Taxonomic Notes on <I>Onthophagus</I>
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Phylogenetic Relationships of Iberian Dung Beetles Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae): Insights on the Evolution of Nesting Behavior
J Mol Evol +2002) 55:116±126 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-002-2314-4 Phylogenetic Relationships of Iberian Dung Beetles Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae): Insights on the Evolution of Nesting Behavior Soraya Villalba,Jorge M. Lobo,Fermõ  n Martõ n-Piera,* Rafael Zardoya Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Jose Gutie rrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain Received: 22 October 2001 / Accepted: 25 January 2002 Abstract. A phylogeny of the main lineages of dung Introduction beetles +Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) from the Iberian Peninsula was based on partial nucleotide sequences The Scarabaeinae +dung beetles) are a worldwide- +about 1221 bp) of the mitochondrial cytochrome distributed, highly successful subfamily of Coleoptera oxidase I and II genes of 33 taxa. Our phylogenetic with nearly 5000 species grouped in 234 genera analyses con®rmed the validity and composition of +Hanski and Cambefort 1991). Ever since Linnaeus' most of the recognized tribes within the subfamily. Systema Naturae, dung beetles have received wide Interestingly, the Onitini showed an evolutionary rate attention from entomologists because of their singu- signi®cantly higher than that of the other tribes. The lar adaptations in exploiting vertebrate dung pads molecular phylogeny supports a sister-group rela- +e.g., Fabre 1897, 1899; Heymons and von Lengerken tionship of the tribes Onitini and Oniticellini + On- 1922; Burmeister 1930; Heymons 1930; Prasse 1957; thophagini. A close relationship of Scarabaeini, Rommel, 1961; Balthasar 1963; Halter and Matth- Gymnopleurini, and Sisyphini is also suggested but ews 1966; Halter and Edmonds 1982). Scarabaeids lacks bootstrap support. Surprisingly, the Coprini, are one of the best-studied groups of beetles in terms which had always been related to the Oniticellini and of taxonomy +Janssens 1949; Balthasar 1963; Iablo- Onthophagini, were placed closer to the Scarabaeini, kov-Khnzorian 1977; Zunino 1984; Browne and Gymnopleurini, and Sisyphini. -
Dung Beetle Assemblages Attracted to Cow and Horse Dung: the Importance of Mouthpart Traits, Body Size, and Nesting Behavior in the Community Assembly Process
life Article Dung Beetle Assemblages Attracted to Cow and Horse Dung: The Importance of Mouthpart Traits, Body Size, and Nesting Behavior in the Community Assembly Process Mattia Tonelli 1,2,* , Victoria C. Giménez Gómez 3, José R. Verdú 2, Fernando Casanoves 4 and Mario Zunino 5 1 Department of Pure and Applied Science (DiSPeA), University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, 61029 Urbino, Italy 2 I.U.I CIBIO (Centro Iberoamericano de la Biodiversidad), Universidad de Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690 Alicante, Spain; [email protected] 3 Instituto de Biología Subtropical, Universidad Nacional de Misiones–CONICET, 3370 Puerto Iguazú, Argentina; [email protected] 4 CATIE, Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza, 30501 Turrialba, Costa Rica; [email protected] 5 Asti Academic Centre for Advanced Studies, School of Biodiversity, 14100 Asti, Italy; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Dung beetles use excrement for feeding and reproductive purposes. Although they use a range of dung types, there have been several reports of dung beetles showing a preference for certain feces. However, exactly what determines dung preference in dung beetles remains controversial. In the present study, we investigated differences in dung beetle communities attracted to horse or cow dung from a functional diversity standpoint. Specifically, by examining 18 functional traits, Citation: Tonelli, M.; Giménez we sought to understand if the dung beetle assembly process is mediated by particular traits in Gómez, V.C.; Verdú, J.R.; Casanoves, different dung types. Species specific dung preferences were recorded for eight species, two of which F.; Zunino, M. Dung Beetle Assemblages Attracted to Cow and prefer horse dung and six of which prefer cow dung. -
A Novel Trap Design for Non-Lethal Monitoring of Dung Beetles Using
