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

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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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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On the Parasites and Predators of the Cockroach. I.—Tetrastichus hagenowii (Ratz.)

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1017/s0007485300030807 ◽

1955 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 137-147 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Ewen Cameron

Keyword(s):

Distinct Species ◽

Point Of View ◽

Individual Species ◽

The World ◽

Group A ◽

Algae And Bacteria ◽

The Individual ◽

Biological Methods ◽

Diverse Groups ◽

Important Parasite

In this paper the cockroach, a general name used here to include the commoner species of Periplaneta, Blatta and Blattella, etc., is approached from an economic and medical point of view. Special emphasis is placed on the possibilities of its control by biological methods, and to this end the whole field of its inter-relationships with other organisms in various parts of the world has been carefully surveyed. As a result some 73 parasites, predators and symbionts from such widely diverse groups as the Protozoa, Nematoda, Insecta, Arachnida, the Algae and Bacteria have been reviewed and classified.The more important parasites, some 25 in number, have been placed along with the chief predators in a group (A) by themselves. Most of the former are members of the Hymenoptera-Parasitica, the more prominent being the Eulophid, Tetrastichus hagenowii (Ratz.), and the Evaniid, Evania appendigaster L., with six of its congeners. Amongst the predators of this group, certain Sphecoid wasps of the genus Ampulex, represented by seven distinct species, take pride of place. In the second big division (B) the individual species are mostly members of the Protozoa, with Endamoeba as a prominent genus, and of the Nematoda, with several genera, most of them in the Oxyuroidea.The present paper, which is intended to serve as the introductory one of a series on the natural enemies of the cockroach, deals in detail with a very important parasite, namely the Eulophid, Tetrastichus hagenowii.

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Indirect restoration of ecological interactions: reintroduction of a dung-beetle associated primate increases the recruitment of large seeds

10.1101/2021.01.20.427460 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Anna R. Landim ◽

Fernando A. S. Fernandez ◽

Alexandra S. Pires

Keyword(s):

Plant Regeneration ◽

Seed Dispersal ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Howler Monkey ◽

Burial Depth ◽

Ecological Interactions ◽

Forest Fragment ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

Secondary Seed Dispersal

AbstractThe biased loss of large and medium frugivores alters seed dispersal and plant regeneration. Species reintroductions have been proposed as a strategy to reverse the consequences of species loss. However, the effects of reintroductions on ecological processes are seldom accessed, which hinders the comprehension of reintroductions’ potential to reestablish functioning ecosystems. In this study, we investigate the effect of howler monkey (Alouatta guariba) reintroduction on the plant regeneration of Tijuca National Park (TNP), a defaunated Atlantic Forest fragment. Howlers are folivore-frugivore primates, whose large clumped defecations attract dung beetles, which provide secondary dispersal by burying seeds present in the howlers’ feces. Thus, we expect that the fate of seeds dispersed by howlers will differ from those dispersed by other frugivores present in the Park. We followed the fate of seeds between 3 and 14mm in diameter in three steps of the seed dispersal loop, each one consisting of a different experiment. First, we estimated secondary seed dispersal and burial depth probabilities according to the frugivores’ defecation pattern; then, predation probability in different burial depths and defecation patterns; and, finally, recruitment probability in different burial depths. Considering the final result of the three experiments, the howlers’ reintroduction affected positively the regeneration of large seeds. The fate of 3mm seeds was little affected because they were seldom preyed upon at shallower depths anyway and could not recruit when deeply buried. On the other hand, seeds larger than 3mm reached the seedling stage more frequently when dispersed by howlers than when dispersed by other animals present in the Park. Thus, howler monkey reintroduction in defaunated areas, in addition to smaller frugivores, whose defecation patterns are less attractive for dung beetles, improves the regeneration of large seeds. We hope that this study will stimulate new howler reintroductions in defaunated areas.

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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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Does Neem trigger the same response as Ivermectin? Dung beetle behaviour and physiology

10.7287/peerj.preprints.26770 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Agnis Souza ◽

Ronara Ferreira-Châline ◽

Nicolas Châline ◽

Vanesca Korasaki ◽

Wallace Beiroz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Fat ◽

Physiological Stress ◽

Soxhlet Extraction ◽

Dung Beetle ◽

Fat Content ◽

Dung Beetles ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Ecological Functions ◽

Veterinary Pharmaceutical ◽

Body Fat Content

Potential negative effects of the synthetic veterinary pharmaceutical, Ivermectin, on non-target fauna have generated a search for less-toxic alternatives. Thus, Neem plant extract (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) has been used as a natural alternative to replace Ivermectin worldwide. However, little is known about the effects of this natural veterinary pharmaceutical’s residues on the behaviour and physiology of adult dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae), which use livestock dung as a feeding and nesting resource. To understand such effects, we performed a non-choice experiment using Dichotomius nisus Oliver, 1798. We evaluated effects of Neem and Ivermectin residues on the ecological functions of dung burial and soil bioturbation performed by dung beetles. Additionally, we performed Soxhlet extraction of dung beetle body fat content to evaluate physiological stress in response to ingestion of Ivermectin or Neem. Our results showed that D. nisus do not alter their behaviour in the presence of Neem and Ivermectin residues in dung when contrasted with the control after 48 hours. However, individuals feeding on dung with Ivermectin residues for a period of twenty days had 5% more body fat content than those from control and Neem treatments. Our findings provide the first evidence that Neem can be a less toxic alternative to non-target fauna than Ivermectin.

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An annotated checklist of the freshwater Tricladida of the Nearctic and Neotropical Regions

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z69-013 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 59-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ian R. Ball

Keyword(s):

Taxonomic Status ◽

Western Hemisphere ◽

Valid Species ◽

Individual Species ◽

Generic Level ◽

Specific Level ◽

The Individual ◽

Annotated Checklist ◽

North And South America ◽

North And South

Sixty-three valid species of freshwater triclads (Platyhelminthes, Turbellaria), representing 16 genera, are listed from North and South America. Comments on nomenclatural problems or changes of taxonomic status are included when necessary. Worldwide distributional data are provided at the generic level, but at the specific level only the Western hemisphere is considered. The taxonomic status of four incompletely described species is also briefly discussed. A bibliography of 84 references directs users of the checklist to the most important recent papers dealing with the taxonomy and distribution of the individual species, and provides a key to the older literature. New records for Canada, involving nine species, are given preliminary mention.

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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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The Centetostoma scabriculum complex—a group of three cryptic species (Arachnida: Opiliones: Nemastomatidae)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2783.1.3 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2783 (1) ◽

pp. 35 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

JOCHEN MARTENS

Keyword(s):

Distinct Species ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Individual Species ◽

Small Scale ◽

Genital Morphology ◽

Closely Related Species ◽

The Third ◽

The Individual ◽

Male Genital Morphology ◽

Male Genital

Nemastoma scabriculum Simon, 1879 turned out to be a group of three closely related species of the Pyrenees in SW Europe (France and Spain). Though the species are similar in general habit they can easily be recognized by external morphology (structure of the apophysis of male chelicerae) and male genital morphology (penial structure). For Nemastoma scabriculum Simon, 1879 sensu stricto a lectotype is designated. The synonymous Nemastoma ventalloi Mello-Leitao, 1936 is considered to be a distinct species and is re-described. The third species of the group is described as new, Centetostoma juberthiei sp. n. Though partly sympatric in their restricted Pyrenean area, the individual species are found to be small-scale allopatric; only twice have two species been found in syntopy in narrowly circumscribed localities. Centetostoma Kratochvíl, 1958 is confined to presently comprise one Southwest Alpine and three Pyrenean species.

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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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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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