@article {1306, title = {Distribution patterns of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in relict patches of the high Andean forest, Cordillera Oriental of Colombia}, journal = {Caldasia}, volume = {19}, number = {1-2}, year = {1997}, note = {1997Research ArticleSpanish; Non English}, pages = {191-204}, abstract = {This study documents the diversity and distribution patterns of dung beetles in three relictual patches of montane forest located near the Sabana de Bogota. 2486 individuals of 11 species in 6 genera were collected. The most abundant specie was Ontherus brevicollis, collected in two patches, followed by Dichotomius achemas collected in all three patches and Uroxys sp present only in one. Chicaque has the highest species richness with 10 species. We found a clear pattern related to habitat preferences, summarized in 3 groups: pasture beetles, edges and forest interior beetles.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Arthropoda-, Biogeography- (Population-Studies), Canthid, Chondrichthyes-: Pisces-, Chordata-, Coleoptera-: Insecta-, dung-beetles (Coleoptera-), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Invertebrata-, Systematics-and-Taxonomy, Vertebrata-}, author = {Amat-Garcia, German and Lopera Toro, Alejandro and Amezquita Melo, Sandra Jimena} } @article {1482, title = {Biogeographical groups in a southern African, winter rainfall, dung beetle assemblage (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) - consequences of climatic history and habitat fragmentation}, journal = {African Journal of Ecology}, volume = {31}, number = {4}, year = {1993}, note = {1993ArticleEnglish}, pages = {306-327}, abstract = {A study was made of the effects of climate and habitat fragmentation on the biogeographical composition of the dung beetle fauna (Scarabaeinae, Coprinae) in the southwestern Cape, winter rainfall region of South Africa. The fauna was studied at eleven sites and 45 species were recorded. Three geographical species groups (1, 2, 3) were defined for 38 of the species using multivariate techniques. The other seven species have dissimilar widespread distributions and are treated as a fourth group (4). Two groups (1, 3) comprising 31 and three species, respectively, are either endemic or largely restricted to the winter and bimodal rainfall regions of southern Africa. They show extreme numerical dominance in indigenous shrubland but are also well-represented in pasture. Groups 1 and 3 comprise primarily day-flying taxa with an overall peak in abundance during the moist spring. These endemic groups are probably associated with the inception of winter rainfall climate during the Pliocene +- 3 million years before present. The other two groups (2, 4) have a distribution extending into the adjacent summer rainfall region. In the southwestern Cape, they are found predominantly in recently-created pastures. They include equal numbers of day and dusk/night-flying species with peaks in abundance mainly during the dry summer. Most species of these two groups are taxonomically distant from endemic taxa. Frequency of Group 2 relative to climate was greatest in the westerly summer rainfall region one whereas that of Group 4 was greatest in the south-easterly bimodal rainfall region. As most members of Groups 2 and 4 show limited penetration into indigenous shrubland, the findings suggest that these summer-active groups dispersed from the summer rainfall into the winter rainfall region via western and eastern coastal corridors in response to the thinning or clearance of the formerly ubiquitous native shrubs.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Arthropoda-, Biogeography- (Population-Studies), Climatology- (Environmental-Sciences), Coleoptera- (Coleoptera, Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Digestive-System (Ingestion-and-Assimilation), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Invertebrata-, Physiology-}, author = {Davis, Adrian L. V.} } @article {1485, title = {Habitat fragmentation in southern Africa and distributional response patterns in five specialist or generalist dung beetle families (Coleoptera)}, journal = {African Journal of Ecology}, volume = {32}, number = {3}, year = {1994}, note = {1994ArticleEnglish}, pages = {192-207}, abstract = {Effects of habitat fragmentation on spatial distribution patterns of dung beetles were studied in the southwestern Cape in the winter rainfall region of South Africa, where indigenous shrubland has been extensively replaced with crops and pastures. The six most abundant higher taxa of dung beetles showed a range from higher to low discrimination in response to spatial variables based on the results for principal components analysis (PCA) (Scarabaeidae, Aphodiidae, Histeridae, Staphylinidae: predatory subfamilies, Hydrophilidae, Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae). Vegetation type was the principal determinant of spatial distribution whereas annual temperature