The species of <i>Scarabaeus</i> Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Bulgaria and adjacent regions: faunal review and potential distribution

We compile the available georeferenced information on Bulgarian Scarabaeus species, including both bibliographic and natural history data to provide basic ecological and biogeographical information as well as maps of climatically favourable areas (potential distributions) for each one of the species. Scarabaeus species in Bulgaria seem to be generally distributed across low altitude areas mainly under warm temperate or Mediterranean conditions, although S. variolosus appears to be the species adapted to the warmest conditions and S. armeniacus inhabits areas of medium altitude. Our results indicate that it is necessary to carry out an extra survey effort in the northern lowlands, away the Stara Planina Mts. in order to validate current climatically suitable territories for some species. However, the recent land use transformations of these lowland areas, together with the general decline of roller dung beetle populations, suggest that this validation may not be possible.