Grandova M. Aquatic bugs (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha, Gerromorpha) of the south of the mainland Ukraine (fauna, distribution, biology, ecological characteristics)

This work is the first complex research on the current species composition of water bugs of southern Ukrainian mainland, and on their geographical distribution, biology, seasonal changes in abundance and biomass, ecological structure and protection. In the region of research, 51 species of water bugs of 21 species were found (in Ukraine, in total, 71 out of 22 genera).For the first time in Ukraine there are 2 species - Velia caprai Tamanini, 1947 and Sigara mayri Fieber, 1860, and for the first time in the region 6 species. An occurrence of Ukraine for Micronecta scholtzi (Fieber, I860) has been approved. For the first time in the region, a comprehensive study of the biotope distribution of water hemipterofauna was carried out. The main ecological features of the group were analyzed, from which for 44 species according to own observations. For the first time in Ukraine, phenological studies of aquatic bugs were carried out; for 25 species, the terms of wintering and reproduction in the region were set, for Nepa cinerea Linnaeus, 1758 wintering on land was firstly decribed. For the first time in the region, the seasonal changes in abundance, biomass and species composition in different types of water objects were analyzed. Keys have been compiled for the identification of 58 species with original features that allow to identify the imago of both sexes. For Micronectidae, for the first time, a set of metric characteristics has been used that allow differentiating regional species without studying genital males. 14 species of water bugs that are in need of protection were noted: Aphelocheirus aestivalis and Velia saulii are recommended for inclusion in the Red Book of Ukraine, and the remaining species may be included in the List of species of animals and plants that are to be protected in different regions of southern Ukraine.