Density-dependent ecosystem service delivery under shifting temperatures by dung beetles

Gotcha, Nonofo; Cuthbert, Ross N.; Machekano, Honest; Nyamukondiwa, Casper

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150575

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 99 publications

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“…8B ). The significance of climatic factors, especially temperature on dung beetle abundance and species richness has been reported in many studies, e.g., Vessby (2001) , Davis (2002) , Domínguez et al (2015) , Lobo and Cuesta (2021) , Daoudi et al (2022) , Gotcha et al (2022) and seems to even surpass the importance of dung availability ( Gebert et al 2020 ). Recaptures occurred only between July and September and peaked in August ( Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Population structure of Phanaeus vindex (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in SE Michigan

Wassmer

Armstrong

2023

Journal of Insect Science

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Until now, little is known about the population structure and mobility of temperate dung beetles including the rainbow scarab, Phanaeus vindex (MacLeay 1819), although this knowledge is essential for their conservation as pastures become increasingly rare and the landscape fragmented by monocultures and urbanization. Here, we estimated population size, longevity, and dispersal within and between pastures. For 3 yr, we life-trapped beetles every week on 2 adjacent farms in SE Michigan, determined their sex, male morph, and size, and marked their elytra with individual tattoo patterns before releasing them. We marked a total of 470 rainbow scarabs of which 14 were recaptured once and 2 were recaptured twice. The sex ratio was not significantly sex-biased but fluctuated between months with no apparent uniformity between years. While the minor to major male ratios were unbiased in 2019 and 2020, they were marginally minor-biased in 2021. The gross population estimates for the 2 farms were 458–491 and 217 rainbow scarabs, respectively. Beetles traveled distances of up to 178 m within farms. No beetles dispersed between farms. One large female was recaptured after 338 days documenting the first cold hardiness and long lifespan of a cold-temperate dung beetle species in the wild. The low population estimates on both farms indicate 2 vulnerable populations with no or extremely limited connectivity. Supplementary funding for the land stewardship of small-scale cattle farmers could stabilize populations of native dung beetles and maintain their ecosystem services.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Population structure of Phanaeus vindex (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in SE Michigan

Wassmer

Armstrong

2023

Journal of Insect Science

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“…Dung beetles appear to be less sensitive to temperature than fungi and earthworms, with large species able to self-regulate temperature (G omez et al, 2020;Mena, 2001;Verdú et al, 2006). Temperature has been shown to affect dung burial and decomposition in the presence of dung beetles, but reported effects varied widely (Gotcha et al, 2022;Holley & Andrew, 2018;Wu et al, 2011), perhaps due to species differences (Gotcha et al, 2020(Gotcha et al, , 2021. Heavy rainfall accelerates the physical dispersal of dung and could reduce the relative importance of dung movement through beetle activity and, thus, their impacts on parasite larvae (Sands & Wall, 2017).…”

Section: Influence Of Climate and Abiotic Factors On Biotic Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biotic interactions in soil and dung shape parasite transmission in temperate ruminant systems: An integrative framework

