Fauna of Carabidae (Coleoptera: Insecta) in the forest ecosystems of the Sursky state nature sanctuary (European Russia)

An analysis of the fauna and abundance of Carabidae inhabiting small steppe areas within the Sursky State Nature Sanctuary (Ulyanovsk Region, European Russia) has been conducted. The study focused on forest ecosystems within the protected area. A total of 32 forest sites were surveyed. In total, 92 species of ground beetles were recorded, amounting to 6,229 specimens. The most frequently encountered species were Pterostichus niger, P. oblongopunctatus, P. melanarius, Calathus micropterus, and Oxypselaphus obscurus. Carabus hortensis and Carabus glabratus were also locally very abundant. Most of the recorded species are widespread and common in the forests of the East European Plain. Among the species listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation, Calosoma sycophanta was identified. A reduced abundance of several mesohygrophilous species—typically common in mixed and broadleaf forests of more western regions—was observed. Carabus glabratus was associated with a moist alder-dominated site. Forest sites with similar external features of mixed forests differed significantly in their species composition of ground beetles.