Extinction risk alert: evaluating conservation trends for the Golden-dimpled Ground Beetle (Carabus clatratus auraniensis J. Müller, 1903) in Western Balkans
2025
Due to extensive habitat loss and specialised ecological niche, the Golden-dimpled Ground Beetle (Carabus clatratus) became a locally extinct species with fragmented distribution throughout Europe. The subspecies C. clatratus auraniensis J. Müller, 1903 was described from the Vrana Lake in the Mediterranean biogeographical region of Croatia. This study aims to: assess conservation status of C. clatratus auraniensis in the Western Balkans through a chronogeonemy analysis; evaluate habitat suitability at the type locality by analyzing historical land use changes; and determine the effectiveness of protected area networks in ensuring the long-term survival of the species in core area of its distribution in Western Balkans. The chronogeonemy analysis reveals the extinction of C. clatratus auraniensis in the Mediterranean biogeographical region, including in its type locality. This is most likely caused by land use changes such as ongoing habitat degradation and wetland drainage, primarily driven by urbanisation and agriculture. However, the gap analysis indicated a good coverage by protected areas, contradicting previous results. The protected areas were established after the subspecies extinction and therefore have no impact on its conservation success. This indicates that gap analysis must be combined with other methods, e.g. chronogeonemy analysis, in order to detect real-time conservation trends. The conservation status of C. clatratus auraniensis in the Continental biogeographical region is stable, with continuous occurrence since the late 19th century and an increase in records in the last three decades, even with long dispersal records (e.g. Mura River in NE Slovenia). Records increase are linked to large well-preserved semi-natural wetlands along the Sava, Drava and Danube rivers, reflecting the subspecies’ good prospects. Reintroduction into protected areas in the Mediterranean region of Croatia could be a viable strategy to support the survival of this subspecies, enhancing the conservation prospects for rare C. clatratus in Europe.
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