01867nas a2200133   4500008004100000245010600041210006900147300001200216490000800228520133000236100002001566700001701586856013001603       1994                        eng d00aResource partitioning in coprophagous beetles from sheep dung: phenology and microhabitat preferences0 aResource partitioning in coprophagous beetles from sheep dung ph  a171-1920 v1213 aOn a pasture in SW-Germany coprophagous beetles (Scarabaeidae, Hydrophilidae: Sphaeridiinae and Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae) from sheep droppings were studied conside- ring the following niche dimensions: season, size, type and water content of the dropping. 1. Phenological differences were found especially within endocoprid Scarabaeidae. Dominant Aphodius-species. were clearly separated from each other by their phenology, while nearly all Hydrophilidae from the genus Cercyon and paracoprid Scarabaeidae were most abundant in May. 2. Sheep produce different types of droppings, either compact lumps or small pellets. The latter are mostly deposited in groups. Since these pellets dry out quickly, but rehydrate during rainfall, a high variability of humidity conditions makes pellets unattractive to many dung bettles. 3. Pairwise niche overlap indices in coprophagous beetles from sheep droppings were calculated regarding two niche dimensions: dropping size and water content. Cluster trees showed a clear distinction between species according to these microhabitat factors. Especially Hydrophilidae tend to avoid small droppings which might be due to unstable humidity conditions there. Mean intrageneric overlap within genera with more than one species was equal to or even higher than mean intergeneric overlap rates.1 aFischer, Gustav1 aJena, Verlag  uhttps://scarabnet.myspecies.info/resource-partitioning-coprophagous-beetles-sheep-dung-phenology-and-microhabitat-preferences