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Mora-Aguilar EF, Arriaga-Jiménez A, Correa CMA, da Silva PG, Korasaki V, López-Bedoya PA, Hernández MIM, Pablo-Cea JD, Salomão RP, Valencia G, Vulinec K, Edwards FA, Edwards DP, Halffter G, Noriega JA. Toward a standardized methodology for sampling dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) in the Neotropics: A critical review. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1096208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe standardization of sampling protocols is imperative for robustly studying any taxonomic group. Replicable methods allow the comparison of data between different spatial and temporal studies. In the case of dung beetles, one of the best-studied indicator groups in analyses of environmental disturbance, a wide range of collection methodologies are used, from basic pitfall traps to more complex or complementary methods such as mini-Winkler extractor. Also, different types of attractive baits, sampling effort, durations, and designs are used in dung beetle studies. Variations in methodological approaches are particularly noted in the Neotropics, which may be related to the vast number of biological strategies and behavior of dung beetles that inhabit this region. A lack of methodological unification for the Neotropical region makes a cross-sectional analysis of the information impossible.MethodsWe performed a compilation and analytical review of the existing literature for dung beetle sampling in the Neotropics, discussing the most used methodologies, their advantages and disadvantages, and specific cases in which particular models are more efficient.ResultsPitfall traps baited with human excrement are the most common sampling method, but there is a wide range of models and variations in the structure of this trap. The complementary effect generated by flight interception traps, light traps, and direct collections, particularly within microhabitats, is exciting for the potential of finding new species. Some methodologies, such as mini-Winkler extractor, fogging, or very specific baits, are infrequently used.DiscussionThere was a lack of inclusion of spatial and temporal variation among studies. Therefore, it is necessary to consider broader sampling windows, which include different spatial scales, seasons, and years. Finally, we propose a standard protocol for sampling dung beetles in the Neotropics, depending on each objective, and including a basic methodology for obtaining complete local inventories.
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Andresen E, Urrea-Galeano LA. Effects of dung beetle activity on tropical forest plants. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.979676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
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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Chiew LY, Hackett TD, Brodie JF, Teoh SW, Burslem DFRP, Reynolds G, Deere NJ, Vairappan CS, Slade EM. Tropical forest dung beetle-mammal dung interaction networks remain similar across an environmental disturbance gradient. J Anim Ecol 2021; 91:604-617. [PMID: 34954816 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Conservation outcomes could be greatly enhanced if strategies addressing anthropogenic land-use change considered the impacts of these changes on entire communities as well as on individual species. Examining how species interactions change across gradients of habitat disturbance allows us to predict the cascading consequences of species extinctions and the response of ecological networks to environmental change. We conducted the first detailed study of changes in a commensalist network of mammals and dung beetles across an environmental disturbance gradient, from primary tropical forest to plantations, which varied in above-ground carbon density (ACD) and mammal communities. Mammal diversity changed only slightly across the gradient, remaining high even in oil palm plantations and fragmented forest. Dung beetle species richness, however, declined in response to lower ACD and was particularly low in plantations and the most disturbed forest sites. Three of the five network metrics (nestedness, network specialization, and functionality) were significantly affected by changes in dung beetle species richness and ACD, but mammal diversity was not an important predictor of network structure. Overall, the interaction networks remained structurally and functionally similar across the gradient, only becoming simplified (i.e., with fewer dung beetle species and fewer interactions) in the most disturbed sites. We suggest that the high diversity of mammals, even in disturbed forests, combined with the generalist feeding patterns of dung beetles, confer resilience to the commensalist dung beetle-mammal networks. This study highlights the importance of protecting logged and fragmented forests to maintain interaction networks and potentially prevent extinction cascades in human-modified systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yuen Chiew
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, University Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.,South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP), Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Talya D Hackett
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Jedediah F Brodie
- Division of Biological Sciences and Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana Missoula, MT, 59802, USA
| | - Shu Woan Teoh
- Division of Biological Sciences and Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana Missoula, MT, 59802, USA
| | - David F R P Burslem
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK
| | - Glen Reynolds
- South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP), Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Nicolas J Deere
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Charles S Vairappan
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, University Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Eleanor M Slade
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK.,Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Dr, 637459, Singapore
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Ong XR, Hemprich‐Bennett D, Gray CL, Kemp V, Chung AYC, Slade EM. Trap type affects dung beetle taxonomic and functional diversity in Bornean tropical forests. AUSTRAL ECOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Rui Ong
