THE DIVERSITY AND SPECIES COMPOSITION OF WATER BEETLES (GYRINIDAE, DYTISCIDAE, HYDROPHILIDAE) IN A PEAT BOG IN BELARUS.

The diversity and species composition of the water beetles in peat bog lakes, streams and hollows in Belarus were studied. In total, 45 species of water beetles belonging to 3 families (Gyrinidae, Dytiscidae, Hydrophilidae) were sampled by entomological net. Hydroporus tristis, Ilybius aenescens, Enochrus affi nis, and E. ochropterus are the most abundant species A rather high diversity was recorded (Shannon-Wienner diversity index H' = 2.037-2.912). Shannon-Wienner indexes indicated higher values in the lakes, whereas the lowest values in the hollows were recorded. In addition, in hollows water beetle species composition was the most different from the other peat bog water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]