and rainfall were of much lesser importance. Across the taxonomic sequence from higher to low spatial discrimination, there was a trend from higher to lower proportions of indigenous shrubland specialists. This taxonomic sequence to decreasing spatial discrimination was also related to increasing percentage taxonomic similarity between species assemblages of the higher taxa in the southwestern Cape and those in the distant Transvaal, summer rainfall region PCA (variance) reflected this relationship between local and subcontinental scales of spatial distribution better than a generalization/specialization index (niche width). Species which were widespread on a subcontinental scale (n=25), showed greater pasture associations in the southwestern Cape than in the Transvaal. These trends in spatial distribution patterns indicate that, in response to habitat fragmentation, there has been proportionally greater, recent recruitment of species into southwestern Cape assemblages from spatially less discriminating higher taxa than from spatially more discriminating taxa.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Aphodiidae- (Coleoptera-), Arthropoda-, Behavior-, Biogeography- (Population-Studies), Climatology- (Environmental-Sciences), Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Histeridae- (Coleoptera-), Hydro, Invertebrata-, Physiology-}, author = {Davis, Adrian L. V.} } @article {1489, title = {Daily weather variation and temporal dynamics in an Afrotropical dung beetle community (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)}, journal = {Acta Oecologica}, volume = {16}, number = {6}, year = {1995}, note = {1995 (1996)ArticleEnglish}, pages = {641-656}, abstract = {The influence of weather on dung beetle community dynamics was studied in grassland, open woodland and thickets in Gauteng Province, South Africa. To avoid seasonal effects, sampling was restricted to 18 days during November and December. An examination was made both of dung beetle responses to physical variables and of daily changes in their community structure between habitat patches (dung-baited traps). Recruitment of general adults showed a weaker response to physical variables (rainfall, soil hardness, radiant heat, sub-surface soil temperature) than activity of mature adults which was most frequently correlated to rainfall. There was a range in species responses to rainfall from much higher proportional abundance on moist days to somewhat greater abundance on drier days. Such variable responses led to daily changes in the proportional abundance of moist-adapted and dry-tolerant species groups. Daily changes from low to high species richness were also associated with increased rainfall. These changes led to increased diversity and greater functional complexity of the numerically dominant species component. Abundance of most numerically dominant species increased from low to high species richness. Their rank position either increased, decreased or remained similar. It is concluded that during the summer rainy season, incidence of rainfall is an important determinant of temporal dynamics in dung beetle community structure between habitat patches.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Arthropoda-, Climatology- (Environmental-Sciences), Coleoptera- (Coleoptera-), Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Digestive-System (Ingestion-and-Assimilation), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Invertebrata-, P, Physiology-, Plantae-Unspecified: Plantae-}, author = {Davis, Adrian L. V.} } @article {1499, title = {Climatic and biogeographical associations of Kenyan and northern Tanzanian dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)}, journal = {African Journal of Ecology}, volume = {31}, number = {4}, year = {1993}, note = {1993ArticleEnglish}, pages = {290-305}, abstract = {The equatorial East African highlands were uplifted in the Pliocene, and together with the associated arid lowlands, they delimit several endemic climatic regions. They also form the eastern and northern limits, respectively, of climate types extending westwards across Central and West Africa and southwards into Southern Africa. This climatic convergence made East Africa an ideal area to survey for dung beetles (Scarabaeinae, Copinae) useful as control agents of dung-breeding flies in Australia where a similar range fox climatic regions occurs. Similarities in climatic range between the 104 species showing the broadest frequency distributions were determined using cluster analysis and depicted on a dendrogram. Three groups were defined at the 25\% level of similarity. One group comprised a single montane species endemic to East Africa. A second group (41 spp.) was numerically dominated by East Africa endemics and associated with endemic East African lowland and Southern African climate types. The third group (62 spp.) was primarily associated with upland climate types. Three upland subgroups, defined at the 43\% level of similarity, were dominated by East African endemics and were associated both with endemic East African highland and more broad-based climate types. A fourth subgroup was dominated by climate generalists showing widespread tropical and temperate biogeographical associations. Overall, the most common distribution patterns were East African endemism, range restricted to East and Southern Africa, and pan-African distribution. On the criterion of widespread distribution, about a third of the East African fauna was especially suitable for introduction into Austrailian for fly control.