Assemblage and functional categorization of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) from the Pantanal

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.3978 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. e3978 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marcelo B. Pessôa ◽

Thiago J. Izzo ◽

Fernando Z. Vaz-de-Mello

Keyword(s):

Functional Groups ◽

Functional Organization ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Niche Differentiation ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Strong Variation ◽

Functional Roles ◽

The North

The Pantanal is one of the world’s largest tropical wetland areas and harbors high mammal biomass. There is no formal list of dung beetle species, and studies on their functional roles have never being carried out in Pantanal. In this study, we identified dung beetle species occurring in the north Pantanal region (Poconé sub-region, Brazil) and studied their functional organization, by measuring morphological, behavioral and phenological traits. We collected 25,278 individuals belonging to 17 genera and 35 species. We identified eight functional groups in the habitat: Noturnal Telecoprids, Diurnal Telecoprids, Nesting Endocoprids, Small Nonrollers, Nocturnal Nester Paracoprids, Big Nesters Paracoprids, Non Nesters Paracoprids and Diurnal Nesters Paracoprids. The functional groups were defined mostly by two reproductive traits and two niche differentiation traits related to the use of fecal resources. This high diversification of both species and functional roles shows the importance of the group in a habitat with strong variation in availability of habitat and resources.

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New records of relictual populations of dung beetle species (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) in the Atlantic Forest of the Brazilian Northeast

Check List ◽

10.15560/16.5.1289 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 1289-1303

Author(s):

Josival Francisco Araújo ◽

Fernando Augusto Barbosa Silva ◽

Rita de Cássia de Moura

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

New Records ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Brazilian Northeast

The diversity of dung beetles is still underestimated in northeastern Brazil. Recent collections have revealed new records of the following species: Canthon histrio (Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau & Audinet-Serville, 1828), Coprophanaeus acrisius (MacLeay, 1819), Coprophanaeus dardanus (MacLeay, 1819), Deltochilum alpercata Silva et al., 2015, Deltochilum brasiliense (Castelnau, 1840), Dichotomius gilletti Valois et al., 2017, Dichotomius iannuzziae Valois et al., 2017, Eurysternus calligrammus Dalman, 1824, Eurysternus parallelus Castelnau, 1840, Oxysternon silenus Castelnau, 1840, and Phanaeus splendidulus (Fabricius, 1781). These records are discussed in light of the known biogeography of each species.

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Dung burial by roller dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae): An individual and specific-level study

International Journal of Tropical Insect Science ◽

10.1017/s1742758418000206 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 38 (04) ◽

pp. 373-380

Author(s):

R. L. Carvalho ◽

F. Frazão ◽

R.S. Ferreira–Châline ◽

J. Louzada ◽

L. Cordeiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dung Beetle ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Individual Species ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Ecological Functions ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

Specific Level ◽

Burial Rates ◽

The Individual

AbstractDung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) mediate many ecological functions that are important to maintain the ecosystem functioning of terrestrial environments. Although a large amount of literature explores the dung beetle-mediated ecological processes, little is known about the individual contribution from distinct species. Here, we aimed to examine the intra and interspecific variations in dung burial rates performed by two roller dung beetle species (Canthon smaragdulus Fabricius, 1781 and Canthon sulcatus Castelnau, 1840). Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between dung beetle biomass and dung burial rates. We set up a laboratorial experiment with three treatments (two males, two females, and a couple) and 10 replicates per treatment for each dung beetle species, and dung burial rates were measured after exposing 100 g of mixed pig and human excrement for 48 hours. Our results demonstrate that dung burial rates of males, females, and couples within each species do not differ. However, C. smaragdulus individuals performed a larger dung burial than C. sulcatus individuals did. In addition, we found no effect of individual biomass on the amount of dung burial on intra and interspecific levels. These findings highlight the need for further research considering that distinct species, even from the same genus, may perform different rates of ecological processes, as well as about the importance for considering the beetle biomass when measuring their ecological functions. We call for studies to fill in the knowledge gap about the individual species’ contribution to the maintenance of different dung beetle-mediated ecological processes.

