Variation on ground-beetle communities (Coleoptera) in altitude gradient on Belasica Mt., Republic of North Macedonia

Community structure of ground-beetles along altitudinal gradient on a Submediterranean mountainin North Macedonia, bordered with Bulgaria and Greece was studied. The aim was to determine whetheraltitude influences the distribution and ecology pattern of ground-beetle community.The research was carried out in 14 localities covering the main vegetation types on northern slopes ofBelasica Mountain, by using pitfall traps.The ground-beetle fauna consisted of 38 taxa and 7 subfamilies. Species richness and abundance ofground-beetles did not change significantly with increasing altitude and consequently with differences ofvegetation type. But, the overall pattern of species diversity and homogeneity showed significant decreasetowards higher altitudes indicating disruption of the community stability and presence of unfavorableconditions.This study gives a preliminary analysis of the climatic mechanisms affecting ground beetle communitiesand indicates possible sensitiveness towards environmental changes along altitudinal gradient on BelasicaMountain.