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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Season‐driven climatic variables influence the temporal patterns of functional diversity and taxonomic dissimilarity of dung beetles in introduced Brazilian pasture ecosystem

Ecological Entomology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 49(4), P. 556 - 568

Published: March 31, 2024

Abstract Understanding the processes and mechanisms that underlie spatiotemporal patterns of biodiversity is paramount relevance, given ongoing global climate land cover changes. Here, we investigated influence season‐related climatic variables on two dimensions dung beetle diversity (taxonomic functional) at different scales (alpha beta) within an introduced Brazilian pasture ecosystem. We sampled beetles over 52 consecutive weeks, comprising dry rainy seasons. related taxonomic functional to (temperature, precipitation humidity) using absolute values changes from samplings (Δ, differences between samplings). found higher species richness abundance in season. Changes caused effects only dispersion, temporal β‐diversity losses but not beetles. However, these are dependent In season, increased a decrease dispersion opposite pattern was Similarly, temperature decreases both beetles, with Season‐associated showed contrasting metrics. Temporal may be driven by variables, which can associated sorting or traits their thermal niche.

Language: Английский

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Physiological traits explain the response of dung beetles to land use at local and regional scales

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: March 3, 2025

Physiological traits in insects are useful to understand their distribution at different spatial scales, presence and abundance, the use of habitats. This study explored physiological parameters dung beetles two contrasting ecoregions Argentina: Paranaense Forest Dry Chaco. We capture from both regions habitats with degrees disturbance within each region, performed lab experiments on metabolic rate thermal tolerance. revealed that inhabiting or higher temperatures (Dry Chaco open pastures) showed greater temperature tolerance compared those lower (Paranaense preserving tree canopy). Furthermore, Chaco, more species exploit disturbed habitats, indicating less sensitivity changes than Forest. is first compare beetle assemblages regional local scales. The findings highlight importance canopy land planning mitigate microclimatic changes, especially humid forests, support populations crucial ecosystem roles face climate change.

Language: Английский

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Dung removal by dung beetles in tropical livestock-dominated landscapes: Role of livestock grazing abandonment, local environment, and community attributes

Applied Soil Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 200, P. 105443 - 105443

Published: May 14, 2024

Language: Английский

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Forest conversion into pasture selects dung beetle traits at different biological scales depending on species pool composition

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

Published: April 1, 2023

The conversion of forests into open areas has large effects on the diversity and structure native communities. intensity these may vary between regions, depending existence species adapted to habitats in regional pool or time since habitat change.We assess differences richness functional dung beetle communities (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) novel pasturelands Atlantic Forest Cerrado, two biomes with contrasting histories human occupation Brazil. We conducted standardized surveys seven forest fragments adjacent pastures each region measured 14 traits individuals collected type at particular site. calculated richness, evenness, divergence, community-weighted mean for area, analyzed individual variation through nested variance decomposition Trait Statistics.Communities were richer more numerous Cerrado. did not find any consistent relationship beyond changes diversity. Although landscape recent colonization new by already lessens loss this biome. This indicates that change's trait depend rather than land conversion.Forest primarily due internal filtering. external filtering only appear intraspecific level, where related relocation behavior size are selected, Forest, selection operates flight. These results evidence importance considering address responses conversion.

Language: Английский

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Not all dung beetles feed on dung: Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) attracted to different carrion types in contrasting habitats at Brazilian Amazon

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 48(5), P. 952 - 968

Published: March 22, 2023

Abstract By understanding how assemblages segregate according to food types, it is possible depict and understand species distribution exploitation of similar resources. Although well known that dung beetles may feed on carrion, but the attractiveness different carrion types for these still poorly understood. In this study, we compared beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) diversity attracted two in habitats an Amazonian landscape. Dung were captured by using pitfall traps baited with decaying cattle beef liver native forest, peach palm plantation, teak plantation exotic pasture. Overall, 582 43 species, where Canthidium aff. lentum was classified as a specialist beef, Deltochilum sp. One considered 11 generalists 30 remaining not determine their preference due low number. Abundance, richness, affected type, higher number recorded beef‐baited liver‐baited traps. According functional groups, endocoprid more abundant while paracoprid telecoprid did show any type. This study suggests novel scenario intra‐resource segregation, vary preferences depending part dead corpse being exploited. The amount resource, maintenance stable populations trophic mediated chemical cues are some mechanisms explain segregation among types.

Language: Английский

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Intraspecific trait variation of carrion beetle species and communities across elevations

Insect Conservation and Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(6), P. 1113 - 1126

Published: Aug. 6, 2024

Abstract Filtering processes across environmental gradients can structure patterns of trait variation within communities. The community‐weighted mean (CWM) is a metric that commonly used to indicate the directionality such filtering and optimal adaptive strategy taxa community. Proximity CWM indicates higher fitness, deviations from this value result in changes relative abundances coexisting species. We investigated intraspecific four carrion beetle species (Coleoptera: Silphidae) elevational gradients. study was conducted temperate forest ecosystems with distinct natural vegetation zones ranging 950 m 1700 above sea level. Of 12 traits measured, we found ranged 34% (body length) 100% (ratio elytra length, head length width body accounted for larger proportion than interspecific 7 traits. For most traits, range, which niche breadth at given elevation, positively correlated abundance. CWMs associated long‐distance dispersal decreased whereas those microhabitat use showed opposite trend. Soil temperature influenced tibia after controlling effects identity, but soil water content had no effect on variation. Patterns thorax two supported CWM‐optimality hypothesis; however, another an Our identifies several be highly variable Such high levels may enable populations adapt wide range elevations types.

Language: Английский

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Dung beetle morphological traits show intraspecific differences among four land uses in the Cerrado biome

Journal of Insect Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 27(1), P. 97 - 106

Published: Jan. 7, 2023

Language: Английский

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Sarcosaprophagous Muscid Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Assemblages Along an Anthropized Gradient in the Humid Chaco Ecoregion, Chaco Province, Argentina

Journal of Medical Entomology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 60(2), P. 316 - 325

Published: Feb. 6, 2023

Abstract Deforestation, agriculture, farmyard animal husbandry, and urbanization are known to be the main causes of biodiversity loss habitat fragmentation. The present study evaluated role anthropization in modulating Muscidae (Diptera) assemblages Humid Chaco ecoregion Argentina, by testing biotic homogenization intermediate disturbance hypotheses. focused on natural, rural, urban habitats San Lorenzo Department, Province, where sarcosaprophagous muscid flies were surveyed. A total 1,343 captured identified 7 genera 24 species morphospecies. We observed effect structuring presence exotic associated with human activity resulting from homogenization. highest abundance was recorded habitat, while richness diversity (Shannon-Wienner Hill’s numbers) found rural supporting hypothesis. Several classified as indicators well according their index synanthropy. Our results provide valuable information about use muscids natural possible health risks related this family Calyptratae previously unsurveyed northeastern Argentina. This could used ecological, agronomy, sanitary, forensic fields.

Language: Английский

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