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Saranholi BH, França FM, Vogler AP, Barlow J, Vaz de Mello FZ, Maldaner ME, Carvalho E, Gestich CC, Howes B, Banks-Leite C, Galetti PM. Testing and optimizing metabarcoding of iDNA from dung beetles to sample mammals in the hyperdiverse Neotropics. Mol Ecol Resour 2024; 24:e13961. [PMID: 38646932 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Over the past few years, insects have been used as samplers of vertebrate diversity by assessing the ingested-derived DNA (iDNA), and dung beetles have been shown to be a good mammal sampler given their broad feeding preference, wide distribution and easy sampling. Here, we tested and optimized the use of iDNA from dung beetles to assess the mammal community by evaluating if some biological and methodological aspects affect the use of dung beetles as mammal species samplers. We collected 403 dung beetles from 60 pitfall traps. iDNA from each dung beetle was sequenced by metabarcoding using two mini-barcodes (12SrRNA and 16SrRNA). We assessed whether dung beetles with different traits related to feeding, nesting and body size differed in the number of mammal species found in their iDNA. We also tested differences among four killing solutions in preserving the iDNA and compared the effectiveness of each mini barcode to recover mammals. We identified a total of 50 mammal OTUs (operational taxonomic unit), including terrestrial and arboreal species from 10 different orders. We found that at least one mammal-matching sequence was obtained from 70% of the dung beetle specimens. The number of mammal OTUs obtained did not vary with dung beetle traits as well as between the killing solutions. The 16SrRNA mini-barcode recovered a higher number of mammal OTUs than 12SrRNA, although both sets were partly non-overlapping. Thus, the complete mammal diversity may not be achieved by using only one of them. This study refines the methodology for routine assessment of tropical mammal communities via dung beetle 'samplers' and its universal applicability independently of the species traits of local beetle communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno H Saranholi
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot, UK
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Filipe M França
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
| | - Alfried P Vogler
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Jos Barlow
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Fernando Z Vaz de Mello
- Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Instituto de Biociências, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | - Maria E Maldaner
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade (PPGECB), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Cuiabá, Brazil
| | - Edrielly Carvalho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Entomologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, INPA, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Carla C Gestich
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Benjamin Howes
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot, UK
| | | | - Pedro M Galetti
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
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Pedersen KM, von Beeren C, Oggioni A, Blüthgen N. Mammal dung-dung beetle trophic networks: an improved method based on gut-content DNA. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16627. [PMID: 38500531 PMCID: PMC10946388 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Dung beetles provide many important ecosystem services, including dung decomposition, pathogen control, soil aeration, and secondary seed dispersal. Yet, the biology of most dung beetles remains unknown. Natural diets are poorly studied, partly because previous research has focused on choice or attraction experiments using few, easily accessible dung types from zoo animals, farm animals, or humans. This way, many links within natural food webs have certainly been missed. In this work, we aimed to establish a protocol to analyze the natural diets of dung beetles using DNA gut barcoding. Methods First, the feasibility of gut-content DNA extraction and amplification of 12s rDNA from six different mammal dung types was tested in the laboratory. We then applied the method to beetles caught in pitfall traps in Ecuador and Germany by using 12s rDNA primers. For a subset of the dung beetles caught in the Ecuador sampling, we also used 16s rDNA primers to see if these would improve the number of species we could identify. We predicted the likelihood of amplifying DNA using gut fullness, DNA concentration, PCR primer, collection method, and beetle species as predictor variables in a dominance analysis. Based on the gut barcodes, we generated a dung beetle-mammal network for both field sites (Ecuador and Germany) and analyzed the levels of network specificity. Results We successfully amplified mammal DNA from dung beetle gut contents for 128 specimens, which included such prominent species as Panthera onca (jaguar) and Puma concolor (puma). The overall success rate of DNA amplification was 53%. The best predictors for amplification success were gut fullness and DNA concentration, suggesting the success rate can be increased by focusing on beetles with a full gut. The mammal dung-dung beetle networks differed from purely random network models and showed a moderate degree of network specialization (H2': Ecuador = 0.49; Germany = 0.41). Conclusion We here present a reliable method of extracting and amplifying gut-content DNA from dung beetles. Identifying mammal dung via DNA reference libraries, we created mammal dung-dung beetle trophic networks. This has benefits over previous methods because we inventoried the natural mammal dung resources of dung beetles instead of using artificial mammal baits. Our results revealed higher levels of specialization than expected and more rodent DNA than expected in Germany, suggesting that the presented method provides more detailed insights into mammal dung-dung beetle networks. In addition, the method could have applications for mammal monitoring in many ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M. Pedersen
- Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany
| | | | - Arianna Oggioni
- Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Biology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany
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Bach A, Mateus LAF, Peres CA, Haugaasen T, Louzada J, Hawes JE, Azevedo RA, Lucena EF, Ferreira JVA, Vaz‐de‐Mello FZ. Bait attractiveness changes community metrics in dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae). Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9975. [PMID: 37038515 PMCID: PMC10082174 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Species relative abundance (SRA) is an essential attribute of biotic communities, which can provide an accurate description of community structure. However, the sampling method used may have a direct influence on SRA quantification, since the use of attractants (e.g., baits, light, and pheromones) can introduce additional sources of variation in trap performance. We tested how sampling aided by baits affect community data and therefore alter derived metrics. We tested our hypothesis on dung beetles using data from flight interception traps (FITs) as a baseline to evaluate baited pitfall trap performance. Our objective was to assess the effect of bait attractiveness on estimates of SRA and assemblage metrics when sampled by pitfall traps baited with human feces.Dung beetles were sampled at three terra firme primary forest sites in the Brazilian Amazon. To achieve our objective, we (i) identified species with variable levels of attraction to pitfall baited with human feces; (ii) assessed differences in SRA; and (iii) assessed the effect of bait on the most commonly used diversity metrics derived from relative abundance (Shannon and Simpson indices). We identified species less and highly attracted to the baits used, because most attracted species showed greater relative abundances within baited pitfall traps samples compared with our baseline. Assemblages sampled by baited pitfall traps tend to show lower diversity and higher dominance than those sampled by unbaited FITs. Our findings suggest that for ecological questions focused on species relative abundance, baited pitfall traps may lead to inaccurate conclusions regarding assemblage structure. Although tested on dung beetles, we suggest that the same effect could be observed for other insect taxa that are also sampled with baited traps. We highlight a need for further studies on other groups to elucidate any potential effects of using baits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andressa Bach
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia, Instituto de BiociênciasUniversidade Federal de Mato GrossoAvenida Fernando Corrêa da Costa, n° 2367, Boa Esperança78060900CuiabáBrazil
| | - Lúcia A. F. Mateus
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Laboratório de Ecologia e Manejo de Recursos Pesqueiros, Departamento de Botânica e Ecologia, Instituto de BiociênciasUniversidade Federal de Mato GrossoAvenida Fernando Corrêa da Costa, n° 2367, Boa Esperança78060900CuiabáBrazil
| | - Carlos A. Peres
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichNR4 7TJUK
| | - Torbjørn Haugaasen
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesUniversitetstunet 31430ÅsNorway
| | - Julio Louzada
- Departamento de Ecologia e ConservaçãoUniversidade Federal de Lavras37203202LavrasBrazil
| | - Joseph E. Hawes
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesUniversitetstunet 31430ÅsNorway
| | - Renato A. Azevedo
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade‐COBIO, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPAAv. André Araújo, 2936, Petrópolis69083‐000ManausBrazil
| | - Emanuelly F. Lucena
- Laboratório de Termitologia, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da NaturezaUniversidade Federal da ParaíbaCampus I Lot. Cidade Universitária58051‐900João PessoaBrazil
| | - José Victor A. Ferreira
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da BiodiversidadeUniversidade Estadual de Santa CruzRodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, 45662900, SalobrinhoIlhéusBrazil
| | - Fernando Z. Vaz‐de‐Mello
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia, Instituto de BiociênciasUniversidade Federal de Mato GrossoAvenida Fernando Corrêa da Costa, n° 2367, Boa Esperança78060900CuiabáBrazil
