FEATURES OF FORMATION OF THE MODERN FAUNA OF GROUND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE) OF SHIKOTAN ISLAND, KURILES

Studying of taxonomic structure, ecology and distribution of ground beetles on Shikotan Island, as well as analysis of the literature data, geological history, changes of climate and vegetation has shown that immigration processes is most important in the formation of modern fauna of this island. The absents on Shikotan of an endemic or relict taxa, almost weakly inhabited natural ecosystems and taxonomic diversity of phytophilous and anthropogenous species of ground beetles obviously support such point of view. The increasing of adventive species in island is also traced by analysis of the published during last century data. Thus, the Shikotan island modern fauna of ground beetles is in nonequilibrium condition and the immigration process obviously surpasses the extinction of species.