Dung beetle assemblages, dung removal and secondary seed dispersal: data from a large-scale, multi-site experiment in the Western Palaearctic

Milotic, Tanja; Baltzinger, Christophe; Eichberg, Carsten; Eycott, Amy E.; Heurich, Marco; Müller, Jörg; Noriega, Jorge Ari; Menéndez, Rosa; Stadler, Jutta; Ádám, Réka; Bargmann, Tessa; Bilger, Isabelle; Buse, Jörn; Calatayud, Joaquín; Ciubuc, Constantin; Boros, Gergely; Hauso, Marie; Jay‐Robert, Pierre; Kruus, Märt; Merivee, Enno; Miessen, Geoffrey; Must, Anne; Ardali, Elham Omidzadeh; Preda, Elena; Rahimi, Iraj; Rohwedder, Dirk; Rose, Rob; Slade, Eleanor M.; Somay, László; Tahmasebi, Pejman; Ziani, Stefano; Hoffmann, Maurice

doi:10.21425/f5101-237289

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Ecosystem functions such as dung decomposition and secondary seed dispersal are most likely affected by the amount of dung taken and the direction of dung transport. In our study, dung beetle species were assigned to one of the three main dung beetle functional groups: dwellers, tunnellers or rollers (Milotić et al., ). As the amount of dung transport is strongly correlated with beetle size (Horgan, ), beetles were further subdivided into size classes, as either small or large (body size smaller or larger than 1 cm).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Functionally richer communities improve ecosystem functioning: Dung removal and secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles in the Western Palaearctic

Milotic

Baltzinger

Eichberg

et al. 2018

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim In several ecosystems, the diversity of functional species traits has been shown to have a stronger effect on ecosystem functioning than taxonomic diversity alone. However, few studies have explored this idea at a large geographical scale. In a multisite experiment, we unravelled the relationship between ecosystem function and functional completeness of species assemblages using dung beetles as a model group, focusing on dung removal and secondary seed dispersal. Location Seventeen grassland locations across the Western Palaearctic. Methods We used a randomized block design with different exclosure types to control the dung and seed removing activities of individual functional groups of the local dung beetle assemblage. We classified dung beetle species according to resource specialization and into functional groups based on dung processing behaviour (dwellers, tunnellers, rollers) and body size (small, large). Additionally, we assessed the role of other soil macro‐invertebrates. By sampling the dung beetle community and measuring the remaining dung and seeds after the experiment, the impact of each functional group was estimated. Results Dung beetle assemblages differed along a north–south and east–west gradient. Dwellers dominated northernmost sites, whereas at lower latitudes we observed more tunnellers and rollers indicating a functional shift. Resource specialists were more abundant in southern and eastern areas. Overall, functional group diversity enhanced dung removal. More dung (+46.9%) and seeds (+32.1%) were removed in the southern sites and tunnellers and rollers were more effective. At the northernmost sites, where tunnellers were scarce or absent, other soil macro‐invertebrates removed the majority of dung. Main conclusions The conservation of functionally complete dung beetle assemblages is crucial to maintain the ecosystem functions provided by dung beetles. Given the latitudinal variation in functional group diversity, it is reasonable to expect compositional changes due to climate change. These changes could lead to increased dung removal and a higher secondary seed dispersal rate in northern regions.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the experiments in 2015 and 2016, sampling effort was lowered by using only the latter trap type (Milotić et al. ). Traps were set up randomly between the experimental units with six replicates per dung type (Figure c).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functionally richer communities improve ecosystem functioning: Dung removal and secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles in the Western Palaearctic

Milotic

Baltzinger

Eichberg

et al. 2018

Journal of Biogeography

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“…Feces and their diaspore content can then be mobilized by other biotic vectors in a secondary step as depicted with coprophagous beetles (scenario Bi2, Figure 1). Depending on their functional group (Milotić et al, 2018(Milotić et al, , 2019, dung beetles move diaspores horizontally (small and large rollers), bury them more or less deeply (small and large tunnellers and rollers, D'hondt et al, 2008) or leave them roughly in the same place (dwellers). This case is known as diplochory, or secondary dispersal.…”

Section: Endozoochory and Secondary Dispersal By Dung Beetlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The presence of the fecal matrix, which differentiates full endozoochory from both regurgitation and fur-epizoochory, will favor biotic interactions with different functional and taxonomic groups. Decomposers (e.g., soil macroinvertebrates, different types of dung beetles, Milotić et al, 2018Milotić et al, , 2019 will move diaspores toward specific microhabitats. D'hondt et al (2008) showed that dung beetles had a negative effect on short-term seedling establishment, probably due to the deep burial of diaspores by large tunnellers.…”

Section: Quality Of the Deposition Site For Germination And Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plants on the Move: Hitch-Hiking With Ungulates Distributes Diaspores Across Landscapes

