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Staphylinidae from Memmert Island (German Bight)

(sampled with Pitfall & Colour Traps 1984-1986)

Summary and correction of the list of species from Rose (1994) - Diploma thesis, University Oldenburg, 74pp.

Zur Besiedlung der jungen Düneninsel Memmert durch Kurzflügler (Coleoptera; Staphylinidae)

[Colonization of the young dune island Memmert by staphylinid beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)]

Abstract: Between 1984 and 1986, 5874 staphylinid specimens out of 159 species were caught in pitfall traps and colour dishes on Memmert island, 17 of which had not been recorded on the old East Frisian Islands. The most abundant species were Falagria sulcatula, Drusilla canaliculata, and Atheta fungi. Phenologies of these and some other species are shown. Ten species are typical coastal inhabitants, concerning Carpelimus foveolatus, Anotylus maritimus, Bledius spectabilis, Bl. fergussoni, Bl. subniger, Philonthus salinus, Gabrius keysianus, Quedius simplicifrons, Brundinia marina, and Atheta varendorffiana. Four main habitats were investigated, of which the typical grey dunes proved to be richest in species (102 spp. in pitfall traps), followed by ruderal grey dunes (97), the reeds (44) and the upper salt marshes (34).

Furthermore size structures of the staphylinidocenoses on Memmert island were examined. Small species are better represented in the reeds compared to the other investigated habitats. In addition smaller species are stronger represented on Memmert compared to Mellum island. This could be seen in context with the further stage of succession and hence greater stability of Memmert as well as it could be linked to reduced comparability of the two investigations.

Mostly euryoecious species and inhabitants of marine influenced environments were successful in colonization. Information on assumed hydrophilous/xerophilous behaviour for the mainland (Koch 1988) of Gyrohypnus angustatus, Othius subuliformis, Philonthus marginatus, Gabrius keysianus, Ocypus ater, Heterothops quadripunctulus, Quedius simplicifrons, Mycetoporus splendidus, Sepedophilus nigripennis, Tachyporus hypnorum, Tachinus signatus, Aloconota gregaria, Geostiba circellaris, and Dinaraea angustula proved to be incorrect for Memmert island.

On three staphylinid species parasitic Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) were found. Determination revealed Quedius persimilis to be a new host for Symplectromyces vulgaris; the latter however is known to live parasitic on other Quedius-spp.

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List of species

Table 3: List of staphylinid species (excl. Scaphidiinae & Pselaphinae) found at Memmert island from 1984 to 1986 [PT: pitfall traps, CT: colour traps - D: typical grey dunes (young tertiary dunes), RD: ruderal grey dunes, R: reeds (esp. Phragmites) S: upper salt marsh - x: sparse in this area, 1: subrecedent, 2: recedent, 3: subdominant, 4: dominant, 5: eudominant {for dominances only catches from pitfall traps}]