Boughton,

Lancaster,

Morgan

2024

Ecological Applications

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Gastrointestinal helminth parasites undergo part of their life cycle outside their host, such that developmental stages interact with the soil and dung fauna. These interactions are capable of affecting parasite transmission on pastures yet are generally ignored in current models, empirical studies and practical management. Dominant methods of parasite control, which rely on anthelmintic medications for livestock, are becoming increasingly ineffective due to the emergence of drug‐resistant parasite populations. Furthermore, consumer and regulatory pressure on decreased chemical use in agriculture and the consequential disruption of biological processes in the dung through nontarget effects exacerbates issues with anthelmintic reliance. This presents a need for the application and enhancement of nature‐based solutions and biocontrol methods. However, successfully harnessing these options relies on advanced understanding of the ecological system and interacting effects among biotic factors and with immature parasite stages. Here, we develop a framework linking three key groups of dung and soil fauna—fungi, earthworms, and dung beetles—with each other and developmental stages of helminths parasitic in farmed cattle, sheep, and goats in temperate grazing systems. We populate this framework from existing published studies and highlight the interplay between faunal groups and documented ecological outcomes. Of 1756 papers addressing abiotic drivers of populations of these organisms and helminth parasites, only 112 considered interactions between taxa and 36 presented data on interactions between more than two taxonomic groups. Results suggest that fungi reduce parasite abundance and earthworms may enhance fungal communities, while competition between dung taxa may reduce their individual effect on parasite transmission. Dung beetles were found to impact fungal populations and parasite transmission variably, possibly tied to the prevailing climate within a specific ecological context. By exploring combinations of biotic factors, we consider how interactions between species may be fundamental to the ecological consequences of biocontrol strategies and nontarget impacts of anthelmintics on dung and soil fauna and how pasture management alterations to promote invertebrates might help limit parasite transmission. With further development and parameterization the framework could be applied quantitatively to guide, prioritize, and interpret hypothesis‐driven experiments and integrate biotic factors into established models of parasite transmission dynamics.

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“…6,8 Among these, temperature and relative humidity (RH) have key roles affecting organismal reproduction, development, abundance, parasitism, functional responses, geographic distribution and overall survival. 3,[9][10][11] The geographical range limit of an insect species is dependent on its ecological tolerance to environmental conditions. 12 Hence, determination of ecological tolerance allows for better prediction of pest species biogeographical patterns.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interactions between insects and their natural enemies are controlled by environmental factors 6,8 . Among these, temperature and relative humidity (RH) have key roles affecting organismal reproduction, development, abundance, parasitism, functional responses, geographic distribution and overall survival 3,9–11 . The geographical range limit of an insect species is dependent on its ecological tolerance to environmental conditions 12 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biogeography of cereal stemborers and their natural enemies: forecasting pest management efficacy under changing climate

Mutamiswa

Chikowore

Nyamukondiwa

et al. 2022

Pest Management Science

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Background Climate warming presents physiological challenges to insects, manifesting as loss of key life‐history fitness traits and survival. For interacting host–parasitoid species, physiological responses to heat stress may vary, thereby potentially uncoupling trophic ecological relationships. Here, we assessed heat tolerance traits and sensitivity to prevailing and future maximum temperatures for the cereal stemborer pests, Chilo partellus, Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis and their endo‐parasitoids, Cotesia sesamiae and Cotesia flavipes. We further used the machine learning algorithm, Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt), to model current and potential distribution of these species. Results The mean critical thermal maxima (CTmax) ranged from 39.5 ± 0.9°C to 44.6 ± 0.6°C and from 46.8 ± 0.7°C to 48.5 ± 0.9°C for parasitoids and stemborers, with C. sesamiae and Ch. partellus exhibiting the lowest and highest CTmax respectively. From the current climate to the 2050s scenario, parasitoids recorded a significant reduction in warming tolerance compared with their hosts. Habitat suitability for all stemborer–parasitoid species was spatially heterogeneous under current and future climatic scenarios. Cotesia sesamiae C. flavipes and B. fusca exhibited significant habitat loss, whereas Ch. partellus and S. calamistis showed a significant habitat gain under future 2050s predictions. Model metrics based on mean area under the curve ranged from 0.72 to 0.84 for all species, indicating a good predictive performance of the models. Conclusion These results suggest C. sesamiae and C. flavipes may face survival constraints or extirpation compared with their pest hosts when environmental temperature reaches their upper thermal limits earlier, likely reducing pest regulation through density‐mediated effects. The results demonstrate potential destabilization of stemborer–parasitoid trophic systems potentially compromising biocontrol efficacy under climate warming. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

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Density-dependent ecosystem service delivery under shifting temperatures by dung beetles

Cited by 10 publications

References 99 publications

Population structure of Phanaeus vindex (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in SE Michigan

Population structure of Phanaeus vindex (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in SE Michigan

Biotic interactions in soil and dung shape parasite transmission in temperate ruminant systems: An integrative framework

Biogeography of cereal stemborers and their natural enemies: forecasting pest management efficacy under changing climate

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