carrionbeetleslichtenbeek

Study Extent

Lichtenbeek Estate, near Oosterbeek, Province of Gelderland, the Netherlands: two one-week sampling periods, exactly 40 years apart (1982 and 2022), using c. 20 baited pitfall traps for Coleoptera: Leiodidae and Silphidae.

Sampling

All specimens of all Silphidae and Cholevinae species were counted, tabulated, and compared in PAST 4.11 (Hammer et al. 2001). To estimate biomass, based on Schilthuizen and Vallenduuk (1998) and an assumed specific weight similar to that of water, we used an average volume of Silphidae of 3 x 4 x 12 mm = 144 mg and of Cholevinae of 1.5 x 2 x 4 mm = 12 mg. In 1982 and 2022 we collected 1151 and 1523 individuals, respectively, from a total of 9 Silphidae and 16 Cholevinae species. Not all species were found in both years. In 1982 (21 species found), one silphid (Silpha tristis) and three cholevines (Catops chrysomeloides, Catops kirbyi, and Catops subfuscus) were found that were not found in 2022, and in 2022 (20 species found), two silphids (Silpha obscura and Oiceoptoma thoracicum) and three cholevines (Catops neglectus, Choleva sp., and Ptomaphagus subvillosus) were found that were not found in 1982. Margalef’s species diversity index (Clifford and Stephenson 1975) was 2.696 in 1982 and 2.729 in 2022, and Buzas & Gibson’s evenness (Buzas and Gibson 1969) was 0.444 and 0.213 in 1982 and 2022, respectively. The estimated biomass was 86.412 g and 82.824 g in 1982 and 2022, respectively.

Method steps

1. n.a

Species-level identifications for Coleoptera: Leiodidae, Silphidae

1. Leiodidae
   common name: round fungus beetles rank: family
2. Silphidae
   common name: carrion beetles rank: family

Lichtenbeek estate, Oosterbeek, Prov. Gelderland, the Netherlands