- Asian School of the Environment Nanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Avenue Singapore 639798 Singapore
| | - David Hemprich‐Bennett
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford 11a Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3SZ UK
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
| | - Claudia L. Gray
- Conservation and Policy Zoological Society of London Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY UK
| | - Victoria Kemp
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
| | - Arthur Y. C. Chung
- Forest Research Centre Forestry Department P.O. Box 1407 Sandakan 90715 Malaysia
| | - Eleanor M. Slade
- Asian School of the Environment Nanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Avenue Singapore 639798 Singapore
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Roller dung beetles of dung piles suggest habitats are alike, but that of guarding pitfall traps suggest habitats are different. JOURNAL OF TROPICAL ECOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/s0266467421000225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractRoller dung beetles play a pivotal role in the nutrient distribution in soil and secondary dispersal of seeds. Dung beetles are sampled either using a dung-baited pitfall trap or an exposed dung pile on the ground. While the former method is useful for a rapid survey of dung beetles, information on the ecology and behaviour of dung beetles can be lost, which the latter method provides, but underestimates species diversity due to its inefficiency in trapping rollers. Efficiency of a new method for sampling rollers—installing guarding pitfall traps around dung piles—is assessed in three habitats—contiguous tropical rainforests, fragmented forests, and disturbed used home gardens—and two diel periods—day and night. Five guarding pitfall traps were installed at 50 cm radius around dung piles. About 98% of the total rollers were sampled in pitfall traps. The habitats were similar when the roller catches of only dung piles—conventional approach—were analyzed, but were different when the rollers of guarding pitfall traps were considered. The roller abundance was negatively affected by forest fragmentation and land-use change. About 98% of the rollers were collected at daytime. Using guarding pitfall traps around dung piles is highly recommended for dung beetle diversity studies.
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Rodríguez-López ME, Sánchez-Hernández G, Gómez B. Evaluación del estiércol de mamíferos nativos como potenciales atrayentes para el muestreo de escarabajos coprófagos (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae). NEOTROPICAL BIODIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2021.1943215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. Edivaldo Rodríguez-López
- Departamento de Conservación De La Biodiversidad, El Colegio De La Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), San Cristóbal De Las Casas, Chiapas, México
| | - Gibrán Sánchez-Hernández
- Departamento de Conservación De La Biodiversidad, El Colegio De La Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), San Cristóbal De Las Casas, Chiapas, México
| | - Benigno Gómez
- Departamento de Conservación De La Biodiversidad, El Colegio De La Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), San Cristóbal De Las Casas, Chiapas, México
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Urrea‐Galeano LA, Andresen E, Coates R, Mora F, del‐Val E, Nava Mendoza M. Dung beetle activity had no positive effect on nutrient concentration or performance of established rainforest seedlings. Biotropica 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Adonay Urrea‐Galeano
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Morelia México
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Ciudad de México México
| | - Ellen Andresen
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Morelia México
| | - Rosamond Coates
- Estación de Biología Tropical Los Tuxtlas Instituto de Biología Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México San Andrés Tuxtla México
| | - Francisco Mora
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Morelia México
| | - Ek del‐Val
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Morelia México
| | - Maribel Nava Mendoza
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Morelia México
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Dahlsjö CA, Eggleton P, Kitching R. Tropical terrestrial invertebrates—Where to from here? Biotropica 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia A.L. Dahlsjö
- Environmental Change Institute School of Geography and the Environment University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | | | - Roger Kitching
- Environmental Futures Research Institute Griffith University Nathan Qld Australia
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França FM, Ferreira J, Vaz‐de‐Mello FZ, Maia LF, Berenguer E, Ferraz Palmeira A, Fadini R, Louzada J, Braga R, Hugo Oliveira V, Barlow J. El Niño impacts on human‐modified tropical forests: Consequences for dung beetle diversity and associated ecological processes. Biotropica 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Filipe M. França
- Embrapa Amazônia Oriental Belém Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal do Pará Belém Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster UK
| | - Joice Ferreira
- Embrapa Amazônia Oriental Belém Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal do Pará Belém Brazil
| | | | - Laís F. Maia
- Bio‐Protection Research Centre School of Biological Sciences University of Canterbury Christchurch New Zealand
| | - Erika Berenguer
- Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster UK
- Environmental Change Institute University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | | | - Rodrigo Fadini
- Instituto de Biodiversidade e Florestas Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará Santarém Brazil
| | - Júlio Louzada
- Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal de Lavras Lavras Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Braga
- Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal de Lavras Lavras Brazil
- Unidade Divinópolis Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais Divinópolis Brazil
| | | | - Jos Barlow
- Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster UK
- Departamento de Biologia Universidade Federal de Lavras Lavras Brazil
- MCT/Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi Belém Brazil
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