Microhabitat preference of sympatric Hydraena Kugelann, 1794 species (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) in a low-order forest stream

ABSTRACT

Aim of this study was to investigate the presence and distribution of Hydraenidae in relation to selected abiotic parameters in a single, uniform riffle of the Caramagna Stream (northwestern Italy). Six species belonging to the genus of Hydraena Kugelann, 1794 were found (H. andreinii D'Orchymont, 1934, H. subimpressa Rey, 1885, H. assimilis Rey, 1885, H. heterogyna Bedel, 1898, H. truncata Rey, 1884 and H. devillei Ganglbauer, 1901), with evident niche preferences. Our study provided interesting information about ecological requirements of minute moss beetles at small-scale and evidenced that maintaining elevate habitat diversity is essential to preserve high species abundance at local scale.

KEYWORDS:

• Coleoptera
• Hydraenidae
• Hydraena
• ecology
• micro-distribution
• northwestern Italy
• Apennine

Acknowledgements

This paper is dedicated to the memory of Giorgio Vittore Ferro.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.