Baltzinger

Karimi

Shukla³

2019

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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We here describe the multiple mechanisms by which ungulates distribute diaspores across landscapes. There are three primary and three secondary seed dispersal mechanisms by which ungulate dispersal agents contribute to the spread of plant diaspores, both with and without the intervention of other biotic and abiotic agents. These dispersal mechanisms may be combined in successive interdependent steps. Native, introduced and domestic ungulates co-occur in many ecosystems and frequently interact with numerous plant species, which facilitates long-distance dispersal of both native and exotic plants. However, ungulate taxonomic diversity conceals a much higher diversity in terms of the functional traits involved in ungulate-mediated dispersal (e.g., feeding regime, fur morphology). These traits may strongly affect emigration, transfer and immigration in the animal-mediated plant dispersal, and consequently; they may also impact overall seed dispersal effectiveness, both quantitatively and qualitatively. In this review, we compare internal mechanisms, where seeds must survive digestive treatments (regurgitation, endozoochory), with external mechanisms, where diaspores are carried on the outside of the vectors (epizoochory). We include both primary epizoochory (direct adhesion to fur essentially) and secondary epizoochory (diaspore-laden mud adhering to hooves or the body and, transfer through contact with a conspecific). We addressed the overlap/complementarity of ungulates for the plant species they disperse through a systematic literature review. When two ungulate species co-occur, there is always an overlap in the plant species dispersed by endozoochory or by fur-epizoochory. Further, when we consider the proportion of plant species dispersed both internally and externally by an ungulate, the overlap is higher for grazing than browsing ungulates. We identify two challenges for the field of dispersal ecology: the proportion of all diaspores produced that are carried over long distances by ungulates, and the relative importance of ungulates on the whole as the main dispersal agent for plants. Furthermore, the fact that numerous plants dispersed by fur-epizoochory do not feature any specific adaptations is intriguing. We discuss unsolved methodological challenges and stress research perspectives related to ungulate-mediated dispersal: for example, taking animal behavior and cognition into account and studying how ungulates contribute to the spread of invasive exotic plants and altitudinal plant dispersal.

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“…Among the various organisms that compose the biota, insects are one of the main groups responsible for ecosystem services essential to humans, such as pollination, seed dispersal, biological pest control and decomposition (Fiedler et al, 2008;Nichols et al, 2008;Schowalter, 2012;Braga et al, 2013;Milotić et al, 2018;Dunn et al, 2020;Elizalde et al, 2020), not only in natural environments but also in anthropic environments and semi-natural habitats (Ramos et al, 2020). However, for the Cerrado biome, few studies have evaluated how land use changes affect insect communities (Almeida et al, 2011;Neves et al, 2012;Calvão et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in land use affect dung beetle communities but do not affect ecosystem services in the Cerrado of Central Brazil

Oliveira

Frizzas

2021

Ecological Entomology

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1. Changes in land use have been identified as one of the main drivers of global biodiversity loss, and also negatively affect ecosystem services. Dung beetles are capable of providing a variety of ecosystem services and can be used as bioindicators.2. We assess whether the land use changes of the Cerrado areas for agricultural purposes (pasture and soybean crops) affects dung beetle community and the associated ecosystem services (dung removal and secondary seed dispersal) provided by dung beetles on their diversity in the Federal District, Brazil.3. A total of 32 261 individuals (Scarabaeinae, Aphodiinae and Anaidinae) were collected. The abundance and biomass of dung beetles were significantly higher in soybean (n = 19 354; biomass = 1145.4 g) and pasture (n = 9865; biomass = 753.6 g) compared to cerrado (n = 3042; biomass = 311.6 g). Sixty-one species were collected in the cerrado, 58 in soybean and 56 in pasture, most species were paracoprids (52-60%), but no significant differences were observed for the species richness and diversity indices among the different land use systems. The structure of the dung beetle community in areas of the cerrado was distinct from that in pasture and soybean areas, and the latter two were similar. The land use systems did not affect the ecosystem services provided by dung beetles.4. Our results showed that the Cerrado dung beetle community was unique and specific, indicating an imperative need for its preservation, due to its intrinsic value and its importance for the functioning of the ecosystem.

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Dung beetle assemblages, dung removal and secondary seed dispersal: data from a large-scale, multi-site experiment in the Western Palaearctic

Cited by 9 publications

References 13 publications

Functionally richer communities improve ecosystem functioning: Dung removal and secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles in the Western Palaearctic

Functionally richer communities improve ecosystem functioning: Dung removal and secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles in the Western Palaearctic

Plants on the Move: Hitch-Hiking With Ungulates Distributes Diaspores Across Landscapes

Changes in land use affect dung beetle communities but do not affect ecosystem services in the Cerrado of Central Brazil

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