}, keywords = {Biogeography- (Population-Studies), Climatology- (Environmental-Sciences), Digestive-System (Ingestion-and-Assimilation), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Economic-Entomology, Pest-Assessment-Control-and-Management, Physiology-, Systematics-and-Taxonomy}, author = {Davis, Adrian L. V. and Dewhurst, Charles F.} } @article {1682, title = {Spatial and temporal co-occurrence of competitors in Southern African dung beetle communities}, journal = {Journal of Animal Ecology}, volume = {63}, number = {3}, year = {1994}, note = {1994ArticleEnglish}, pages = {629-643}, abstract = {1. Co-occurrence of 11 species of crepuscular-nocturnal medium-sized tunnelling dung beetles from two core functional groups that vary in their rate of dung burial was examined at a range of spatial and temporal scales to identify the likely extent to which competition for dung might affect the structure of beetle communities of subtropical pasture. 2. At the largest scale, clear seasonal co-occurrence and similar habitat preferences (soil type and vegetation associations) were found amongst the species. 3. Medium- and fine-scale distributions of the species were investigated across nine blocks of dung-baited traps dispersed over a 400 ha tract of open cattle pasture, on deep sandy soil in Natal, South Africa. Traps were baited overnight and cleared in the morning in two series of three successive days. 4. There was marked variation in mean numbers caught within and between each 3-day trapping period, and also between blocks in the total number of beetles (pooled over species) or individual species caught per block. The spatial relationship for total beetles between blocks persisted for several days, but not several weeks. 5. Significant intraspecific aggregation was apparent for all species at the medium spatial scale amongst individual pads and between blocks over the 400 ha, but at the finest spatial scale (within blocks) most species were randomly distributed on most occasions, irrespective of the abundance of the species. The actual level of aggregation was thus found to increase at higher spatial scales. 6. Pairwise species comparisons showed little or no positive association on the majority of occasions and negative pairwise associations were exceedingly rare. Positive association between the two functional groups was stronger, however, and positive species association at the community-wide level was evident on most occasions. 7. There was thus some evidence of independent spatial aggregation patterns amongst individual species on a medium spatial scale (400 ha), but not on a fine scale (100 m-2). Intraspecific/functional group aggregation tended to be greater than interspecific/functional group aggregation at all scales of analysis. Despite this, beetle densities in a considerable proportion of pads in the field would indicate, based on previous experimental evidence, that significant levels of inter- and intraspecific/functional group competition for dung is likely to occur. Thus, the aggregative behaviour of species documented here is not predicted to significantly diminish the level of interspecific competition within and between the two functional groups in this system.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Arthropoda-, Catharsius-tricornutus (Coleoptera-), Climatology- (Environmental-Sciences), Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Cop, Copris-elphenor (Coleoptera-), Copris-fallaciosus (Coleoptera-), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Invertebrata-, Physiology-}, author = {Giller, Paul S. and Doube, Bernard M.} } @article {1854, title = {Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) active in patchy forest and pasture habitats in Santa Cruz Province, Bolivia, during spring}, journal = {Folia Entomologica Mexicana}, volume = {84}, year = {1992}, note = {1992ArticleEnglish}, pages = {45-54}, abstract = {The abundance, habitat preferences and flight periods of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in spring was obtained by using cattle dung baited pitfall traps at 4 sites in patchy forest and pasture habitats in Santa Cruz Province, Bolivia. Nine species were trapped in the forest habitat and 4 in the pasture habitat. One species, Onthophagus ptox was trapped in forest and pasture habitats, the other species were stenotopic, found