Population and movement ecology of two life‐history contrasting dung beetle species in a tropical human‐modified landscape

Abstract

1. The study of population movements and abundance are useful to evaluate the reduction of biodiversity due to changes in landscape composition and configuration. These parameters are modulated by the effects of landscape on individuals' behaviours and species' life histories (e.g., specialists and generalists in forest use).2. We used hierarchical models and tools derived from network theory to evaluate how landscape characteristics affect the abundance and movement patterns of the neotropical dung beetle species Deltochilum mexicanum and Dichotomius satanas with contrasting life histories in a human-modified landscape of a Mexican cloud forest.3. Movement and abundance patterns observed for both species and sexes showed opposite responses to the percentage of forest cover and edge density. The specialist species showed a higher abundance, lower movement and spatial distribution limited to the forest, whereas the generalist species showed a lower abundance, higher movement and unrestricted distribution. For both species, males tended to travel longer distances than females, but we observed no difference in the movement metrics between sexes. 4. Our findings highlight the effects of landscape covariables on population structure and dynamics, predict spatial dynamics of species habitat use and could be evidence of functional connectivity at the landscape scale.

The conversion of native savannah into pasturelands does not affect exclusively species diversity: Effects on physiological condition of a highly abundant dung beetle species

“…In the scenario of our study, we have a native arboreous habitat (Cerrado) and an open‐canopy one (pasture). Considering that P. palaeno inhabit both conserved and disturbed sites in Cerrado (Correa et al., 2020; Puker et al., 2014), we could consider that its populations are able to move across these two habitats – as observed in other tropical dung beetles (Barretto et al., 2023; Cultid‐Medina et al., 2015). Under this assumption, the similar body sizes of individuals found in Cerrado and pasture could indicate that intraspecific competitive pressures that depend on beetle body size (e.g., competition for partners) are similar between those habitats.…”

Development of underground detection system using a metal detector and aluminum tag for Copris ochus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

“…On the other hand, little is known about its behavior including foraging and dispersal patterns during pre-reproductive stage prior to nesting stage, which would play an important role in understanding the ecology of this species and formulating an effective species conservation strategy. Mark and recapture in association with dung-baited traps has served as one of the most frequently used methods to study the distribution and behavior of dung beetles ( Cultid-Medina et al 2015 , Silva and Hernández 2015 , Barretto et al 2023 ). However, this approach may not be as effective without existing knowledge of their dispersal capacity or the reach of the lure ( Miller et al 2015 , Kirkpatrick et al 2019 ).…”