Abundance and species structure of dung beetles in the regeneration cycle of scots pine stands in Człuchów forest (Pomeranian lake district)

The aim of the study was to analyse the changes in abundance and species composition of dung beetles (coprophagous Scarabaeoidea) inhabiting Scots pine stands in various stage of the development. Beetles were collected in baited traps in Cz\luchów Forest, Pomeranian Lake District (NW Paland). In total we collected 87,596 specimens representing 41 species (tab. 2). The structure of dung beetle communities inhabiting analysed Scots pine stands changes in the course of the forest developmental cycle. Lands adjoining to a forest, clear-cut areas and plantations are inhabited by heliophilous communities of dung beetles, with superdominant species Trypocopris vernalis and dominant species such as Anoplotrupes stercorosus, Aphodius pedellus, Euorodalus coenosus and Chilothorax distinctus (tab. 2, fig. 5a). Thicket stage, pole timber stage, and the mature stand are inhabited by umbrophilous dung beetle communities characteristic for pine stands, with superdominant species Anoplotrupes stercorosus and dominant species Trypocopris vernalis (tab. 2, fig. 5b). At thicket stage the number of dung beetles species is dramatically reduced in comparison to other developmental stages (fig. 3). Moreover, a fundamental change in species composition is observed.