only in forest or only in pasture. Twice as many beetles were attracted to the forest traps but their mean dry weight (biomass/beetle) was 3 times less than the mean dry weight of pasture species. The most important beetles (in terms of biomass) in the forest, Eurysternus caribeus and Ontherus appendiculatus were similar in size and had the same flight periods but their dung utilization methods were different. The most important beetles in the pasture habitat had different flight activities, Gromphas aeruginosa flying during the day and Ontherus sulcator during the night. When forest is cleared, stenotopic forest dung beetles will disappear resulting in reduced species richness. The effect of reduced dung beetle activity in patchy forest could impact on soil structure fertility and water retention making it difficult for reestablishment of the forest.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Arthropoda-, Behavior-, Climatology- (Environmental-Sciences), Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Digestive-System (Ingestion-and-Assimilation), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Eurysternus-caribaeus (C, Forestry-, Invertebrata-, Metabolism-, Physiology-}, author = {Kirk, A. A.} } @article {1855, title = {The effect of the dung pad fauna on the emergence of Musca tempestiva (Dipt.: Muscidae) from dung pads in southern France}, journal = {Entomophaga}, volume = {37}, number = {4}, year = {1992}, note = {Article-English disease ecology, parasite transmission, scarbaeinae, ecological function}, month = {1992}, pages = {507-514}, abstract = {The emergence of Musca tempestiva Fallen, from cow pads in southern France was reduced by a mean of 98\% and 96\% respectively in nine experiments concluded in 1979 and 1981, by the action of the complete dung fauna. Fauna emerging from dung pads and captured in simultaneous trapping using dung baited pitfall traps consisted of 13 Dipterous species (9 Muscidae, 2-Sepsidae and 2 Sphaeroceridae), 25-Coleopterous species (7 Scarabaeidae, 1 Geotrupidae, 2 Aphodiidae, 3 Hydrophilidae, 12 Staphylinidae), 3 Hymenopterous parasites and 1 species of macrochelid and 2 species of parasitoid mites carried phoretically by the dung beetles. The total number of insects and mites per trap was usually small. The Staphylinidae which included 4 Aleochara species of which Aleochara tristits Gravenhorst and A. bipustulata (L.) are known parasitoids of Diptera pupae, and 6 predatory species, were the most abundant insects present. Whilst the overall abundance of insects and mites trapped was relatively low it is probable that the most important factor in the control of M. tempestiva was the combined influence of the different elements making up the dung pad fauna.}, keywords = {Acarina-: Chelicerata-, Animalia-, Arthropoda-, Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Development-, Diptera-: Insecta-, Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Economic-Entomology, Invertebrata-, Parasitology-, Physiology-}, author = {Kirk, A. A.} } @article {1917, title = {Modification in the dung beetles communities on highland grasslands of the Iberian Central System (Spain) along an altitudinal gradient}, journal = {Acta Zoologica Mexicana Nueva Serie}, number = {53}, year = {1992}, note = {1992ArticleSpanish; Non English}, pages = {15-31}, abstract = {The effect of a moderated altitudinal variation (500 m) on the dung beetle communities is studied in highland grasslands of the Iberian Central System. The more is the altitude the less is the richness of these communities. This decrease is more important in the warm south slope stations than in the north slope stations, since south slope grasslands are inhabited for a larger number of species with small populations, which are unable to colonize grasslands of the highest altitude. The Scarabaeidae species are the principal component of this latter group. However there is not an altitudinal variation in the abundance. In addition, north-slope dung beetle communities have a lesser number of species, but similar number of individuals and larger biomass. These results are in accordance with a density compensation pattern.}, keywords = {altitudinal-distribution, Animalia-, Animals-, Arthropoda-, Arthropods-, Coleoptera- (Coleoptera-), Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Insects-, Invertebrata-, Invertebrates-, Physiology-}, author = {Lobo, Jorge M.} } @article {1920, title = {Diversity, biogeographical considerations and spatial structure of a recently invaded dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) community in the Chihuahuan desert}, journal = {Global Ecology and Biogeography Letters}, volume = {5}, number = {6}, year = {1996}, note = {1996Research ArticleEnglish}, pages = {342-352}, abstract = {Analysis of the faunal composition and diversity of Mapimi dung beetle communities indicates that, while much poorer than those near the edges of the Chihuahuan desert, they may possibly have been even more so in the recent past, since at least four of the six captured species were introduced recently into North America. While their overall diversity and composition appear explicable in terms of historic and topographic factors, the regional variation in these communities between sample sites is argued to be a function of the interplay of the environmental requirements of the species and the quantity and quality of trophic resources available.