Turkish Journal of Zoology Turk J Zool (2015) 39: 15-27 http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/ © TÜBİTAK Research Article doi:10.3906/zoo-1305-43 Fauna of the Neuropterida (Raphidioptera, Neuroptera) of the Protected Area Jasen, Macedonia: a summer flash 1, 1 2 1 Dušan DEVETAK *, Vesna KLOKOČOVNIK , Hubert RAUSCH , Franc JANŽEKOVIČ 1 Department of Biology and Institute of Biology, Ecology, and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia 2 Mostviertel Natural History Society, Scheibbs, Austria Received: 28.05.2013 Accepted: 30.04.2014 Published Online: 02.01.2015 Printed: 30.01.2015 Abstract: The study was carried out in order to determine the species of the superorder Neuropterida in the Protected Area Jasen, Central Macedonia. In July 2011, insect net sampling was used to obtain the Neuropterida from various habitats in the area. A total of 44 species from 10 families were determined, and 17 of these species were new records for the Macedonian fauna. Notes on ecology and altitudinal distribution of the Neuropterida in the area are also provided. Key words: Neuropterida, Neuroptera, Raphidioptera, new records, Macedonia 1. Introduction formed the canyon and 2 artificial lakes are located in The neuropterid fauna of Macedonia was insufficiently the area, Lake Kozjak and Lake Matka. The majority of investigated up to now, and only sporadic papers on Jasen is characterized by various forest types, including species occurrence in the country existed (for review, deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests (Trpkov et al., see Devetak, 1992; Aspöck et al., 2001). To date, 8 1997). Raphidioptera and 42 Neuroptera species have been In July 2011 zoologists from the Department recorded from Macedonia (Aspöck and Aspöck, 1969; of Biology of the University of Maribor collected Gepp, 1972; Saure, 1989; Devetak, 1992; Aspöck et al., neuropterid insects in the area of Jasen with the aim 2001). of contributing to the knowledge of the biodiversity of Macedonia is well known according to its national this protected area in Macedonia. parks and protected areas. The Protected Area Jasen 2. Materials and methods was established by governmental decision in 2005. Adult Neuropterida were collected using an insect The Forest Reserve Jasen was transformed into the net or were picked by hand from a light source, while Public Enterprise for Managing and Protection of antlion larvae were excavated from their pits using the Multipurpose Area Jasen (JPUZPP Jasen). The a spoon. Specimens were preserved in ethanol and multipurpose area is a special category of protected deposited in the first and second authors’ collection. area under the Law on Nature Protection (Official Nomenclature and taxonomy is used in accordance Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia, No. 67/04). with Aspöck et al. (1980, 2001), Monserrat and Díaz- The Protected Area Jasen, positioned in Central Aranda (2012), and Snyman et al. (2012). We followed Macedonia, is a huge landscape of about 31,000 ha, the zoogeographical categorization of neuropterid including the western part of the Jakupica mountain fauna of the Balkan Peninsula proposed by Aspöck et massif, Suva Gora, and Suva Planina (Figure 1) al. (2001) and with the restriction of Popov and Letardi (Trpkov et al., 1997). In the area, the highest point (2010). of the Jakupica mountain massif is the peak of the The material was collected from 6 to 11 July 2011. mountain Karadžica, at an elevation of 2472 m, and the Collection sites included in the survey (Figures 1–19) lowest point is nearby the canyon Matka at elevation are listed in the Table with details of geographic of 270 m. The Treska River running through the area position, altitude, and type of habitat. * Correspondence: [email protected] 15 DEVETAK et al. / Turk J Zool Figure 1. The Protected Area Jasen with collecting places (maps.google.com; 28. III. 2013). Legend: 1 - Matka; 2 - Rudine, plateau; 3 - Nova Breznica; 4 - Nova Breznica, Dolne Pole; 5 - between Kula and Nova Breznica; 6 - Jakupica: Kula, 1200 m; 7 - Jakupica: Kula, 1240–1250 m; 8 - Jakupica: Urnat Kamen; 9 - Jakupica: Urnat Kamen-Goljak; 10 - between Lake Kozjak and Kula; 11 - Lake Kozjak: Kapina; 12 - Lake Kozjak: Blizansko; 13 - Jakupica: Selište; 14 - between Selište and Boro Pole; 15 - Karadžica: Boro Pole; 16 – Karadžica, 2070 m; 17 - S of Lake Kozjak: Vlaka; 18 - confluence of 2 rivers, Treska– Belica; 19 - the river Belica; 20 - Gorna Belica, spring Belica. 3. Results Rudine, plateau, 7. VII. 2011, on Pinus nigra, 1 ♀. 3.1. A list of species Biogeography: Balkanopontomediterranean, monocentric, stationary. 