Habitat type affects the structure but not the composition of dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) assemblages in a tropical deciduous forest of southeastern Mexico

Abstract

In this study, we compared the Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera) assemblages between two contrasting habitats (conserved forest versus urban habitat), located between the boundary of an urban zone and a protected area within the Mexican state of Chiapas. We collected 1003 individuals of 22 species and 12 genera. The composition of assemblages was similar between habitats, with a high species dominance. However, the identity of the dominant species differed between habitats, with 11 species considered indicators of one of the two conditions (five species in the conserved forest sites and six species in urban habitat sites), whereas three other species exhibited generalist habits. Large paracoprids predominate in the conserved forest, and small paracoprids in the urban habitat. The apparent homogeneity in the dung beetle assemblages probably is due to the high density of domestic and feral animals replacing native mammals and is promoted by the loss of forest-dependent species caused by continuous landscape fragmentation. Nonetheless, the association of some species with forest habitat and the differences in the structure of functional groups indicate the importance of conserving these forest remnants, which would help to mitigate the negative impact of urbanised areas, as these species are generally sensitive to the habitat fragmentation process.