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Animals-, Arthropoda-, Arthropods-, Biogeography- (Population-Studies), Coleoptera-: Insecta-, dung-beetle (Coleoptera-), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Insects-, Invertebrata-, Invertebrates-, Mexico- (North-America, Nearctic-, Physiology-}, author = {Lobo, J. M.} } @article {1938, title = {Local distribution and coexistence of Digitonthophagus gazella (Fabricius, 1787) and Onthophagus batesi Howden and Cartwright 1963 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)}, journal = {Elytron}, volume = {8}, year = {1994}, note = {1994ArticleSpanish; Non English}, pages = {117-127}, abstract = {With data coming from two Mexican Neotropical localities, an analysis of the main niche dimensions of two potential competitors was carried out: an introduced Indoafrican species (D. gazella) and a native one (O. batesi). Both species show similar daily activity. They coexist in grasslands bordering on tropical forest opened for cattle activity. Results show spatial segregation at local level: both species inhabit open areas but O. batesi less so. This latter species also inhabits the forest, mainly at the edge zones. The possible causes of this spatial segregation along the environmental gradient could be related with a different detection capacity of the two species. Since their flying activity occurs at dusk and dawn, we suggest that the detection of humidity has an important role in the observed segregation. We propose that the adults colonize dung pats located in places with suitable environmental conditions that secure progeny survivorship. However. the possibility of competition between these species, cannot be ruled out. From a historic-evolutive perspective the coexistence of both species is recent. It is necessary to determine the spatial behavior of either species where the other one is missing. What happens with possible interactions in overlapping zones (edge-grassland) and studies about immigration-emigration rates from dung pats in these zones, where the two species coexist, are questions for future research.}, keywords = {a, Animalia-, Animals-, Arthropoda-, Behavior-, Climatology- (Environmental-Sciences), Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Digitonthophagus-gazella (Organisms-Unspecified), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Invertebrata-, Onthophagus-batesi (Coleoptera-), Physiology-}, author = {Lobo, Jorge M. and Montes, De Oca Enrique} } @article {1977, title = {A comparative discussion of trophic preferences in dung beetle communities}, journal = {Miscellania Zoologica Barcelona}, volume = {19}, number = {1}, year = {1996}, note = {requested 1/6}, month = {1996}, pages = {13-31}, abstract = {Available information on trophic preferences of dung beetles (Scarabaeoidea) in different biogeographic regions is reviewed. Trophic resource partitioning in a dung beetle (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) community in the "Parque Nacional de Donana", Spain, was also studied, using nine different kinds of wild and domestic vertebrate excrement as trap bait. Undifferentiated attraction to human and herbivore faeces was noted. Human and domestic ungulate faeces was colonized by a richer fauna than that of wild herbivores, which was not the specialized trophic adaptation of any species. Although polyphagy is the most common feeding behaviour, the excrement of carnivores and other omnivores was hardly colonized. This pattern differs from that of other biogeographic regions. Negligible importance of the trophic dimension on the structure of these communities may be due to the early presence of man in the Palaearctic Region. Nevertheless, human interference alone cannot have led to an absence of true polyphagy (undifferentiated attraction to all kinds of faeces). Further research is suggested, aimed at determining whether observed resource partitioning in dung beetles communities is a consequence of human colonization or is a pre-Neolithic evolutionary event.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Arthropoda-, Behavior-, Chordata-, Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Digestive-System (Ingestion-and-Assimilation), dung-beetles (Coleo, Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Hominidae-: Primates-, Invertebrata-, Mammalia-, Nutrition-, Vertebrata-}, author = {Martin-Piera, F. and Lobo, J. M.