Contribution to the knowledge of the beetles (Coleoptera) of the Mateřídoušková step Brod significant landscape component near Příbram (Central Bohemia)

Abstract: The results of a short-term faunistic survey of beetles (Coleoptera) of the significant landscape component Mateřídoušková step Brod near Příbram in Central Bohemia (Czech Republic) are presented. The locality represents a remnant of a former mine shaft, and is situated in an area of industrial brownfields. The study area covers only about 1.8 ha of the significant landscape component and is important mainly for its butterfly fauna. Today, the area is covered with a dry steppe habitat with scattered trees and shrubs. The main habitat management activity is grazing by sheep. The beetle fauna was surveyed from 2007 to 2017. In total, we confirmed 276 species of beetles from 28 families. We observed these rare or protected species: Agrilus subauratus Gebler, 1833, Coraebus elatus (Fabricius, 1787) (both Buprestidae), Brachinus crepitans (Linnaeus, 1758) (Carabidae), Oxythyrea funesta (Poda von Neuhaus, 1761) (Scarabaeidae), Coptocephala rubicunda (Laicharting, 1781) (Chrysomelidae). Due to a small area and relative habitat homogeneity, the species richness is relatively low compared to larger protected areas nearby. However, the locality hosts several xerothermophilous beetle species and it is important for their metapopulation dynamics in steppe habitats around the town of Příbram.

Key words: Czech Republic, Bohemia, faunistics, checklist, species diversity, brownfield