A trait‐based framework for dung beetle functional ecology

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 92(1), P. 44 - 65

Published: Nov. 28, 2022

Traits are key for understanding the environmental responses and ecological roles of organisms. Trait approaches to functional ecology well established plants, whereas consistent frameworks animal groups less developed. Here we suggest a framework study animals from trait-based response-effect approach, using dung beetles as model system. Dung group decomposers that important many ecosystem processes. The lack tailored this has limited use traits in beetle ecology. We review which respond environment affect processes, covering wide range spatial, temporal biological scales at they involved. show variation temperature, water, soil properties, trophic resources, light, vegetation structure, competition, predation parasitism. beetles' influence on processes includes trait-mediated effects nutrient cycling, bioturbation, plant growth, seed dispersal, other dung-based organisms parasite transmission, some cases pollination predation. identify 66 either response or effect traits, both, pertaining six main categories: morphology, feeding, reproduction, physiology, activity movement. Several pertain more than one category, particular relocation behaviour during nesting feeding. also 136 trait-response 77 trait-effect relationships beetles. No stressors nor over were related with single category. This highlights interrelationship between shaping body-plans, multi-functionality their role linking ecosystem. Despite current developments ecology, knowledge gaps remain, there biases towards certain functions, taxonomic regions. Our provides foundations thorough development It serves an example taxa.

Language: Английский

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Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in grazing lands of the Neotropics: A review of patterns and research trends of taxonomic and functional diversity, and functions

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: April 26, 2023

Dung beetles are one of the most representative groups insects associated with livestock, as they take advantage manure livestock for food and reproduction. They have been widely used a bio-indicator group to evaluate their responses land-use change other environmental disturbances by analyzing species diversity at different spatial temporal scales. However, impacts management practices, forms, history on dung beetle still poorly understood. This paper is an exhaustive systematic review existing peer-reviewed indexed literature taxonomic (species richness composition), functional diversity, ecological functions from provinces biogeographic domains in tropical grazing lands Neotropics. We analyzed timeline studies conducted so far, we detected increasing produced mainly South America. included frequent objectives, tendencies, software, statistical analyses. Given significant heterogeneity landscapes Neotropics, reviewed conceptualized broadly what pasture is, authors descriptions lands. Additionally, data practices vary among studies, described. In future research, it relevant include much information possible consequences additional attributes assemblages landscape scales (spatial temporal) predict how processes Neotropical landscapes. Considering importance be work, propose collection format unify collected field when conducting Moreover, define classification system homogenize features that distinguish multiple reported literature. Preserving urgent maintaining ecosystem services The challenge research institutions continue filling gaps knowledge help those who work transferring knowledge, ranchers exercise better options more sustainable farming, publish results conservation decision-making.

Language: Английский

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Dung removal increases under higher dung beetle functional diversity regardless of grazing intensification

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Dec. 6, 2023

Abstract Dung removal by macrofauna such as dung beetles is an important process for nutrient cycling in pasturelands. Intensification of farming practices generally reduces species and functional diversity terrestrial invertebrates, which may negatively affect ecosystem services. Here, we investigate the effects cattle-grazing intensification on field experiments replicated 38 pastures around world. Within each study site, measured managed with low- high-intensity regimes to assess between-regime differences beetle removal, whilst also considering climate regional variations. The impacts were heterogeneous, either diminishing or increasing richness, diversity, rates. more variable across sites than within sites. increased richness sites, while consistently enhanced independently cattle grazing intensity climate. Our findings indicate that, despite intensified stocking rates, services related decomposition can be maintained when a functionally diverse community inhabits human-modified landscape.

Language: Английский

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Bringing light onto the Raunkiæran shortfall: A comprehensive review of traits used in functional animal ecology

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(4)

Published: April 1, 2023

Trait-based approaches elucidate the mechanisms underlying biodiversity response to, or effects on, environment. Nevertheless, Raunkiæran shortfall-the dearth of knowledge on species traits and their functionality-presents a challenge in application these approaches. We conducted systematic review to investigate trends gaps trait-based animal ecology terms taxonomic resolution, trait selection, ecosystem type, geographical region. In addition, we suggest set crucial steps guide selection aid future research conduct within cross-taxon comparisons. identified 1655 articles using virtually all groups published from 1999 2020. Studies were concentrated vertebrates, terrestrial habitats, Palearctic realm, mostly investigated trophic habitat dimensions. Additionally, they focused (79.4%) largely ignored intraspecific variation (94.6%). Almost 36% data sets did not provide rationale behind morphological traits. The main limitations use averages rare inclusion variability. Nearly one-fifth studies based only conclude that diversity impacts processes services without justifying connection between them measuring them. propose for standardizing collection includes following: (i) determining type mechanism linking environment, ecosystem, correlation trait, (ii) "periodic table niches" select appropriate niche dimension support mechanistic (iii) selecting relevant each retained dimension. By addressing gaps, can become more predictive. This implies will likely focus collaborating understand how environmental changes impact animals capacity goods.

