02175nas a2200145   4500008004100000245011200041210006900153260000800222300001000230490000700240520171000247653001701957100002101974856003401995       1997                        eng d00aClimatic and biogeographical associations of southern African dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae s str)0 aClimatic and biogeographical associations of southern African du  cMar  a10-380 v353 aClimatic and biogeographical associations of southern African dung beetles (Scarabaeinae, Coprinae) were analysed from a collection amassed between 1971 and 1986. Endemism to Africa south of 15 degrees S was much greater in southwesterly climates (winter rainfall, bimodal spring/autumn rainfall, arid late summer rainfall) than to the north-east in the moist, mid- summer rainfall region. Major biogeographical groups centred to the south-west comprised predominantly southern African endemics, Western/Eastern Cape coast, Karoo, Karoo/Namib, northern Namibia and the south-western Kalahari. Biogeographical groups centred on the south-eastern highlands and the subtropical east coast (midsummer rainfall) also comprised predominantly southern African endemics. All other major groups centred to the north-east in the mid-summer rainfall region comprised predominantly species with widespread tropical biogeographical affiliations, pan-southern Africa but centred in the east, pan-mid-summer rainfall region, eastern mid-summer rainfall region, tropical east Zimbabwe/central Mocambique, subtropical/tropical game reserves (non-ruminant dung specialists). There were cross-climatic differences in taxonomic composition of the fauna. Within the winter rainfall region, percentage species composition of Scarabaeinae was greater whereas that of the coprine tribe, Onthophagini, was lower than within the other three climatic regions. Percentage species richness of most other tribes of Coprinae differed little between most climates but that of Scarabaeinae declined from west to east (Canthonini, Scarabaeini), east to west (Sisyphini) or to either side of the late summer rainfall region (Gymnopleurini).10aDung beetles1 aDavis, A., L. V.  u<Go to ISI>://A1997WW15100002