Dung beetle assemblages in forests and pastures of El Salvador: a functional comparison

Abstract

This study examines the functional attributes of Neotropical dung beetles, and, based on the analysis, evaluates the role of dung beetles in pastures and tropical dry forest in El Salvador. Dung beetle diversity was lower in pastures than in forests. However, the total biomass of beetles at similarly-sized dung baits was frequently higher in pastures. Diversity loss followed structured patterns: (1) carrion and fruit feeding beetles were well represented (species number) in the forests but were largely absent from pastures; (2) large ball rollers and small fast tunnellers were present in forests but were absent from pastures;(3) large fast tunnellers and small slow tunnellers were poorly represented in pastures compared to forests but the few species that survived in pastures attained extremely high populations; and (4) each functional group in the species-poor pasture assemblages was divided almost equally into day and night active species. Substrate and habitat generalists that were present in both the forests and pastures were attracted to fruit and carrion in forested habitat but not in open pastures. In open habitats, Xies and other insects may be the principal decomposers of decaying fruit and carrion.

A dirty job: manure removal by dung beetles in both a cattle ranch and laboratory setting

“…Moreover, dung traits such as nutrient content, pellet size, and humidity may determine the arrival of species colonizing dung pads, and even small pellets that act as refuges and food for dung beetles (Finn & Giller, 2000;Horgan, 2005b). Dung pads suffer rapid dehydration and form hard crusts, which leaves a short time lag for dung beetle activity to bury, both for feeding and breeding (Horgan, 2002(Horgan, , 2005a(Horgan, , 2008.…”

Using citizen scientists to measure an ecosystem service nationwide

“…Given the overall value of dung decomposition, the specific contributions of different decomposer taxa have been the subject of intensive investigation (Holter and Hendriksen 1988, Gittings et al 1994, Larsen et al 2005, Slade et al 2007, Horgan 2008, Rosenlew and Roslin 2008, O'Hea et al 2010. Dung beetles in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea have been identified as a global key taxon (Nichols et al 2008), with added contributions by the earthworms (Oligochaeta; Holter andHendriksen 1988, Gittings et al 1994).…”

The Dung- and Carrion-Feeding Scarabs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) of an Amazonian Blackwater Rainforest: Results of a Continuous, 56-Week, Baited-PitfallTrap Study

“…Disturbance of tropical rainforests affects dung beetles by altering temperature, humidity, and soil characteristics, and by reduction or extirpation of dung-producing mammals that serve as producers of food (Davis and Sutton 1998;Andresen 2003;Andresen and Laurance 2007). Destruction of tropical forests results in decreased species richness and abundance of many plants and animals, including Scarabaeinae (Halffter et al 1992;Estrada et al 1998;Davis 2000;Laurance et al 2002;Philips 2005, 2009;Nichols et al 2007;Escobar et al 2008;Horgan 2008;Vulinec et al 2009). Howden and Nealis (1975) found far fewer species (six) and individuals in clearings than in adjoining forests (50 species) in a brief study in Amazonian Colombia.…”