Landscape effects on taxonomic and functional diversity of dung beetle assemblages in a highly fragmented tropical forest

Rivera, Jose D.; Silva, Pedro Giovâni da; Favila, Mario E.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119390

Cited by 21 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…Since tropical dung beetles are susceptible to anthropic landscape disturbances (Alvarado et al, 2018;Rivera et al, 2021), we expected that ecological functions would also be affected by forest cover loss or fragmentation, as reported in previous studies (Alvarado et al, 2019;G omez-Cifuentes et al, 2020). In the present study, these landscape variables did not explain dung burial, consistent with other studies on tropical dung beetles (Amézquita & Favila, 2010;Carvalho et al, 2021) that reported similar results.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Seven pitfall traps were baited with 50 g of pig dung, alternating them with seven traps baited with 50 g of rotten fish. The traps remained active in the field for 48 h. Rivera et al (2021) provide detailed information regarding dung beetle sampling and identification.…”

Section: Study Site and Dung Beetle Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study aims to evaluate how the taxonomic, functional and PD of dung beetles are related to dung burial, soil excavation and fly control in Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve (hereafter, LTBR), a protected but highly fragmented human‐modified tropical landscape. Previous studies by Rivera et al (2021), Rivera et al (2022) have assessed the taxonomic, functional and PD of dung beetles and their assembly mechanisms in LTBR. However, how these diversity dimensions and landscape characteristics drive their ecological functions is unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies byRivera et al (2021),Rivera et al (2022) have assessed the taxonomic, functional and PD of dung beetles and their assembly mechanisms in LTBR. However, how these diversity dimensions and landscape characteristics drive their ecological functions is unknown.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The ecological functions of dung beetles are shaped by multiple dimensions of diversity

Rivera,

de los Monteros,

Favila

2023

Insect Conserv Diversity

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A mechanistic understanding of the relationship between multiple dimensions of species diversity and ecosystem functioning is needed to safeguard ecological processes critical to human well‐being. We evaluated how taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversities, as well as the assembly mechanisms of dung beetle communities, percent forest cover and landscape fragmentation, affect dung burial, soil excavation efficiency and dung fly larvae abundance in Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, a complex tropical landscape. Dung beetle functions were measured in 15 landscapes representing a gradient of forest cover loss (0%–100%). Phylogenetically clustered assemblages of large tunneler dung beetles showed the highest dung burial efficiency across the landscape. Fly larvae abundance was negatively correlated with the taxonomic diversity and functional evenness of dung beetles. Forest cover and landscape fragmentation did not significantly affect dung burial effectiveness, suggesting a high degree of functional redundancy. Dung burial efficacy is mainly driven by selection mechanisms, in which a single or a few phylogenetically close species disproportionately affect a given function. Fly larvae abundance was controlled by a complementary functional effect where each dung beetle species additively affected fly larvae survival. Hence, multiple functions are maintained by contrasting mechanisms and different diversity dimensions. High dung beetle species richness may foster pest fly control in tropical landscapes such as Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve. Our findings highlight the need to assess multiple dimensions of diversity since each can operate concurrently and contrastingly on the different ecological functions of species assemblages.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Study Site and Dung Beetle Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The ecological functions of dung beetles are shaped by multiple dimensions of diversity

Rivera,

de los Monteros,

Favila

2023

Insect Conserv Diversity

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“…Our results show that richness in cattle pastures varied between zero and eight species, while Shannon diversity ( In the studied cattle pastures, small-sized species that have a high tolerance to habitat disturbance are favored, as observed in other tropical agricultural landscapes (Alvarado et al 2018;Rivera et al 2021). The complete replacement of neotropical forests with exotic grasses has impoverished dung beetle communities because some species, specially big-sized species, cannot cope with the drastic changes in temperature and humidity characteristic of grazed sites, probably due to physiological constraints (Verdú et al 2006).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Influence of landscape and livestock management on dung beetle diversity in tropical cattle pastures

et al. 2023

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To achieve a balance between conservation and livestock production in the context of highly degraded tropical landscapes, we need a research approach that considers relationships among biodiversity, landscape structure, and farming practices. Given that dung beetles are sensitive to both landscape changes and local scale management practices, these insects are used as ecological indicators that provide information regarding the pasture's health. We assessed the response of dung beetle diversity to livestock management practices and landscape structure in 22 cattle pastures from a regional relictual landscape dominated by productive land uses. Livestock management practices were the best predictors for species richness, Shannon diversity, and number of individuals. Macrocyclic lactone use was negatively related to species richness and number of individuals; high cattle densities increased Shannon diversity in the studied ranches. Patches of old-secondary forest cover had a positive signi cant relationship with every response variable and was the best predictor for biomass, but also contributed to maintaining high species richness in cattle pastures, suggesting that secondary forests provide favorable microclimatic conditions for dung beetles in highly degraded landscapes. This study provides evidence that conservation of old-secondary forests in highly modi ed landscapes and the rational use of macrocyclic lactones can be useful management tools to favor dung beetle diversity and the ecosystem services they provide, thus ensuring pasture health.

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Mexican Insects in the Anthropocene

Gómez¹,

Gortari²,

Jones³

2023

Mexican Fauna in the Anthropocene

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Landscape effects on taxonomic and functional diversity of dung beetle assemblages in a highly fragmented tropical forest

Cited by 21 publications

References 63 publications

The ecological functions of dung beetles are shaped by multiple dimensions of diversity

The ecological functions of dung beetles are shaped by multiple dimensions of diversity

Influence of landscape and livestock management on dung beetle diversity in tropical cattle pastures

Mexican Insects in the Anthropocene

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