Zróżnicowanie wielkości ciała wybranych gatunków biegaczowatych w ekosystemach leśnych Puszczy Piskiej zaburzonych przez huragan w 2002 roku

Intraspecific differentiation in body size was investigated for Carabus arcensis, C. violaceus and Pterostichus niger populations inhabiting pine forests disturbed by the hurricane and non−disturbed ones. Post−hurri−cane stands were localized in Szast Reference Forest (Pisz Forest District, NE Poland) disturbed by the hurricane in July 2002 and left "untouched" as an experimental area. Non−affected stands were set in Maskulińskie Forest District (NE Poland). Beetles were sampled using pitfall traps. The hurricane contributed to significant reduction in both C. arcensis and C. violaceus body length. However, an opposite trend was observed for P. niger, which increased considerably in body size in disturbed stands compared to control ones. The most pronounced changes were observed in 2007. Differences in habitat preferences and food resources utilization of C. arcensis, C. violaceus and P. niger are discussed.