Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 29-30/2. (2010)
Zoology
FAUNISTIC AND ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON THE CHRYSOMELIDAE (COLEOPTERA) FAMILY IN THE UPPER BASIN OF THE MURE§ RIVER WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE REPRESENTATION OF THE CHRYSOMELID SUBFAMILIES WITHIN THE RESEARCHED HABITATS Alexandru CRISAN1, Stefan BÁLINT2 TJniversitatea Babes-Bolyai Cluj-Napoca, str. Mihail Kogálniceanu nr. 1, RO-400084 Cluj-Napoca, Románia 1 Liceul Teoretic Bolyai Farkas Tárgu-Mure$, str. Bolyai nr. 3, RO-540064 Targu-Murej, Romania Abstract: Research conducted in the upper basin of the Mure$ River during the years 2005-2009 from May to September, revealed a total of 227 chrysomelid species out of 48 genera belonging to 10 subfamilies. Research has been made 15 representative habitat types differentiated by altitude and biocoenosis structure. The best represented subfamilies are the Halticinae with 104 species of 17 genera, the Chrysomelinae with 52 species of 15 genera, followed by the Chryptocephalinae with 27 species of two genera, the Cassidinae with 15 species of a single genus, the Clytrinae and Galerucinae with 11 species of 4 genera, the Criocerinae with 4 species of 2 genera, respectively the Donaciinae, Zeugophorinae, Lamprosomatinae with one species each. The most stable populations according to the ecological diversity and equitability indexes are the mesophilic grassland habitats, the riverside coppices and the deciduous forests. Keywords: upper basin of the Mures River, chrysomelids. Introduction Chrysomelids, through the large number oi known species and the specific adaptation they manifest, may be considered as a family of insects in full evolutional expansion, presenting a highly advanced variability with a highly emphasized population dynamics. The majority are terrestrial species, but there are also semi-aquatic and aquatic forms among them (Donacia, Haemonia). Currently, the number of species is estimated to 35,000, belonging to 15 subfamilies. Being exclusively phytophagous they can become extremely dangerous pests in the agricultural crops and the forest flora. Transylvanian faunal data were drawn up by many renowned authors [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11]. The present work encompasses the period of research from 2005 to 2009 in the upper basin of the Mures River, summarizing the number of Chrysomelid species captured on subfamilies within the researched habitats. Materials and methods Collections were made by sweeping the herbaceous vegetation with an entomological net, respectively with an entomological umbrella by swaying the trees in various habitats M A R I S I A, XXIX-XXX, p. 71-76