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Carvalho EC, Maldaner ME, Costa-Silva V, Sehn H, Franquini C, Campos VO, Seba VP, Maia LF, Vaz-de-Mello FZ, França FM. Dung beetles from two sustainable-use protected forests in the Brazilian Amazon. Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e96101. [PMID: 38327344 PMCID: PMC10848333 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e96101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Amazon Forest is one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems and yet its protected areas are understudied concerning insects and other invertebrates. These organisms are essential for tropical forests due to their ecological processes, with some species being very sensitive to habitat disturbances. Dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) have been used as bioindicators for more than 30 years and were surveyed to assess the insect biodiversity of two sustainable-use forest reserves in the Brazilian Amazon. New information We report inventories of dung beetles from two Amazonian forest reserves in Pará State, Brazil: the Tapajós National Forest and the Carajás National Forest. Surveys were carried out with baited-pitfall traps installed in 2010, 2016, 2017 and 2019. We collected a total of 3,772 individuals from 19 genera and 96 species. We highlight the importance of Amazonian protected areas as refugia for insect biodiversity, particularly dung beetles, which contribute to many key ecosystem processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edrielly C. Carvalho
- Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMT, Cuiabá, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMTCuiabáBrazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPA, Manaus, BrazilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPAManausBrazil
| | - Maria Eduarda Maldaner
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade (PPGECB), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiaba, BrazilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade (PPGECB), Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMTCuiabaBrazil
| | - Vinicius Costa-Silva
- Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMT, Cuiabá, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMTCuiabáBrazil
- Laboratory of Integrative Entomology, Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, BrazilLaboratory of Integrative Entomology, Department of Animal Biology, Institute of Biology, University of CampinasCampinasBrazil
| | - Heivanice Sehn
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia. Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, BrazilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia. Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMTCuiabáBrazil
| | - Carol Franquini
- Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMT, Cuiabá, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMTCuiabáBrazil
| | - Vinicius O. Campos
- Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMT, Cuiabá, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMTCuiabáBrazil
| | - Vinicius P. Seba
- Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMT, Cuiabá, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMTCuiabáBrazil
| | - Laís F. Maia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Queens Road, BS8 1QU, UK, Bristol, United KingdomSchool of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Queens Road, BS8 1QU, UKBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Fernando Z. Vaz-de-Mello
- Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMT, Cuiabá, BrazilDepartamento de Biologia e Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Laboratório de Scarabaeoidologia. Instituto de Biociências - UFMTCuiabáBrazil
| | - Filipe Machado França
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Queens Road, BS8 1QU, UK, Bristol, United KingdomSchool of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Queens Road, BS8 1QU, UKBristolUnited Kingdom
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia (PPGECO), Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil, Belém, BrazilPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia (PPGECO), Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, 66075-110, BrazilBelémBrazil
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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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Gigliotti MS, Togni PHB, Frizzas MR. Attractiveness of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) to faeces from native mammals in different trophic guilds. AUSTRAL ECOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Soares Gigliotti
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade de Brasília (UnB) Brasília Federal District Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Brum Togni
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade de Brasília (UnB) Brasília Federal District Brazil
| | - Marina Regina Frizzas
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade de Brasília (UnB) Brasília Federal District Brazil
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7
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Rivera JD, Favila ME. Good news! Sampling intensity needed for accurate assessments of dung beetle diversity may be lower in the Neotropics. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.999488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological studies with Scarabaeinae dung beetles have increased exponentially over the past 30 years, using lethal pitfall traps baited with mammal feces or carrion as the preferred sampling method. Different studies have determined the distance between pitfall traps for effective sampling, but the number of traps is often subjective, leading to excessive or poor sampling. This study provides quantitative guidelines for establishing the sample size for optimal completeness of dung beetle diversity by systematically reviewing the relationship between sampling intensity and sampling coverage, habitat type, and the journal impact factor in peer-reviewed research. We gathered 94 studies covering a range from México to Argentina. Sampling was conducted mainly in forested habitats, followed by treeless agriculture and agroforestry systems, with a median value of 50 pitfall traps per sampled habitat. Sampling