} } @article {1644, title = {Biological control of horn fly (Haematobia irritans irritans) in Selviria, Mato Grosso do Sul State: 6. Population dynamics of fimicolous insects except for coprophagous Scarabaeidae}, journal = {Revista Brasileira de Entomologia}, volume = {39}, number = {2}, year = {1995}, note = {hard copy in portuguese disease ecology, parasite transmission, scarbaeinae, ecological function}, month = {1995}, pages = {287-296}, abstract = {Fimiculous insects associated with Guzera cattle were obtained by weekly dissection of dung pats of varying age, from January 1991 to January 1992, in Selviria, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. The main insect groups found were in the families Histeridae, Staphylinidae, Hymenoptera (mostly ants) and Isoptera. Histerid populations were greater on dung pats from the rainy season, while Staphylinidae and Hymenoptera and Isoptera were more frequenton dung pats during the dry season. Histeridae, Staphylinidae, Hymenoptera werefound mostly in older droppings, except for the oldest ones, where Isoptera were typically found.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Arthropoda-, Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Digestive-System (Ingestion-and-Assimilation), Diptera-: Insecta-, Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Economic-Entomology, Inver, Invertebrata-, Pathology-, Pest-Assessment-Control-and-Management}, author = {Flechtmann, Carlos Alberto Hector and Rodrigues, Sergio Roberto and Gaspareto, Celso Luiz} } @article {2025, title = {Natural Manuring and Soil Conditioning by Dung Beetles}, journal = {Tropical Ecology}, volume = {34}, number = {2}, year = {1993}, note = {1993ArticleEnglish}, pages = {150-159}, abstract = {To assess the role of dung beetles in conditioning and revitalizing the soil, field and laboratory studies were conducted on three species: Onitis philemon F., O. virens Lansb. and Onthophagus catta (F.). In addition to dung burial and soil excavation, the depth and diameter of their burrows, the nitrogen deposited and the work performed per unit area were also recorded. Dung incorporated per burrow was maximum by O. virens (43.8 +- 6.1 g), followed by O. philemon (21.2 +- 0.9 g) and O. catta (1.6 +- 0.2 g). However, the total work done in an area depended on their population density. Accordingly, the amount of dung deposited per hectare was largest by O. philemon (10.6 kg), followed by O. virens (6.6 kg) and O. catta (1.4 kg).}, keywords = {Animalia-, Arthropoda-, Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Digestive-System (Ingestion-and-Assimilation), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Invertebrata-, Nutrition-, Onitis-philemon (Coleoptera-), Onitis-virens (Coleoptera-), Onthophagus-, Physiology-, Soil-Science}, author = {Mittal, I. C.} } @article {2090, title = {Habitat specificity in African dung beetles: The effect of soil type on dung burial by two species of ball-rolling dung beetles (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae)}, journal = {Tropical Zoology}, volume = {6}, number = {2}, year = {1993}, note = {1993ArticleEnglish}, pages = {243-251}, abstract = {The dung burial ability of two congeneric ball-rolling dung beetles, Allogymnopleurus thalassinus Klug 1855 and Allogymnopleurus consocius Peringuey 1900 was investigated in field experiments in three different textural classes of sod at contrasting moisture levels in order to seek an explanation for their strong associations with particular soil types in the field. The success and depth of burial of dung balls was measured and was strongly associated with sod hardness. Both species were unable to bury dung in soil with a hardness greater than 2 kg/cm-2. Beetles were able to utilize both sand and clay sods for dung burial sites provided the soil was soft. Hard-setting sandy clay soils exceeded the hardness threshold except during brief periods following rain but the deep sand and self-mulching clay soils did not exceed this threshold even when dry. The restriction of each species to soft soils of a particular texture is discussed.}, keywords = {Allogymnopleurus-consocius (Coleoptera-), Allogymnopleurus-thalassinus (C, Animalia-, Arthropoda-, Behavior-, Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Digestive-System (Ingestion-and-Assimilation), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Invertebrata-, Physiology-, Soil-Science}, author = {Osberg, D. C. and Doube, B. M. and Hanrahan, S. A.} } @article {2091, title = {Habitat specificity in African dung beetles: The effect of soil type on the survival of dung beetle immatures (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae)}, journal = {Tropical Zoology}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, year = {1994}, note = {1994ArticleEnglish}, pages = {1-10}, abstract = {The immature stages of two dung beetle species Allgymnopleurus thalassinus Klug 1855 and Allogymnopleurus consocius Peringuey 1900 were reared in the laboratory in three textural classes of soil under different conditions of soil moisture in order to determine whether differential mortality in different soil types could help explain the strong associations between soil type and beetle abundance in the field. Larvae survived well in dry and moist soil treatments, regardless of soil type, but poorly in wet soil treatments. The effect of soil moisture on the distribution of both species in different soil types is discussed.