Journal of Insect Conservation (2021) 25:629–642 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-021-00329-4 ORIGINAL PAPER A novel trap design for non‑lethal monitoring of dung beetles using eDNA metabarcoding Leandro Camila1 · Dejean Tony2 · Valentini Alice2 · Jean Pauline2 · Jay‑Robert Pierre1 Received: 2 March 2020 / Accepted: 4 June 2021 / Published online: 21 June 2021 © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021 Abstract The current biodiversity crisis calls for rapid and wide-ranging surveys to assess living organisms. However, some taxa are more elusive than others, making monitoring challenging. This is the case for soil invertebrates, but new molecular technologies such as eDNA metabarcoding could help to alleviate this problem. In this study, we evaluated the feasibil- ity of using an eDNA approach to survey dung beetles, adapting existing monitoring methods for surveying dung fauna to enable eDNA collection in a non-destructive way. The main design idea is to capture species secretions and excretions from a serum-soaked nonwoven compress in a baited non-destructive trap. While the attractiveness of the device to dung beetles and the sampling protocol would beneft from further development, eDNA allowed the identifcation of more than 68% of trapped species and an identifcation of relative abundance match rate of 79%. The results of the study demonstrate the efectiveness of eDNA-based detection tools for the monitoring of dung beetles compared to standard surveying and identifcation techniques. Moreover, the adapted collecting device developed for the study could be used for similar surveys of other terrestrial invertebrates or even re-adapted. -
Scarabaeidae) in Finland (Coleoptera)
© Entomologica Fennica. 27 .VIII.1991 Abundance and distribution of coprophilous Histerini (Histeridae) and Onthophagus and Aphodius (Scarabaeidae) in Finland (Coleoptera) Olof Bistrom, Hans Silfverberg & Ilpo Rutanen Bistrom, 0., Silfverberg, H. & Rutanen, I. 1991: Abundance and distribution of coprophilous Histerini (Histeridae) and Onthophagus and Aphodius (Scarabaeidae) in Finland (Coleoptera).- Entomol. Fennica 2:53-66. The distribution and occmTence, with the time-factor taken into consideration, were monitored in Finland for the mainly dung-living histerid genera Margarinotus, Hister, and Atholus (all predators), and for the Scarabaeidae genera Onthophagus and Aphodius, in which almost all species are dung-feeders. All available records from Finland of the 54 species studied were gathered and distribution maps based on the UTM grid are provided for each species with brief comments on the occmTence of the species today. Within the Histeridae the following species showed a decline in their occurrence: Margarinotus pwpurascens, M. neglectus, Hister funestus, H. bissexstriatus and Atholus bimaculatus, and within the Scarabaeidae: Onthophagus nuchicornis, 0. gibbulus, O.fracticornis, 0 . similis , Aphodius subterraneus, A. sphacelatus and A. merdarius. The four Onthophagus species and A. sphacelatus disappeared in the 1950s and 1960s and are at present probably extinct in Finland. Changes in the agricultural ecosystems, caused by different kinds of changes in the traditional husbandry, are suggested as a reason for the decline in the occuJTence of certain vulnerable species. Olof Bistrom & Hans Si!fverberg, Finnish Museum of Natural Hist01y, Zoo logical Museum, Entomology Division, N. Jarnviigsg. 13 , SF-00100 Helsingfors, Finland llpo Rutanen, Water and Environment Research Institute, P.O. Box 250, SF- 00101 Helsinki, Finland 1. -
The Status and Distribution of the Scarab Beetles Rhysothorax Rufa and Onthophagus Nuchicornis on Welsh Dunes In
The status and distribution of the scarab beetles Rhysothorax rufa and Onthophagus nuchicornis on Welsh dunes in 2017 Ceri Watkins & Darren Mann NRW Evidence Report No. 263 D8 NRW Evidence Report No. 263 About Natural Resources Wales Natural Resources Wales is the organisation responsible for the work carried out by the three former organisations, the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales and Forestry Commission Wales. It is also responsible for some functions previously undertaken by Welsh Government. Our purpose is to ensure that the natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained, used and enhanced, now and in the future. We work for the communities of Wales to protect people and their homes as much as possible from environmental incidents like flooding and pollution. We provide opportunities for people to learn, use and benefit from Wales' natural resources. We work to support Wales' economy by enabling the sustainable use of natural resources to support jobs and enterprise. We help businesses and developers to understand and consider environmental limits when they make important decisions. We work to maintain and improve the quality of the environment for everyone