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Reliable taxonomy underpins communication in all of biology, not least nature conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem resources. The flexibility of taxonomic interpretations, however, presents a serious challenge for end-users of taxonomic concepts. Users need standardised and continuously harmonised taxonomic reference systems, as well as highquality and complete taxonomic data sets, but these are generally lacking for nonspecialists. The solution is in dynamic, expertly curated web-based taxonomic tools. The Pan-European Species-directories Infrastructure (PESI) worked to solve this key issue by providing a taxonomic e-infrastructure for Europe. It strengthened the relevant social (expertise) and information (standards, data and technical) capacities of five major community networks on taxonomic indexing in Europe, which is essential for proper biodiversity assessment and monitoring activities. The key objectives of PESI were: 1) standardisation in taxonomic reference systems, 2) enhancement of the quality and completeness of taxonomic data sets and 3) creation of integrated access to taxonomic information. New information This paper describes the results of PESI and its future prospects, including the involvement in major European biodiversity informatics initiatives and programs., PESI was funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Program (project reference: RI-223806), contributing to the FP7-INFRASTRUCTURES 'Capacities' sub-program under the Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) funding scheme (call: FP7-INFRASTRUCTURES-2007-2).

Osmoderma eremita (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) in Europe.— Research, monitoring and development of preservation strategies for threatened species are often limited by national borders even though a global perspective would be more appropriate. In this study, we collected data on the occurrence of a threatened beetle, Osmoderma eremita, associated with tree hollows in 2,142 localities from 33 countries in Europe where it is or has been present. The larvae develop in tree hollows and very few observations of larvae have been observed in dead logs on the ground. As long as there is a suitable tree hollow, it appears that O. eremita may use any tree species. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are the trees mainly used by O. eremita, followed by lime (Tilia spp.), willow (Salix spp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and fruit trees (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita is still found in some remnants of natural forest, but is mainly observed on land that has long been used by man, such as pasture woodlands, hunting parks, avenues, city parks and trees around agricultural fields and along streams. The occurrence of O. eremita seems to have decreased in all European countries. Relatively high densities of O. eremita localities occur in Central Europe (northern Italy, Austria, Czechia, southern Poland and eastern Germany), some parts of Northern Europe (south–eastern Sweden, Latvia) and France. In some regions in north–western Europe, the species is extinct or may occur at some single sites (Norway, Danish mainland, The Netherlands, Belgium, north–eastern France). There are few data from south–eastern Europe. Many local extinctions of O. eremita are to be expected in the near future, especially in regions with recent habitat loss and fragmentation. O. eremita is useful as an indicator and umbrella species for the preservation of the entire invertebrate community associated with hollow trees in Europe. A preservation plan for O. eremita should include three aspects that are of general importance in nature conservation in Europe today: (1) preservation of remnants of natural forests with old, broad–leaved trees, (2) preservation and restoration of habitats related to traditional agricultural landscapes and (3) preservation of remaining "islands" of nature in urban areas. Key words: Saproxylic, Cavity, Habitat Directive, Pollarding, Bioindicator, Scarabaeoidea.

Уміщено результати вивчення турунів (Coleoptera, Carabidae) Волинського Полісся. Збір матеріалу проводили ґрунтовими пастками Барбера. Загалом для регіону відмічено 151 вид турунів, із них вісім наведено вперше. Представлены результаты изучения жужелиц (Coleoptera, Carabidae) Волынского Полесья. Сбор материала проводили почвенными ловушками Барбера. Для региона отмечено 151 вид жужелиц, восемь приводятся впервые. The results of the study of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) Volyns’ke Polissja are presented. The collection of material performed by soil Barber’s traps. The region observed 151 species of ground beetles, 8 species among them are firstly founded for the region. Роботу виконано в лабораторії ентомології ДПМ НАН України

