Seed dispersal by dung beetles in Ceratocaryum pulchrum (Restionaceae): Another example of faecal mimicry in plants

Midgley, Jeremy J.; White, Joseph D.; Scholtz, Clarke H.; Johnson, Steven D.

doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2020.11.004

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Such 'secondary seed dispersal by mistake' had also previously been reported in African savannas (Kunz and Krell, 2011). But the 'ultimate deception' occurs in at least two plant species of the South African fynbos, which have dung-smelling seeds that emit volatiles found in herbivore feces (Midgley et al, 2015(Midgley et al, , 2021. These seeds, without having been defecated by any frugivore, attract dung beetles that roll and bury them, to later abandon them when the deception is discovered.…”

Section: Topic Neotropical Paleotropical Extratropical (A) Ssd: Predi...mentioning

confidence: 66%

Effects of dung beetle activity on tropical forest plants

Urrea‐Galeano¹

2022

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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Dung beetles are recognized as providers of important ecosystem functions, most of which are derived from the removal of vertebrate dung from the soil surface. These insects occur in nearly all terrestrial biomes but are most diverse in the humid tropics. Several of the ecological functions attributed to dung beetles are related to their direct and indirect interactions with plants. Among these functions, the secondary dispersal of seeds defecated by mammals has received the most attention in tropical forests. Nonetheless, while several aspects of secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles are relatively well understood, others remain understudied or have not been addressed at all. Thus, a broad generalization about the effects of secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles on plant fitness remains somewhat elusive. Furthermore, other effects of dung beetle activity on tropical plants have received very little attention. A few studies have shown that through their behaviors of dung burial and soil-excavation, dung beetles can shape seed bank structure and dynamics. Also, though numerous greenhouse studies and field experiments in agricultural lands and temperate grasslands have shown that dung beetle activity increases plant nutrient uptake and yield, it is uncertain whether such effects are common in tropical forests. Here, we review and synthesize our current knowledge on how dung beetles affect tropical forest plants by dispersing defecated seeds, shaping the structure and dynamics of seed banks, and influencing the performance of understory seedlings. We focus on the Neotropics, where most studies on the effects of dung beetles on tropical forest plants have been carried out, but we also show results from other regions and biomes, to present a more general picture of these beetle-plant interactions. Throughout the review we emphasize aspects that need more research to allow generalizations and point out those questions that remain unanswered. We hope that this review will stimulate more research about the fascinating interactions between dung beetles and plants in tropical ecosystems.

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Section: Topic Neotropical Paleotropical Extratropical (A) Ssd: Predi...mentioning

confidence: 66%

Effects of dung beetle activity on tropical forest plants

Urrea‐Galeano¹

2022

Front. Ecol. Evol.

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“…Dung beetles play an important role in secondary seed dispersal all over the world (Vulinec 2002;Koike et al 2012;Midgley et al 2015;Midgley et al 2021;Pedersen 2022). Our observations suggest that C. lancifer may not only contribute to seed dispersal indirectly through dung removal but may be involved in the process of directly dispersing seeds that are not eaten and dispersed by other animals and, consequently, are not found in their scats.…”

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confidence: 82%

First record of the largest copro-necrophagous beetle in South America (Coprophanaeus lancifer) feeding on fruits

2023

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Coprophanaeus lancifer is a copro-necrophagous beetle endemic to the Amazon region. Although beetles belonging to the subfamily Scarabaeinae primarily feed on dung, some have a greater diet plasticity that includes carrion, fungi, rotten fruits and invertebrates. The diet of the scavenger beetle C. lancifer mainly consists of vertebrate carcasses, although it is also attracted to mammal faeces. Here, we describe the first record of this species feeding on fruits of the genus Nectandra.

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“…Despite the vast literature on dung beetles, which are a key component of tropical forest detrital webs, there are no studies on Hg bioaccumulation in coprophagous or necrophagous beetles of the family Scarabaeidae. These insects are key for the removal of excrement and bioturbation and are one of the most important groups for secondary (and less often primary) seed dispersal (Vulinec, 2002; Koike et al, 2012; Midgley et al, 2015; Midgley et al, 2021; Pedersen, 2022). They are also a food source for many other organisms, both invertebrates and vertebrates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These insects are key for the removal of excrement and bioturbation and are one of the most important groups for secondary (and less often primary) seed dispersal (Vulinec, 2002;Koike et al, 2012;Midgley et al, 2015;Midgley et al, 2021;Pedersen, 2022). They are also a food source for many other organisms, both invertebrates and vertebrates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%