and we work towards making the environment and our natural resources more resilient to climate change and other pressures. Evidence at Natural Resources Wales Natural Resources Wales is an evidence based organisation. We seek to ensure that our strategy, decisions, operations and advice to Welsh Government and others are underpinned by sound and quality-assured evidence. We recognise that it is critically important to have a good understanding of our changing environment. We will realise this vision by: • Maintaining and developing the technical specialist skills of our staff; • Securing our data and information; • Having a well resourced proactive programme of evidence work; • Continuing to review and add to our evidence to ensure it is fit for the challenges facing us; and • Communicating our evidence in an open and transparent way. -
ABSTRACT FOWLER, FALLON ELISE. How Dung
ABSTRACT FOWLER, FALLON ELISE. How Dung Beetles affect Dung-Generated Greenhouse Gases in Cattle Pastures: Experimental Studies and Literature Review. (Under the direction of Dr. David W. Watson). Humans are accelerating climate change through the overuse, replacement, and destruction of native ecosystems – the very entities that regulate the world’s greenhouse gases (GHGs). With such a burgeoning population it becomes more imperative to find ways that promote healthy habitats through biodiversity and sustainability. While this research is no substitute for more impactful strategies, such as resource conservation (i.e. flexitarian diets, fossil fuel reduction), ecosystem restoration (e.g. afforestation, desertification renovation), and green practices (e.g. solar energy, food waste reduction, elimination of single-use plastics); my goal is to address some of climate science’s concerns with animal agriculture. This research demonstrates how effective and robust dung beetle populations can influence the dung and soil microbes that regulate GHG pathways in cattle-based pastures. Chapter 1 discusses the various dung beetle collection methodologies and their purposes to better understand their guild-level advantages, limitations, and survival rates when using mass-scale flotation and self-sorting techniques for dung beetles. Chapter 2 discusses the various GHG chamber designs and extraction methods, and proposes a unique chamber design and methodology (the “mobile” GHG chamber) accompanied by step-by-step building instructions, required items and costs, advantage-disadvantage lists, and how-to guides on standard curve creation, vial blanking (purging), and standard operating procedure. Both Chapters 1 and 2 represent the underlying methodology and internal validation experiments that form the basis of Chapters 3, 4, and 5. -
British Dung Beetles Dung Is a Nutritious and Valuable Resource for Many Invertebrates
British Dung Beetles Dung is a nutritious and valuable resource for many invertebrates. There are approximately 60 Scarab beetles that feed on dung in Britain. They are found in many habitats and at all times of the year. The one thing they all need though, is a ready supply of good quality poo. Dung beetles are grouped according to Onthophagus coenobita how they use poo. The most well known 7-11 mm Tunnellers are the Rollers (Telecoprids). These make a dung ball and roll it away. Rollers are tropical species, there are none in Britain. Geotrupes spiniger We have Tunnellers (Paracoprids) and 16-26 mm Dwellers (Endocoprids). Tunnellers dig, burying the dung below ground, where they lay eggs and larvae develop. Dwellers generally spend their entire life in the poo, Liothorax plagiatus Dwellers 4-5 mm although the larvae of some species are found just under the soil surface. Violinus sticticus 4-6 mm There are many other ways dung beetles can avoid resource competition. These clever strategies include: Mites • Using poo from different animals • Feeding at separate times of the day • Living in areas with different soils Dung beetles help us by providing a range of • Being in sunny or shaded habitats ecosystem services. These include: • Using dung of a different age • Dung disposal • Fertilizing the soil by burying dung • Acting as a food source for birds, bats, badgers and some other mammals • Reducing dung breeding flies by transporting mites that eat fly eggs • Enhancing soil structure by digging through and turning over soils • Reduce greenhouse gases by removing poo • Improve ground drainage by digging tunnels British dung beetles are in decline and a few species are already thought to be extinct. -
The Role of Semi–Natural Grasslands and Livestock in Sustaining Dung Beetle Communities (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) in Sub–Mediterranean Areas of Slovenia
Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 41.2 (2018) 321 The role of semi–natural grasslands and livestock in sustaining dung beetle communities (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) in sub–Mediterranean areas of Slovenia J. Jugovic, N. Koprivnikar, T. Koren Jugovic, J., Koprivnikar, N., Koren, T., 2018. The role of semi–natural grasslands and livestock in sustaining dung beetle communities (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) in sub–Mediterranean areas of Slovenia. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 41.2: 321–332, Doi: https://doi.org/10.32800/abc.2018.41.0321 Abstract The role of semi–natural grasslands and livestock in sustaining dung beetle communities (Coleoptera, Scara- baeoidea) in sub–Mediterranean areas of Slovenia. We studied the richness and structure of the coprophagous Scarabaeoidea community in two pastures (Hrastovlje and Zazid) in sub–Mediterranean Slovenia. In each pasture, we examined three habitat patches characterised by different levels of grazing (S1, the active part of the pasture; S2, the overgrown part of the pasture, mainly spiny shrubs; S3, a meadow with some overgrown patches of shrubs outside the fenced pasture). The main results were as follows: (1) 29 species were sampled, corresponding to about three quarters of the species presumably present at the two study sites; (2) species richness and abundance in Zazid are were similar in all three patches; (3) the species richness and abundance in Hrastovlje (in total, and separately for dwellers and tunnelers) were highest in S2. In Hrastovlje, dwellers were most abundant in S1. As the two different habitat patches were shown to positively influence the dung beetle community, we recommend maintaining a traditionally–managed mosaic landscape. -
Revised Classification and Phylogeny of an Afrotropical Species Group Based on Molecular and Morphological Data, with the Descri
Org Divers Evol DOI 10.1007/s13127-016-0297-z ORIGINAL ARTICLE Revised classification and phylogeny of an Afrotropical species group based on molecular and morphological data, with the description of a new genus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Onthophagini) Angela Roggero1 & Enrico Barbero1 & Claudia Palestrini1 Received: 27 January 2016 /Accepted: 22 July 2016 # Gesellschaft für Biologische Systematik 2016 Abstract The worldwide distributed Onthophagus genus include the three genera into a single clade of suprageneric comprises at present more than 2000 species, that often show rank naming it as Phalops complex. a complicated and uncertain systematic history. In particular, the many Afrotropical species included in this genus have Keywords Onthophagus . New genus . Phalops complex . never been entirely reviewed after the division into 32 species Molecular analysis . Morphological analysis . Phylogeny . groups proposed by d’Orbigny in 1913, although subsequent Geometric morphometrics researches focusing on some of these species suggested that Onthophagus constituted a nonmonophyletic taxon. In order to highlight their phylogenetic relationships, the various Afrotropical species groups of d’Orbigny must thus be exam- Introduction ined, and it would be advisable to study them separately to avoid misunderstanding. In this framework, the taxonomic The widespread genus Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 com- position of the three species currently included in the 21st prises more than 2000 species and is thus one of the largest d’Orbigny group was examined. Both morphological and bio- genera in the world (Emlen et al. 2005). It was hypothesized molecular analyses contributed in confirming that these spe- that these dung beetles originated in Africa during the cies (i.e., Onthophagus caffrarius d’Orbigny, 1902; Oligocene (23–33 mya) concurrently with the expansion of Onthophagus quadraticeps Harold, 1867; and Onthophagus grassland habitats and the radiation of mammals (Ahrens et al. -
The Role of Digitonthophagus Gazella in Pasture Cleaning and Production As a Result of Burial of Cattle Dung
