During the development of the nature conservation plan for Rāzna National Park (RNP), researchers successfully identified the rare Platydema dejeanii near Ežezers lake. This is currently the furthest known location for this species in the north-east of Europe. Several other rare and protected beetle species were also identified during the survey, including the European-protected rove beetle Oxyporus mannerheimii.
The Platydema dejeanii, discovered in June in the Piļoru oak stand, was only first recorded in Latvia in 2024 in the central part of the country (DabasDati.lv, discovered by U. Piterāns). The beetle is approximately 5-6 mm long, oval, and relatively robust, with distinctively ribbed elytra. Males have two pronounced horns on the forehead between the eyes, while females have small tubercles.
The Platydema dejeanii is widespread across much of Eurasia, occurring in temperate forests from the Pyrenees to the Pacific Ocean, but it has only appeared in northern Europe in recent years, including a recent discovery in Lithuania. The Piļoru oak stand site is currently the furthest known observation of the species in the north-east of Europe. The species is associated with wood-decaying fungi and the presence of dead deciduous trees in the forest.
In contrast, this is the first recorded sighting in the vicinity of RNP for the Oxyporus mannerheimii, which was discovered near Andrupene in July and has approximately 20 previously known locations in Latvia.
The Oxyporus mannerheimii is a 7-9 mm long beetle with a shiny black body and short elytra that do not cover most of the abdomen. The species inhabits old-growth or natural boreal forests. Its larvae develop in and feed on cap fungi, primarily the fruiting bodies of old boletes. Adult beetles feed on both fungi and various small invertebrates.
Beetle researcher D. Teļņovs, who is involved in the development of the RNP nature conservation plan, highlights the importance of the findings: “Finding a species of European significance in Rāzna National Park testifies to the good condition of the forest habitats and environmental conditions important to it in this territory, while simultaneously pointing to the crucial importance of specially protected nature areas in preserving sites and populations of endangered or rare invertebrate species. For many species, especially narrowly specialised ones, habitats and their continuity are existentially vital. Accordingly, the discovery of these species is the highest accolade for Rāzna National Park, which is able to provide them with all the necessary conditions.”
Field research will continue until the end of October 2026.
The findings of rare species were made within the framework of developing the new nature conservation plan for RNP. To ensure the preservation of the natural values of RNP while balancing the use of the territory with the interests of residents, landowners, and entrepreneurs, a new nature conservation plan is being developed. On behalf of the Nature Conservation Agency, the development of the plan is being carried out by Daugavpils University until the autumn of 2027.
Since the spring, extensive field research has been taking place in RNP, involving more than 20 specialists from various sectors. Biologists, botanists, ornithologists, hydrologists, geologists, and other experts are studying protected species and habitats, the natural values of forests and grasslands, the state of lakes, rivers, and wetlands, landscapes, and other factors. Field research will continue until the end of October this year. The data obtained will allow for the updating of information on the specially protected species, their habitats, and biotopes of Latvian and European Union importance found in RNP, to assess their current state and prepare proposals for future protection and management.
Information on the progress of the plan's development is published on the Nature Conservation Agency website (www.daba.gov.lv) and the RNP Facebook channel.
Rāzna National Park (RNP) is one of the largest specially protected nature areas in Latvia, covering 59,615 hectares within the administrative territories of the Rēzekne, Krāslava, and Ludza municipalities. RNP is located in the heart of Latgale and contains several rivers (Narūta, Rēzekne, Malta, Balda, Pārtova) and lakes (Rāznas, Zosnas, Salāja, Ežezers, Ivušku, and Bižas). Many protected species, cultural-historical objects, and landscapes that preserve the uniqueness of Latgale’s traditions and nature are found within the park's territory. A detailed inventory of natural values in the field is being carried out during the development of the nature conservation plan to determine the status of protected and rare biotopes and species' habitats, the factors affecting them, and the necessary management measures.
The development of the nature conservation plan for RNP is being carried out within the framework of the project “Development of Nature Conservation Plans for the Preservation of Biodiversity in Reserves and National Parks” No. 2.2.3.3/1/24/I/001, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and implemented by the Nature Conservation Agency.
Daugavpils University is one of the leading regional universities in Latvia, combining research, education, and innovation. The university implements a wide range of study programmes and conducts significant research in the fields of natural sciences, education, humanities, and social sciences, paying special attention to the development and environmental protection of the Latgale region. DU has ensured the development of nature conservation plans for several specially protected nature reserve territories, such as “Klaucānu un Priekulānu ezers”, “Cirīša ezers”, “Liepājas ezers”, “Tosmares ezers”, “Laukezers”, “Ventas un Šķerveļa ieleja”, “Riežupe”, “Numernes valnis”, and others.