and beetles were collected. A large number of species was recorded in the Sungerski lug pond (S1) while great species diversity in relation to abundance was recorded for the Sunger pond (S2). The occurrence of Anacena limbata and Anacena lutescens from the family Hydrophilidae and Hydroporus melanarius from the family Dytiscidae is an important faunistic result, because they are new to the fauna of Croatia. According to the results of our study, water bugs and beetles prefer large, permanent, open ponds at a lower altitude. The proportion of species differed between temporary and permanent ponds, and temporary and small ponds (S2) had especially diverse fauna of aquatic insects.

aquatic Coleoptera; diversity; karst ponds; Gorski kotar

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