Pasturas Tropicales, Vol. 22, No. 1 Artículo Científico _________________________________________ The role of Digitonthophagus gazella in pasture cleaning and production as a result of burial of cattle dung C. H. Behling Miranda*, J. C. dos Santos**, and I. Bianchin** Introduction Digitonthophagus gazella has an exceptional capacity both to disperse and colonize, being highly adaptable Probably between 85% and 95% of the total nitrogen and with a high rate of reproduction (Oca and Halffter, (N) ingested by bovines return to the soil via dung and 1995). Also, its exclusively coprophagous diet, with a urine (Haynes and Williams, 1993). Most of this N may marked preference for cattle dung, makes it appropriate be lost from the soil-plant system by urea volatilization for release in pasture areas. in a few days (Ferreira et al., 1995a; 1995b), unless it is incorporated into the soil organic or inorganic pool. The burial of dung has also other agronomic implications, positive for plant growth and pasture In this sense, coprophagous dung beetles play an health. It is known that an area up to 12 times larger important role, due to their capacity of incorporating than the dung patch itself is not restrained from grazed fresh faeces to the soil. Usually, dung beetles dig a for months or even as long as up to a year, first because hole underneath the faeces patch carrying portions of of its strong odour, then because of plant lignification dung to as deep as 30 cm and making dung balls in (Haynes and Williams, 1993). Such areas may which eggs are deposited. -
Key to the British Genera of Family Scarabaeidae
Key to the British genera of family Scarabaeidae Source Material This key is a composite from various sources including: Krell & Fery (1992) Die Käfer Mitteleuropas, Vol. 13, Supplement 2: 200-243). Joy (1932) A Practical Handbook of British Beetles Schmidt (1922) Coleoptera. Aphodiinae. Das Tierreich. 45 Arved Lompe’s online keys at http://www.coleo-net.de/coleo/texte/scarabaeidae.htm Have I got a beetle from family Scarabaeidae? Look for the following combination of features. Terminology Image Credits Unless otherwise attributed, the illustrations in this key are reproduced from the Iconographia Coleopterorum Poloniae, with permission kindly granted by Lech Borowiec. Creative Commons. © Mike Hackston (2016) Checklist from the Checklist of Beetles of the British Isles, 2012 edition, edited by A. G. Duff, (available from www.coleopterist.org.uk/checklist.htm). Subfamily AEGIALIINAE Subfamily MELOLONTHINAE Aegialia Latreille, 1807 Hoplia Illiger, 1803 arenaria (Fabricius, 1787) philanthus (Füessly, 1775) insularis Pittino, 2006 Melolontha Fabricius, 1775 rufa (Fabricius, 1792) hippocastani Fabricius, 1801 Subfamily APHODIINAE melolontha (Linnaeus, 1758) Aphodius Illiger, 1798 Polyphylla Harris, 1842 Euheptaulacus Dellacasa, G., 1983 fullo (Linnaeus, 1758) sus (Herbst, 1783) Amphimallon Latreille, 1825 villosus (Gyllenhal, 1806) ochraceum (Knoch, 1801) Heptaulacus Mulsant, 1842 solstitiale (Linnaeus, 1758) testudinarius (Fabricius, 1775) Omaloplia Schönherr, 1817 Oxyomus Dejean, 1833 ruricola (Fabricius, 1775) sylvestris (Scopoli, 1763) -
Alternative Reproductive Tactics and Male-Dimorphism in the Horned Beetle Onthophagus Acuminatus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Behav Ecol Sociobiol (1997) 41: 335±341 Ó Springer-Verlag 1997 Douglas J. Emlen Alternative reproductive tactics and male-dimorphism in the horned beetle Onthophagus acuminatus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Received: 12 October 1996 / Accepted after revision: 8 August 1997 Abstract Adult dung beetles (Onthophagus acuminatus) Key words Alternative reproductive behavior á exhibit continuous variation in body size resulting from Male dimorphism á Male competition á dierential nutritional conditions experienced during Horned beetles á Onthophagus larval development. Males of this species have a pair of horns that protrude from the base of the head, and the lengths of these horns are bimodally distributed in nat- Introduction ural populations. Males growing larger than a threshold body size develop long horns, and males that do not Males in many animal species show variation in mor- achieve this size grow only rudimentary horns or no phology which is associated with dierences in behavior horns at all. Previous studies of other horned beetle (e.g., Austad 1984; Dominey 1984; Travis 1994). For species have shown that horned and hornless males often example, large and small males frequently utilize strik- have dierent types of reproductive behavior. Here I ingly dierent behaviors to encounter and mate with describe the mating behaviors of the two male morphs of females (Dominey 1980; Rubenstein 1980, 1987; How- O. acuminatus during encounters with females. Females ard 1984; Gross 1985; Kodric-Brown 1986; Arak 1988; excavate tunnels beneath dung, where they feed, mate Reynolds et al. 1993). Occasionally, variation in male and provision eggs. Large, horned males were found to morphology is dimorphic, and two or more distinct male guard entrances to tunnels containing females.