3.1.1. RAPHIDIOPTERA Remarks: A record from the northwest of the known 3.1.1.1. RAPHIDIIDAE distribution. Not a rare species in suitable habitats (trees, Phaeostigma (Phaeostigma) pilicollis (Stein, 1863) forests). Material examined: Phaeostigma (Pontoraphidia) setulosa setulosa (H. Jakupica: Urnat Kamen, 8. VII. 2011, 1 ♀; Aspöck & U. Aspöck, 1967) Karadžica: Boro Pole, 9. VII. 2011, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ on Pinus Material examined: nigra; Rudine, plateau, 7. VII. 2011, 1 ♂ 1 ♀ on Pinus nigra. 16 DEVETAK et al. / Turk J Zool Figures 2–7: Collection sites of the Protected Area Jasen with typical habitats. 2 - Matka: the canyon of the Treska river; 3 - Rudine: dry grassland with sporadic Pinus nigra trees; 4 - Nova Breznica: Submediterranean dry grassland; 5 - Nova Breznica, Dolne Pole: ponds; 6 - between Kula and Nova Breznica: dry grassland; 7 - a view of Lake Kozjak from Kula; deciduous forest in foreground. Biogeography: Balkano- and Anatoloponto- Dichrostigma flavipes (Stein, 1863) mediterranean, polycentric, slightly expansive northwards Material examined: (?), pronounced disjunct relict-distribution. Jakupica: Kula, 1240–1250 m, 8. VII. 2011, 4 ♀; Remarks: Very few localities of this species are Jakupica: Urnat Kamen-Goljak, 1425–1440 m, 8. VII. registered. The current record is an important reference 2011, 4 ♀; for nature conservation. A more or less rare species in Nova Breznica, 7. VII. 2011, 1 ♀; known suitable habitats (shrubs and trees, open forests). Rudine, plateau, 7. VII. 2011, 1 ♀ on Pinus nigra. First record in Macedonia (Devetak 1992, erroneous Biogeography: Balkanopontomediterranean, probable record). monocentric, expansive northwards in many areas. 17 DEVETAK et al. / Turk J Zool Figures 8–13: Collection sites of the Protected Area Jasen with typical habitats (continued). 8 - Urnat Kamen: mixed deciduous/coniferous forest; 9 - between Urnat Kamen and Goljak: mixed deciduous/coniferous forest; 10 - between Lake Kozjak and Kula: pine forest (Pulsatillo-Pinetum nigrae); 11 - Kapina: the shore of the lake with deciduous forest in background; 12 - Blizansko: hygrophilous forest along a brook; 13 - Selište: hygrophilous forest with Buxus sempervirens in foreground. Ornatoraphidia flavilabris (Costa, 1855) 3.1.2. NEUROPTERA Ornatoraphidia etrusca (Albarda, 1891) 3.1.2.1. OSMYLIDAE Material examined: Osmylus fulvicephalus (Scopoli, 1763) Jakupica: Kula, 1240–1250 m, 8. VII. 2011, 3 ♀; Material examined: Jakupica: Urnat Kamen, 8. VII. 2011, 1 ♀; Confluence of 2 rivers: Treska–Belica, 9. VII. 2011, 1 Karadžica: Selište-Boro Pole, 9. VII. 2011, 1 ♂; ♂ on Salix; Rudine, plateau, 7. VII. 2011, 1 ♂ on Pinus nigra. Karadžica: the river Belica, 9. VII. 2011, 1 ♀; Biogeography: Adriatomediterran and Lake Kozjak: Blizansko, 6. VII. 2011, 2 ♂ 1 ♀. Balkanopontomediterranean, polycentric, probably Biogeography: Holomediterranean spread, polycentric, moderately expansive north- and westwards. expansive northwards. 18 DEVETAK et al. / Turk J Zool Figures 14–19: Collection sites of the Protected Area Jasen with typical habitats (continued). 14 – Boro Pole: dry grassland (Asyneumo-Stipetum mediterraneae) with sporadic Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana trees; 15 - Karadžica: alpine calcareous grassland; 16 - Vlaka: Submediterranean dry grassland; 17 - Confluence of the rivers Treska and Belica: grassland and river bank with Salix alba; 18 - the river Belica between Vlaka and G. Belica: hygrophilous vegetation with Salix alba; 19 - Gorna Belica, spring Belica: hygrophilous thicket. 3.1.2.2. CHRYSOPIDAE Jakupica: Kula, 1200 m, 8. VII. 2011, 2 ♀; Nineta flava (Scopoli, 1763) Jakupica: Urnat Kamen, 8. VII. 2011, 1 ♂ 1 ♀; Material examined: Karadžica: Boro Pole, 9. VII. 2011, 2 ♂ 3 ♀; Jakupica / Karadžica: Selište, 9. VII. 2011, 1 ♀ on Acer Rudine, plateau, 7. VII. 2011, 2 ♂ 1 ♀. obtusatum; Biogeography: Euro-Siberian spread, polycentric, Karadžica: Boro Pole, 9. VII. 2011, 1 ♂ on Pinus nigra. highly expansive. Biogeography: Extramediterranean-European, lowly First record in Macedonia. expansive. Chrysopa walkeri McLachlan, 1893 Chrysopa perla (Linnaeus, 1758) Material examined: Material examined: Jakupica / Karadžica: Selište, 9. VII. 2011, 1 ♀; Jakupica / Karadžica: Selište, 9. VII. 2011, 1 ♀; Jakupica: Kula, 1240–1250 m, 8. VII. 2011, 1 ♂; 19 DEVETAK et al. / Turk J Zool Table. Collection sites in the Protected Area Jasen. Name Altitude Geographic position Type of the habitat Matka, Treska: the canyon of 1 350 m 41°55′N, 21°17′E Canyon of the river with hygrophilous forest (Figure 2) the Treska river Transition from dry grassland with sporadic Pinus 2 Rudine, plateau 1050–1070 m 41°53.50′N, 21°13.94′E nigra trees to mixed deciduous/coniferous forest (Figure 3) Submediterranean dry grassland with sporadic bushes (Paliurus spina-christi, Juniperus oxycedrus, 3 Nova Breznica 770–790 m 41°52.99′N, 21°16.31′E Acer campestre, Prunus spinosa, Quercus cerris,