## 4 Discussion
[25] showed the dependence of the abundance of the mentioned species in relation to the sand fraction, which was positively correlated. For the remaining representatives of this genus, the analysis of the percentage dependence of the individual soil mechanical fractions (silt and clay fractions) and catchability and the number of individuals showed a different correlation (positive or negative) but was statistically insignificant. It is worth noting, however, that for all recorded representatives of this genus (6 species), despite the statistical insignificance, the correlation between the number of beetles and the content of silt fractions was positive. The preference of such surfaces may be related to the properties of this fraction, which increases water infiltration, especially in light sandy soils. The abundance of _O. thoracicum_ showed an upward trend in the sites where a decrease in the percentage of the clay fraction was observed. It was also observed that the abundance of this species increased in sampled areas with more abundant sand fractions. Although this correlation was not statistically significant, the same tendency was observed for the previously mentioned _N. respilloides_. Despite taxonomic and ecological diversity, they are considered forest species and prefer similar habitats [29]. Both mentioned species of Silphidae were indicated in the study conducted by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [27]; however, due to the unrepresentative number of the collected specimens, they were not included in the statistical analysis. The same authors indicated that _P. atrata atrata_, a species which, also due to its low number, was not analyzed (\(n=1\)). On the other hand, in our study, _P. atrata atrata_ occurred in greater numbers (\(n=470\)), much more in areas where the percentage of sand fraction was within the range of 19-56% (mean: 34.6% \(\pm\) 14.11), compared to areas with sand fractions in the range of 10-19% (average: 15.0% \(\pm\) 2.94). Another representative of Silphinae showing significant correlations between the number of collected specimens and the percentage of soil mechanical fractions was _T. situatus_. It was the most abundant species of all the Silphidae collected (\(n=3599\)). Its number was negatively correlated with the percentage of sand fraction, and positively with the clay fraction. The number of _T. situatus_, exceeding 100 individuals, was observed in sites with a lower percentage of sand fraction (average sand fraction content in sites with more than 100 individuals--15.62% \(\pm\) 3.02, compared to sites with less than 100 individuals--33.6% \(\pm\) 15.59) and higher percentage content of the clay fraction (the average content of the clay fraction at sites with more than 100 individuals--17.0% \(\pm\) 6.90, compared to sites with less than 100 individuals--6.4% \(\pm\) 5.12). In the study by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [27], it was also the most numerous species, showing a statistically significant correlation between the number of individuals caught and the soil type. The authors showed that _T. situatus_ was caught on alluvial more often than in black soils. Studies of entomo fauna inhabiting sandy sites (including dunes) showed a very large number of this species, which is often dominant [30; 31; 32], which contrasts with our results. Conversely, [PERSON] and [PERSON] [33] did not show the presence of this species in their observations of coleopterofa of beaches and dunes. Studies on the presence of other representatives of the genus _Thantophilus_ showed that _T. lapponicus_ was present almost exclusively in pastures with sandy soils and avoided sandy farmlands. Contrasting results have been reported for _T. truncatus_, which, as a generalist species, appears to be less susceptible to the effects of agriculture [25]. Furthermore, in [PERSON]'s study [34], both of these species were more numerous on open, sandy praaries, avoiding forests and non-sandy sites. It can be assumed that the greater presence of _T.