FIRST RECORD OF THE RARE AND THREATENED SAPROXYLIC BEETLE RHYSODES SULCATUS (FABRICIUS, 1787) IN MONTENEGRO (COLEOPTERA RHYSODIDAE) AND IMPLICATION FOR HABITAT CONSERVATION

Parisi F. - First record of the rare and threatened saproxylic beetle Rhysodes sulcatus (Fabricius, 1787) in Montenegro (Coleoptera Rhysodidae) and implication for habitat conservation. The occurrence of Wrinkled Bark Beetle Rhysodes sulcatus Fabricius, 1787 (Coleoptera: Rhysodidae), a rare and threatened saproxylic beetle of primordial and old-growth forests in the Palearctic region, is reported for Montenegro. The species has a discontinuous and localized distribution in the Alpine region, and is included in Habitat Directive and in the risk categories of the IUCN red list for saproxylic beetles. Rhysodes sulcatus was found in the Biogradska Gora National Park, in the north-western part of the Bjelasica mountain range in the Dinaric Alps (Montenegro), during September 2021 while surveying the beetle fauna in a old-growth beech forests at about 1,084 m elevation. This finding extends its known distribution into Alpine region and further confirms the important biogeographical role of this mountainous territory. I discuss distribution and conservation issues and provide recommended conservation measures that may be useful for protecting many other saproxylic beetles (e.g., increase of large deadwood masses). Key Words: Biogradska Gora National park, Bjelasica mountain, Habitat Directive, Primordial forests forest, Wrinkled Bark Beetle