Product Description

The ground beetle genus Carabus (Coleoptera, Carabidae) is one of the most intensively studied groups of insects. This book presents the results of a project (started in 1989) to present a complete European study of the Carbus, combining data from both Western and Eastern Europe. The data has been accumulated on taxonomy, biology, phylogeny, ecology and biogeography.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1232997 in Books
• Published on: 2001-12
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 511 pages

Customer Reviews

An excellent compedium of knowledge on the Carabus of Europe
This work is a comprehensive summary of all information on the genus Carabus in Europe.
It has been written by some of the leading experts in this field, and covers the taxonomy, identification, biology, ecology, phylogeny, biogeography and conservation of the group.
The book is split into 2 main parts. The first deals with the identification and individual accounts for each of the circa 132 species found in Europe. This includes a detailed checklist of species and all subspecies, nations and synonyms. There is a key to all of the adults, and a key to some of the larvae. Each species is then given its own section detailing its distribution (including maps), its ecology and its biology. The information is collated in a very ordered fashion and is lucidly written.
The second part consists of a series of chapters on the genus as a whole, and is a superb summary of the current knowledge on the biology, ecology, phylogeny, biogeography and conservation of the genus. One feature I found particularly interesting was the use of schematic transects of particular geographical areas to illustrate the distribution of different species in one area.
The book also contains several beautiful large colour photographs of live adults.
Overall, the whole project has been very succesfully executed, and will be very much appreciated by anyone with an interest in these fantastic and fascinating beetles.