Identification of Conservation Status of Ground-Beetles of Procerus Species-Complex (Carabidae, Carabus) in Armenia and Elaboration of Protection Measures

Project Animal(s) : Ground-Beetles
Project Category : Insects
Project Region : Europe
Project Type : Conservation
Project URL : https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tigran_Ghrejyan
Project is timebound? : Yes

Project Start Date : March 28, 2018

The project is dedicated to Armenian taxa of ground-beetles of Procerus (Carabidae). Representatives of Procerus are among the most beautiful and vulnerable wingless and narrowly distributed beetles of Carabidae, presented in the country by several taxa of specific and subspecific level. Till now only sole taxon from Armenian fauna (Procerus scabrosus fallettianus) was estimated and included into the Red Book of the Republic of Armenia. But currently it is clear that estimation was made for complex of taxa and surveys must be remade for assessment of each subordinate taxon of Procerus from the area in Southern Armenia previously referred to P. s. fallettianus (namely P. caucasicus miskai and P. c. nakagomai). Besides, special research and assessment need Procerus taxa from Northern Armenia with three forms reported (P. caucasicus colchicus, P. c. antonkozlovi and P. c. tatyanagorokhovae).

Thus, it is supposed to carry out wide-scale expedition and laboratory work for distinguishing of Armenian taxa of Procerus, revealing current distributional data, data on abundance of each taxon and on conditions of containing habitats, existing threats, etc. On the basis of the data obtained it will be carried out estimation of conservation status of each taxon using IUCN Red List Criteria and Guidelines for further inclusion of Procerus taxa from Armenia into National Red Book and IUCN Red List. Draft Action Plans for each taxon, recommendations on conservation measures including proposals of creation of new appropriate PAs will be elaborated and submitted to stakeholders.

Special attention will be paid to public awareness issues, which includes meetings and discussions with authorities at the levels of Republic, provincial governments, local communities, with PAs staff, NGOs, etc. as well as educational activities – lectures in schools, dissemination of educational and information materials (booklets, calendars, etc.).

Project Researcher : Tigran Ghrejyan

Project Researcher Contact : tkredjyan@gmail.com