Saproxylic beetles (Insecta, Coleoptera) of Greece: A synthesis of diversity, biogeography and conservation challenges, with the first national checklist

Saproxylic Coleoptera are beetles that depend on, or contribute to, the decomposition of dead wood. They are often used as indicators of forest quality and attract substantial conservation interest. Saproxylic beetles of Greece have never been the focus of systematic research. Here, we present the first comprehensive synthesis of Greek saproxylic Coleoptera, describe biogeographical patterns and assess their conservation status and threats. By collating published records, museum specimens and evaluations from the IUCN and the forthcoming Greek Red List of Endangered Species, we compiled a checklist of 1,548 species, 112 of which are endemic to Greece. Forty-two species (2.6%) are classified as threatened, whereas more than half (867) remain unevaluated at both the European and national levels, underscoring pronounced knowledge gaps. The main pressures on threatened taxa arise from land-use change (urban expansion, road construction, agricultural intensification) and logging practices that diminish dead-wood habitats. We identify critical research priorities in taxonomy, distribution mapping and species ecology and highlight the importance of quantifying dead-wood resources across Greek forests. Integrating these data into national conservation planning is essential to safeguard Greece’s unique saproxylic beetle assemblages and the ecological functions they support. We provide a checklist of Greek saproxylic beetles comprising: 1,548 species, of which 112 are endemics and 681 are assessed species; Endemism is concentrated in southern Greece (especially Crete and the Peloponnese), whereas European/boreal-associated species are more common in northern Greece; Some 64% of assessed endemics are threatened, but many species remain Not Evaluated or are classified as Data Deficient, highlighting major knowledge gaps; Future research should treat Greek saproxylic beetles as a unified research and conservation subject, with particular emphasis on closing taxonomic, distributional and bionomic knowledge shortfalls; This synthesis places Greek saproxylic beetle diversity in the broader European conservation context.