Language: Английский

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Spatial and temporal trends in dung beetle research

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13, P. e18907 - e18907

Published: Feb. 21, 2025

Dung beetles are one of the most charismatic animal taxa. Their familiarity as ecosystem service providers is clear, but they also play a range roles in variety different ecosystems worldwide. Here, we give an overview current state dung beetle research and changes prevalence topics collated corpus 4,145 peer-reviewed articles research, spanning from 1930 until 2024. We used text-analysis tools, including topic modelling, to assess how literature on has changed over this period. Most split into three distinct, related discourses–the agri/biological topics, ecological taxonomic topics. Publications ‘effect veterinary chemicals’ ‘nesting behaviour’ showed largest drop time, whereas relating ‘ecosystem function’ had meteoric rise low presence before 2000’s being prevelant last two decades. Research global, dominated by Europe North America. However, South America, Africa, Australia ranges wider temperate tropical mixed forests, well grasslands, savanna shrublands , would be expected group species directly associated with large mammals. Our assessment comes when provision becoming more important dominant globally. This review therefore should direct interest researchers, researchers working agricultural, ecological, arenas worldwide across agri/biological, discourses imperative for continued understanding their services modified rapidly changing natural agricultural landscapes.

Language: Английский

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Conceptual and methodological issues in insect ecomorphology

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 11 - 55

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Endozoochory by the cooperation between beetles and ants in the holoparasitic plant Cynomorium songaricum in the deserts of Northwest China

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0319087 - e0319087

Published: March 11, 2025

Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. first described by Carl Johann (Ivanovič) Ruprecht in 1840 is a desert parasitic plant that mainly parasitizes the roots of Nitraria L. (especially tangutorum Bobrov., sibirica Pall.). During seed maturation, C. releases distinct smell, and its seeds are round dust-like. Previous studies indicated most plants produce small seeds, which primarily dispersed wind. Recent reveal significant role animals dispersal plants. In this study, we combined (1) direct observation , (2) indoor breeding beetles ants to assess viability clarify system, explore mechanisms attract agents. By population identified ( Mantichorula semenowi Reitter, 1888) Messor desertora He & Song, 2009) as primary agents for . These rely on visits from these transfer their near host plant, L.. The release volatile compound attracts M. consume and/or transport seeds. This study provides evidence multi-medium inter-species system elucidates invertebrates We propose two play roles sequential representing key stages overall mechanism.

Language: Английский

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Effects of climate change on the distribution of dung beetle species in South American pasturelands

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 201 - 208

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Postfire Scenarios Shape Dung Beetle Communities in the Orinoquía Riparian Forest–Savannah Transition

Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(4), P. 423 - 423

Published: April 15, 2025

The Orinoquía region of Colombia includes diverse ecosystems such as riparian forests and seasonal savannas, which play vital roles biodiversity reservoirs. However, increased fire activity, driven by both natural anthropogenic pressures, poses mounting threats to these ecosystems. Despite their importance, the effects on faunal communities, especially in transitional habitats, are not well understood. Understanding responses across different recovery stages is essential for conservation planning. This study aimed assess occurrence time dung beetle communities an indicator ecosystem resilience. We analyzed taxonomic responses—including species richness, abundance, Hill diversity indices (D0, D1, D2)—as functional traits guild biomass, food relocation behavior, forest–savanna ecotones under varying histories. Our results indicate that recent fires (≤1 year) high frequencies (4–5 events) negatively affect abundance. Dominance a few disturbance-tolerant species, Digitonthophagus gazella, was observed burned while forest habitats supported rare dominant taxa. declines, redundancy maintained, largely due prevalence small-bodied species. we general resilience effect core contributed postfire community reassembly. Functional with small beetles dominating biomass composition. status particularly ecotone, played critical role restructuring. presence resilient assemblages highlights importance sustaining key functions following events. These findings underscore potential bioindicators monitoring emphasize need improved management strategies sensitive

Language: Английский

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When forest loss leads to biodiversity gain: Insights from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 279, P. 109957 - 109957

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

Language: Английский

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