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Areas of endemism in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest based on the distribution of dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae)

Iheringia Série Zoologia ◽

10.1590/1678-4766e2020003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 110 ◽

Author(s):

Jorge L. da Silva ◽

Fernando Z. Vaz-de-Mello

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Grid Size ◽

Brazilian Atlantic Forest ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Distributional Patterns ◽

Areas Of Endemism ◽

Definition Of ◽

Different Levels

ABSTRACT Our goals were to determine whether the pattern of geographical distribution of dung beetles in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF), Southeast Brazil, supports the identification of the areas of endemism in this biome, how the number and boundaries of the areas of endemism vary with the spatial scale used in the analysis, if the areas of endemism identified here are consistent with previous proposals described in the literature. We used the analysis of endemicity (NDM) on the distributional patterns of 198 species and subspecies of dung beetles in order to identify areas of endemism into grids of 0.25°x0.25°, 0.5°x0.5° and 1°x1°. A total of 15 consensus areas (CA) were identified with the different grid sizes employed (two of 0.25°, three of 0.5° and 10 of 1°). Our results support the assumptions about the influence of the grid size, since a smaller number of CA were identified for the 0.25° grids (02 CA), whereas by increasing the size of the units, there was an increase in the number of the areas of endemism (10 CA of 1°). Despite different levels of geographical congruence, the areas of endemism located in the BAF described elsewhere are corroborate, all or part of them. The overlap of these CA allowed the definition of three generalized areas of endemism: Southeast, Central and Southwest. These generalized areas encompassed habitats with great environmental variety, potentially influencing the levels of endemism of species of dung beetles. Furthermore, they were corroborated by other areas of endemism described in the literature, allowing us to argue that processes forming these regions have influenced dung beetle species as described for other groups of organisms.

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Effects of Climate Change on the Distribution of Key Native Dung Beetles in South American Grasslands

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11102033 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2033

Author(s):

Maria Eduarda Maldaner ◽

Thadeu Sobral-Souza ◽

Victor Mateus Prasniewski ◽

Fernando Z. Vaz-de-Mello

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Spatial Distribution ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Future Climate ◽

Future Climate Change ◽

South American ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Radical Reduction

Climate change is a serious threat, and it is necessary to prepare for the future climate conditions of grazing areas. Dung beetle species can help mitigate global warming by contributing to intense nutrient cycling and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions caused by cattle farming. Additionally, dung beetles increase soil quality through bioturbation and reduce nematodes and hematophagous flies’ abundance in grasslands areas. There are several dung beetle species inhabiting South American pastures, however, the effects of climate change on their spatial distribution are still unknown. Here, we aimed to predict the potential effects of future climate change on the geographical spatial distribution of the four most important (“key”) pastureland dung beetle species that are native to South America. We used niche-based models and future climate simulations to predict species distribution through time. Our findings show radical reduction in the spatial range of dung beetle species, especially in recently opened areas, e.g., the Amazon region. We suggest that the consequences of these species’ spatial retraction will be correlated with ecosystem services depletion under future climate conditions, urgently necessitating pasture restoration and parasite control, as the introduction of new alien species is not encouraged.

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Dung Beetle Diversity and Community Composition Along a Land Use Gradient in a Savannah Ecosystem of North Western Tanzania

Tropical Conservation Science ◽

10.1177/19400829211008756 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 194008292110087

Author(s):

Roisin Stanbrook ◽

John Norrey ◽

Alex Wilbard Kisingo ◽

Martin Jones

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Community Composition ◽

Species Abundance ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Land Uses ◽

North West ◽

The North ◽

Rapid Monitoring ◽

Response Gradient

Habitat loss and degradation are the most widely cited drivers of changes in species abundance and diversity. We explored changes in dung beetle species diversity and composition across different land uses in the north west Tanzanian savannah. We expected a negative response gradient in the diversity and composition of the dung beetle community, from land uses that preserve vegetation and hold native mammal diversity to livestock intensive and heavily grazed areas. Dung beetles were sampled in a protected area and two anthropogenically influenced land use types. Species richness and composition of each land use type, including differences in diversity and functional groups were analyzed and indicator species for each land use gradient were identified. As expected, diversity and community composition varied between areas with less environmental change compared to those impacted anthropogenically. We conclude that conservation of protected areas within African savannahs can provide a functionally rich dung beetle community and subsequently rich ecological functions. The dung beetle species identified by this study as eco-indicators can be used as a benchmark for future studies that use rapid monitoring to assess disturbance in African savannas.

