4. PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE PROJECTS

Below a list is given with past, present and future projects of GTLI. Projects fall within one of the three following categories: (a) distribution and abundance of Lucanidae, (b) biology of Lucanidae, and (c) conservation. A short description of each project is provided. Within each subheading there is further information about objectives, ways to collaborate and results. Diary summarizes annual activities, with emphasis on international contacts.

Diary: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

4-A. Distribution and abundance of Lucanidae
(1) Iberian distribution of Lucanidae.- Computerized data base and Iberian distribution maps for all Lucanidae species. Literature survey of faunistic records for Lucanidae in the Iberian peninsula. Data bases are available for all Iberian species and tentative distribution maps are available for the six commonest species. Data and literature gathering is ongoing.

(2) Presence of Lucanidae in towns.- Computerized data base about presence of Lucanidae within Spanish towns. Study of Lucanidae populations in urban parks. Preliminary results of a project in Oviedo (northern Spain) are available.

(3) Abundance of Lucanus cervus.- Monitoring of populations of Stag Beetle in northern Spain. Information is available for two localities; one year’s data for one of them and six years’ data for the other one. This project is, at least temporarily, suspended.

4-B. Biology of Lucanidae
(4) Biology of Lucanidae.- Compilation of field and literature infomation about the biology of the Iberian Lucanidae. A reference list, as well as a written summary, about the biology of Stag Beetle L. cervus is already available. Summaries for the remaining species are in preparation.

(5) Larval development of Lucanidae.- Study of duration and growth rates of different instars in Lucanidae species. Preliminary data soon available.

4-C. Lucanidae conservation
(6) Status of Lucanidae in Europe.- Summary of the conservation status of Lucanidae in Europe. A summary of species richness, distribution and conservation status of European Lucanidae is planned. Partial information about the conservation status of Stag Beetle is available. Information about the remaining European species of Lucanidae will be added in the future.

(7) Road mortality of Lucanus cervus.- Quantification of road mortality of Lucanus cervus and responsible factors. Information is available about road mortality in Avilés (Asturias, NW Spain) for seven years. This project is, at least temporarily, suspended.

(8) Lucanus cervus trade.- Quantification of L. cervus trade. ¿Is there a real trade involving Stag Beetle? ¿What kind of shops take part in it? ¿What is the price? ¿How many items are sold?

(9) Habitat for Lucanidae: assessment and restoration.- Basic guidelines to assess habitat quality for saproxylic insects are provided: dead wood abundance, amount and status of veteran trees, assessmente of decaying status of the wood. Links are provided to homepages explaining how to build pyramids, loggeries and nest for saproxylic insects.

(10) Genétics of Lucanus cervus.- We try to find out whether northern Spanish and central Spanish populations of Stag Beetle are genetically isolated and differentiated.