Species composition and zoogeography of the rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) of raised bogs of Belarus

Abstract

A review of Staphylinidae known from peat bogs of Belarus is presented with data on their distribution at various sites. The staphylinid fauna, as reported here, includes 66 species, 33 genera, and 10 subfamilies. The results showed a low species richness of rove beetles and a high occurrence of a small number of species. The regional zoogeography and composition of rove beetles in the Belarusian peat bogs are examined, and species are grouped in five main zoogeographical complexes and 7 chorotypes, reflecting their distribution. Most species had a European (26.15 %), Holarctic (21.53 %) and also Sibero-European (18.46 %) distribution. The Belarusian peat bogs are important ecosystems for survival of boreal species, including cold adapted beetles occurring in more southern latitudes. These includ specialized inhabitants of peat bogs: Ischnosoma bergrothi, Gymnusa brevicornis, Euaesthetus laeviusculus and Atheta arctica. The high proportion of boreal and boreo-montane species in the recent Belarusian peat bogs fauna clearly reflects its great proximity to cold habitats.