Makarov K.V.1, Gusarov V.I.2, Makarova O.L.3, Bizin M.S.3, Nekhaeva A.A.3 2018. The first data on the beetles (Coleoptera) of the High Arctic Shokalsky Island (northern Gydan, Kara Sea), 73°N // Russian Entomol. J. Vol.27. No.4: 387–398 [in English].
1 Zoology and Ecology Department, Moscow Pedagogical State University, Kibalchicha str. 6, Bld. 3, Moscow 129164 Russia. E-mail: kvmac@inbox.ru
2 Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1172 Blindern NO-0318 Oslo Norway. E-mail: vladimir.gusarov@nhm.uio.no
3 A.N. Severtsov Institute of ecology and evolution Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 33, Moscow 119071 Russia. E-mail: ol_makarova@mail.ru , microtus@list.ru , adrealinea@gmail.com
doi: 10.15298/rusentj.27.4.06
ABSTRACT. The beetle fauna of the Shokalsky Island (Kara Sea) was surveyed. The island is situated at 73°N in the extreme North of the West Siberian sector of the Arctic. Thirteen beetle species from six families were recorded (Staphylinidae, 5 species; Dytiscidae, 3; Carabidae, 2; Helophoridae, 1; Silphidae, 1; Chrysomelidae, 1). The set of families recorded on Shokalsky is similar to those known from other sectors of the High Arctic. At species level the fauna of Shokalsky is most similar to that of the northern Taymyr Peninsula. Staphylinids dominate in almost all studied biotopes, both in abundance and species diversity. Arctic and arctic-boreal-montane species constitute 77% of the total fauna indicating that most species are specialized cryophiles. Flight capability is reduced in seven out of thirteen recorded species, and three species (Pterostichus pinguedineus (Esch., 1823), Micralymma dicksoni (Mäklin, 1878), Chrysolina septentrionalis (Mén., 1851)) are completely wingless. Dominance of flightless species in the fauna suggests their continuous presence in the island at least since the late Pleistocene.
KEY WORDS: Coleoptera, taxonomic diversity, geographical range, tundra, arctic species, flight capability, age of fauna.