}, keywords = {Allogymnopleurus-consocius (Coleoptera-), Allogymnopleurus-thalassinus (Coleoptera-), Animalia-, Animals-, arthropod, Arthropoda-, Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Development-, Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Invertebrata-, Pathology-, Physiology-, Soil-Science}, author = {Osberg, D. C. and Doube, B. M. and Hanrahan, S. A.} } @article {2097, title = {Testing for seasonal displacement in a dung beetle guild}, journal = {Ecography}, volume = {18}, number = {2}, year = {1995}, note = {1995ArticleEnglish}, pages = {173-177}, abstract = {The temporal overlap between seasonal distribution of adults of 14 congeneric dung beetle species (Aphodius spp.) was determined during one year, based on 11122 captures. The mean seasonal distribution of adults (mean of the sampling dates weighted by the abundance value) was analyzed to elucidate deviations from randomness. In addition, the effect of the shape of seasonal distribution of adults was investigated. In both analyses randomization methods were used. A clear trend exists maximizing the temporal displacement between middle points of chronologically consecutive species: newly emerging species appear every 26 +- 16 days. This trend minimizes the number of species pairs with no or very little temporal overlap. In contrast, the mean temporal overlap of the whole guild seems unaffected, with some species pairs showing a large temporal overlap. Whether the observed pattern can be attributed to interspecific competition must be addressed experimentally.}, keywords = {anima, Animalia-, Aphodius-sp. (Coleoptera-), Arthropoda-, Climatology- (Environmental-Sciences), Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Development-, Digestive-System (Ingestion-and-Assimilation), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Invertebrata-, Nutrition-, Physiology-}, author = {Palmer, Miquel} } @article {2126, title = {The influence of horn and body size on the reproductive behavior of the horned rainbow scarab beetle Phanaeus difformis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)}, journal = {Journal of Insect Behavior}, volume = {7}, number = {1}, year = {1994}, note = {1994ArticleEnglish}, pages = {67-82}, abstract = {The reproductive behavior of horned rainbow scarab beetles, Phanaeus difformis, was studied to determine the influence of morphological traits on intersexual and intrasexual interactions. Phanaeus difformis is a sexually dimorphic dung beetle in which males possess much larger horns than females, and males can be grouped into "major" and "minor" male morph categories based on horn size. Male-female pairs cooperated in nest construction and provisioning. In the laboratory, males of both morphs assisted females and were equally successful at copulating. However, in the field larger individuals had a pairing advantage due to greater success in intrasexual competition. Some males used an alternative mating tactic which involved sneaking copulations with paired females. In most cases the sneak male was smaller than the paired male.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Animals-, Arthropoda-, Arthropods-, Behavior-, Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Development-, Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Genetics-, in, Invertebrata-, morphology-, Phanaeus-difformis (Coleoptera-), Physiology-, Reproductive-System (Reproduction-)}, author = {Rasmussen, Janet L.} } @article {2216, title = {Brood care in the dung beetle Onthophagus vacca (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): The effect of soil moisture on time budget, nest structure, and reproductive success}, journal = {Ecography}, volume = {19}, number = {3}, year = {1996}, note = {1996ArticleEnglish}, pages = {254-258}, abstract = {Under laboratory conditions brood care behaviour, nest structure and weight of dung supply in brood chambers of the dung beetle Onthophagus vacca proved to depend on water content of the soil beneath the dung. The substrate in a bucket beneath the dung pat was dry sand (4\% water content) or moist sand (8\% water content). Emigrating beetles were trapped and counted at 12 h intervals. In a total of 109 replicates one pair was released on an artificial 1000 g dung pat. From 95 replicates in which brood chambers were built the following results were derived: 1) Breeding females and resident males which helped the female stayed longer in dung pats on dry sand than in those on moist sand. 2) Nest architecture was influenced by substrate moisture: length of main tunnels did not differ between nests in dry and moist sand, but total length of side tunnels was shorter in dry sand. 3) Numbers of brood chambers were equal in both substrate types, weight of the dung supplies was larger in dry sand. 4) Offspring size was not only influenced by dung provision in the brood chambers. Beetles emerging from chambers in dry sand were smaller than those emerging from moist sand even if the amount of dung supply was equal.