Poleward Range Expansion of the Ground Beetle Agonum viridicupreum
Author Information
Author(s): Claudia Drees, Pietro Brandmayr, Jörn Buse, Petra Dieker, Stephan Gürlich, Jan Habel, Ingmar Harry, Wernher Härdtle, Andreas Matern, Hartmut Meyer, Roberto Pizzolotto, Markus Quante, Katharina Schäfer, Andreas Schuldt, Angela Taboada, Thorsten Assmann
Primary Institution: Tel Aviv University
Hypothesis
How has climate change affected the distribution range of Agonum viridicupreum in the western Palaearctic?
Conclusion
The study found a significant northward shift of at least 100 km in the leading edge of Agonum viridicupreum's distribution over the last 50 to 100 years, while the rear edge has remained stable.
Supporting Evidence
- Species records indicate a northward shift of at least 100 km in the leading edge of Agonum viridicupreum's distribution.
- The rear edge of the species' distribution has not changed in recent decades.
- Climate changes in the regions studied include warmer temperatures and varying precipitation patterns.
Takeaway
Scientists studied a type of beetle and found that it has moved further north because of climate change, but its southern populations have not changed.
Methodology
The study analyzed species records from literature and collections, focusing on the northern and southern distribution boundaries in Germany, Israel, and Italy.
Limitations
The study's understanding of the mechanisms behind the different behaviors of leading and rear range edges is incomplete.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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