Evaluation of ecological niches of abundant species of Poecilus and Pterostichus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in forests of steppe zone of Ukraine

This article analyses abundances of seven Poecilus and Pterostichus species sampled from 836 forest sites located in five geographical regions of the steppe zone of Ukraine. The abundances are analysed in relation to eight forest conditions. New information about associations of the following five species was found. Poecilus versicolor was most abundant in sparse forest sites and on moist sandy soil. Pterostichus melanarius reached its maximum abundance on sites with a thick litter layer, mesohygrophilous condition, clay soils and a sparse herbaceous layer. Pterostichus niger reached maximum abundance in forests with mesohygrophilous and hygrophilous conditions and on sandy loam soils. Abundance of Pterostichus oblongopunctatus was at the highest on sites with a closed tree canopy, a thin litter layer and loamy soils of average salinity. Pterostichus ovoideus was most abundant in forests with low to average litter depth, hygrophilous conditions and loamy soils oflow to average salinity. For Poecilus sericeus and Poecilus cupreus the results ofthis study agreed with the published information.