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Bush fly, Musca vetustissima Walker (Diptera: Muscidae), control in relation to seasonal abundance of scarabaeine dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in south-western Australia

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300015480 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 78 (4) ◽

pp. 633-639 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

T. J. Ridsdill-Smith ◽

J. N. Matthiessen

Keyword(s):

Western Australia ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Early Summer ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Seasonal Abundance ◽

Adult Survival ◽

Cattle Dung ◽

Beetle Species ◽

Additional Species

AbstractSeasonal patterns of abundance of Musca vetustissima Walker and scarabaeine dung beetles were measured at Busselton in south-western Australia for two years before and three years after, the introduction and establishment of two species of summer-active dung beetles, Oniticellus pallipes (F.) and Onthophagus binodis (Thunberg). Previously, only a single winter-active native dung beetle species, O. ferox Harold, occurred in this area. The mean dry weight of dung beetles trapped in December (early summer) was unaffected by the establishment of the additional species, and fly populations remained high. In January, however, dung beetle dry weight increased more than 60-fold and M. vetustissima abundance fell to 12% of its previous value, essentially halving the duration of major fly problems in the area. Virtually no flies emerged from cattle dung after December, when dung beetle activity reduced egg-adult survival of M. vetustissima to only 0·5%. It is proposed that better M. vetustissima control could be achieved in much of south-western Australia by introducing additional dung beetle species that are abundant in November and December.

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Spatiotemporal effects on dung beetle activities in island forests-home garden matrix in a tropical village landscape

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-96831-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

G. Asha ◽

K. Manoj ◽

P. P. Megha ◽

Palatty Allesh Sinu

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Functional Groups ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Home Gardens ◽

Home Garden ◽

Sacred Groves ◽

Open Habitat ◽

Wide Range ◽

Closed Habitat

AbstractInsects in seasonal tropics experience a wide range of temperatures along seasons, habitats, and a day. Therefore, the thermal tolerance of the insects can be a major driver for their habitat preference, temporal patterns of activity, and formation of communities. We examined the dung beetle communities of eleven pairs of neighboring open (home gardens) and closed habitats (sacred groves) during dry and wet seasons and diel periods (day and night) to understand the dung beetle activities along a spatiotemporal gradient constituted by the sacred groves—home garden matrix on a tropical village landscape. We tested the following hypotheses: (i) closed habitats have greater activities of dung beetles over open habitats; (ii) the diurnal communities of dung beetles are different from the nocturnal communities; and (iii) the diurnal-nocturnal activities of dung beetles could be predicted by the habitat and season. We considered abundance, richness, total biomass, and Shannon diversity of overall beetles, abundance of different functional groups, and species composition in communities as the quantitative measures in the predictive statistical models. In total, 2727 dung beetles belonging to 38 species, ten genera, and three functional groups were collected. The open habitat supported more number of dung beetles (N = 2318) than the closed habitat (N = 409). The diurnal communities were different from nocturnal communities, particularly in open habitat, where the temperature was different between day and night. The dominant species of the diurnal communities of open habitat hardly used the closed habitat in any context including dry–wet seasons, but the nocturnal communities of the open habitat were closer to the communities of closed habitat. The diel period and habitat predicted the abundance activity of functional groups; season was a poor predictor of dung beetle activities. Given that the species composition has turned over across habitats, and the closed habitat supported remarkably lesser number of beetles than the open habitats, the closed habitat is unlikely to be a thermal refuge for the open habitat species in village landscapes that have island forests, such as sacred groves, and home gardens form a matrix.

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Wood Pastures: A Transitional Habitat between Forests and Pastures for Dung Beetle Assemblages

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12010025 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 25

Author(s):

László Somay ◽

Viktor Szigeti ◽

Gergely Boros ◽

Réka Ádám ◽

András Báldi

Keyword(s):

Functional Group ◽

Animal Health ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Livestock Grazing ◽

Pitfall Traps ◽

Assemblage Composition ◽

Beetle Assemblages

Wood pastures are home to a variety of species, including the dung beetle. Dung beetles are an important functional group in decomposition. Specifically, in terms of livestock manure, they not only contribute to nutrient cycling but are key players in supporting human and animal health. Dung beetles, however, are declining in population, and urgent recommendations are needed to reverse this trend. Recommendations need to be based on solid evidence and specific habitats. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role of an intermediate habitat type between forests and pastures. Wood pastures are key areas for dung beetle conservation. For this reason, we compared dung beetle assemblages among forests, wood pastures, and grasslands. We complemented this with studies on the effects of dung type and season at three Hungarian locations. Pitfall traps baited with cattle, sheep, or horse dung were used in forests, wood pastures, and pasture habitats in spring, summer, and autumn. Dung beetle assemblages of wood pastures showed transient characteristics between forests and pastures regarding their abundance, species richness, Shannon diversity, assemblage composition, and indicator species. We identified a strong effect of season and a weak of dung type. Assemblage composition proved to be the most sensitive measure of differences among habitats. The conservation of dung beetles, and the decomposition services they provide, need continuous livestock grazing to provide fresh dung, as well as the maintenance of wood pastures where dung beetle assemblages typical of forests and pastures can both survive.

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