Research, monitoring and development of preservation strategies for threatened species are often limited by national borders even though a global perspective would be more appropriate. In this study, we collected data on the occurrence of a threatened beetle, Osmoderma eremita, associated with tree hollows in 2,142 localities from 33 countries in Europe where it is or has been present. The larvae develop in tree hollows and very few observations of larvae have been observed in dead logs on the ground. As long as there is a suitable tree hollow, it appears that O. eremita may use any tree species. Oaks (Quercus spp.) are the trees mainly used by O. eremita, followed by lime (Tilia spp.), willow (Salix spp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and fruit trees (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita is still found in some remnants of natural forest, but is mainly observed on land that has long been used by man, such as pasture woodlands, hunting parks, avenues, city parks and trees around agricultural fields and along streams. The occurrence of O. eremita seems to have decreased in all European countries. Relatively high densities of O. eremita localities occur in Central Europe (northern Italy, Austria, Czechia, southern Poland and eastern Germany), some parts of Northern Europe (south–eastern Sweden, Latvia) and France. In some regions in north–western Europe, the species is extinct or may occur at some single sites (Norway, Danish mainland, The Netherlands, Belgium, north–eastern France). There are few data from south–eastern Europe. Many local extinctions of O. eremita are to be expected in the near future, especially in regions with recent habitat loss and fragmentation. O. eremita is useful as an indicator and umbrella species for the preservation of the entire invertebrate community associated with hollow trees in Europe. A preservation plan for O. eremita should include three aspects that are of general importance in nature conservation in Europe today: (1) preservation of remnants of natural forests with old, broad–leaved trees, (2) preservation and restoration of habitats related to traditional agricultural landscapes and (3) preservation of remaining "islands" of nature in urban areas., La investigación, el control y el desarrollo de estrategias de conservación de especies amenazadas en peligro de extinción están habitualmente confinadas por fronteras nacionales aunque sería más apropiado una perspectiva más global. En este trabajo se recogen datos sobre la presencia de un escarabajo en peligro de extinción, Osmoderma eremita, asociado a huecos de árboles en las 2.142 localidades de 33 regiones de Europa donde se ha encontrado. La larva se desarrolla en los huecos de los árboles y se ha observado pocas veces en troncos muertos en el suelo. Parece ser que O. eremita es capaz de utilizar cualquier especie de árbol siempre que tenga un hueco disponible. Los árboles más utilizados por O. eremita son los robles (Quercus spp.), seguidos del tilo (Tilia spp.), el sauce (Salix spp.), el haya (Fagus sylvatica) y los árboles frutales (Prunus spp., Pyrus spp., Malus domestica). O. eremita se encuentra todavía en algún remanente de bosque natural, pero se observa principalmente en tierras que han sido usadas por el hombre como zonas de bosques aclarados, cotos de caza, avenidas, parques urbanos y en árboles alrededor de campos agrícolas y a lo largo del curso de ríos. Parece ser que la presencia de O. eremita ha disminuido en todas las regiones europeas. Las mayores concentraciones de localidades con presencia de O. eremita aparecen en Europa central (norte de Italia, Austria, República Checa, sur de Polonia y Alemania del este), en algunas partes del norte de Europa (sureste de Suecia, Latvia) y en Francia. En algunas regiones del noroeste de uropa, se ha extinguido o puede encontrarse de forma aislada (Noruega, Dinamarca, Países Bajos, Bélgica, noreste de Francia). Hay pocos datos del sureste europeo. Se prevén algunas extinciones locales de O. eremita en un futuro inmediato, especialmente en regiones con una pérdida y fragmentación del hábitat. O. eremita es una especie útil como indicador y paraguas para la preservación de toda la comunidad de invertebrados asociados a los agujeros de árboles en Europa. Un plan de preservación de O. eremita debería incluir tres aspectos que son de importancia general en la conservación de la naturaleza en Europa hoy en día: (1) preservación de los remanentes de bosques naturales con árboles viejos, (2) preservación y restauración de hábitats relacionados con los paisajes agrícolas tradicionales y (3) preservación de las "islas" de naturaleza que se mantienen en áreas urbanas.