Amara nitida
Local name: Glinsende ovalløber
Glinsende ovalløber (Amara nitida) is a small, metallic-sheen ground beetle characterized by its distinctive oval-shaped body and glossy dark coloration. This predatory beetle plays a crucial role in soil ecosystems by controlling populations of small invertebrates and contributing to nutrient cycling through its feeding activities.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Carabidae
Genus
Amara
Amara nitida belongs to the family Carabidae, order Coleoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Glinsende ovalløber (Amara nitida) is a small, metallic-sheen ground beetle characterized by its distinctive oval-shaped body and glossy dark coloration. This predatory beetle plays a crucial role in soil ecosystems by controlling populations of small invertebrates and contributing to nutrient cycling through its feeding activities.
Amara nitida, a ground beetle species, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized coastal and sandy environments. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in land management practices have significantly reduced the availability of suitable breeding and foraging habitats. Climate change and coastal erosion further threaten the remaining populations of this critically endangered species.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This beetle inhabits sandy soils along riverbanks and coastal dunes, particularly in areas with sparse vegetation and well-drained substrates. It requires specific moisture gradients found in transitional zones between wet and dry sandy environments.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Amara nitida, a ground beetle species, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized coastal and sandy environments. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and changes in land management practices have significantly reduced the availability of suitable breeding and foraging habitats. Climate change and coastal erosion further threaten the remaining populations of this critically endangered species.
Agricultural intensification
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Changes in land management practices
Climate change and sea level rise
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Amara nitida (Amara nitida). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/glinsende-ovallber