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Animals-, Arthropoda-, Arthropods-, Behavior-, Coleoptera-: Insecta-, Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Invertebrata-, Onthophagus-vacca (Coleoptera-), Physiology-, Reproductive-System (Reproduction-), Scarabaeidae- (Coleoptera-), Soil-Science}, author = {Sowig,Peter} } @article {2292, title = {Iridescent dung beetles: A different angle}, journal = {Florida Entomologist}, volume = {80}, number = {2}, year = {1997}, note = {1997Research ArticleEnglish}, pages = {132-141}, abstract = {Iridescence, in both the visible and ultraviolet (UV) spectra, is produced by various means and may serve several functions in different animals. In insects, such colors are often considered as anti-predator adaptations, either crypsis or aposematism, or a means of thermoregulation. A less explored alternative is social signaling. Iridescent colors are particularly useful in this context because they are brightest from certain directions and body orientation could be employed to direct a visual signal to particular receivers. In phanaeine dung beetles the head and prothoracic shield reflect a visible-light and UV iridescence that is best seen from a position facing the insect. The less iridescent male horn is silhouetted against the prothoracic shield. Since, horn size is indicative of male size, such a display may be directed to sexual competitors in agonistic interactions. Broad and reflective prothoracic surfaces on males might also be preferred by females choosing a mate, who will cooperate in future brood care, since they would make infestations of kleptoparasitic flies more obvious.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Animals-, Arthropoda-, Arthropods-, Behavior-, Coleoptera-: Insecta-, dung-beetle (Coleoptera-), Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Insects-, Integumentary-System (Chemical-Coordination-and-Homeostasis), Invertebrata-, Invertebrate, morphology-}, author = {Vulinec, Kevina} } @article {2313, title = {Selection of the spatial habitat of Coprophagous beetles in the Kaiserstuhl area near Freiburg (SE-Germany)}, journal = {Acta Oecologica}, volume = {16}, number = {4}, year = {1995}, note = {1995ArticleEnglish}, pages = {461-478}, abstract = {1. In an all-year-round survey of coprophagous beetles in a pasture in the Kaiserstuhl area (SW-Germany), cow-pats and sheep lumps were gathered from two field areas and one wooded area twice a month. 40,298 beetles belonging to 40 species of Scarabaeoidea and 14 of Hydrophilidae were detected. The small site on the Kaiserstuhl has the highest species diversity of Scarabaeoidea species among all local dung beetle coenoses described in Europe thus far. 2. In all seasons of the year, population density and biomass of dung beetles were higher on the open pastures than in the wooded pasture. Only in summer and on the coldest days of winter, values of both macrohabitats were approximately the same, which might be due to the mediated climate of wooded habitats in those seasons. 3. 11 out of 29 abundant species showed a clear preference for open macrohabitats, while only four preferred the wooded macrohabitat. All other species were eurytopic. Faunistic similarity was low among all three macrohabitats and did not show closer relationships between the two open pastures than between both of them and the wooded pasture. 4. Sheep lumps were more densely populated than cow-pats, whereas the latter contained a higher biomass in dung beetles. The cow-pat community was higher in species number as well as in diversity. Faunistic similarity between both dung beetle communities was minimal. 5. 13 out of 32 abundant dung beetle species preferred each dung type. Mean size of Scarabaeoidea dung beetles preferring sheep lumps was significantly lower than of those preferring cow-pats. Regardless their size difference, all but one Hydrophilidae species showed a pronounced preference for cow-pats. 6. Selection of the spatial habitats played a minor role in compartmentation of the total niche space of the dung beetle community as compared to temporal niche dimensions such as seasonality. As in the case of seasonality, Aphodius was best separated within the genus.}, keywords = {Animalia-, Arthropoda-, Bovidae-: Artiodactyla-, Chordata-, Climatology- (Environmental-Sciences), Coleoptera-: Insecta-, cow- (Bovi, Ecology- (Environmental-Sciences), Invertebrata-, Mammalia-, Metabolism-, Nutrition-, Physiology-, Vertebrata-}, author = {Wassmer, Thomas} }