completeness was above 0.9 in 95% of the studies. Oversampling ranged from 1 to more than 96,000 individuals, and sampling deficit varied between 2 and 3,300 specimens. Sampling intensity and the journal impact factor were significantly and positively correlated with oversampling, but these variables did not explain the sampling deficit. The positive correlation between journal impact factor and oversampling may reflect a publication bias where high-impact journals and researchers seek more generalizable information obtained with a higher sampling intensity. Dung beetle oversampling was not homogeneous between habitats, being highest in old-growth forests and lowest in disturbed habitats such as pastures and forest edges. Our results show that the collection intensity used in dung beetle studies should be reconsidered carefully. By incorporating ethical principles used in animal science, we suggest sampling guidelines for a robust sampling scheme of dung beetle diversity, which would also prevent oversampling. Consciously reducing sampling intensity will make resource use more cost-effective. We suggest increasing the number of independent sampling units rather than intensifying subsampling, thereby increasing the predictive power of statistical models to obtain more robust evidence of the phenomena under study.
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Jeliazkov A, Gavish Y, Marsh CJ, Geschke J, Brummitt N, Rocchini D, Haase P, Kunin WE, Henle K. Sampling and modelling rare species: Conceptual guidelines for the neglected majority. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:3754-3777. [PMID: 35098624 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity conservation faces a methodological conundrum: Biodiversity measurement often relies on species, most of which are rare at various scales, especially prone to extinction under global change, but also the most challenging to sample and model. Predicting the distribution change of rare species using conventional species distribution models is challenging because rare species are hardly captured by most survey systems. When enough data are available, predictions are usually spatially biased towards locations where the species is most likely to occur, violating the assumptions of many modelling frameworks. Workflows to predict and eventually map rare species distributions imply important trade-offs between data quantity, quality, representativeness and model complexity that need to be considered prior to survey and analysis. Our opinion is that study designs need to carefully integrate the different steps, from species sampling to modelling, in accordance with the different types of rarity and available data in order to improve our capacity for sound assessment and prediction of rare species distribution. In this article, we summarize and comment on how different categories of species rarity lead to different types of occurrence and distribution data depending on choices made during the survey process, namely the spatial distribution of samples (where to sample) and the sampling protocol in each selected location (how to sample). We then clarify which species distribution models are suitable depending on the different types of distribution data (how to model). Among others, for most rarity forms, we highlight the insights from systematic species-targeted sampling coupled with hierarchical models that allow correcting for overdispersion and spatial and sampling sources of bias. Our article provides scientists and practitioners with a much-needed guide through the ever-increasing diversity of methodological developments to improve the prediction of rare species distribution depending on rarity type and available data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yoni Gavish
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Charles J Marsh
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Ecology and Evolution & Yale Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jonas Geschke
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Neil Brummitt
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Duccio Rocchini
- BIOME Lab, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Spatial Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Praha - Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Haase
- Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Gelnhausen, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Klaus Henle
- Department of Conservation Biology & Social-Ecological Systems, UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
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Sánchez-Hernández G, Gómez B, Chamé-Vázquez ER, Navarrete-Heredia JL, González-Martín del Campo F. Dung beetle diversity and community composition along a fragmented landscape in an altitudinal gradient in southeastern Mexico. Biologia (Bratisl) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-022-01036-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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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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Bezanson GA, Dovell CD, Floate KD. Changes in the recovery of insects in pitfall traps associated with the age of cow dung bait fresh or frozen at the time of placement. BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2021; 111:340-347. [PMID: 33345762 DOI: 10.1017/s000748532000070x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pitfall traps baited with cattle dung are commonly used to characterize local assemblages of coprophilous insects. Baits can be made fresh or be prepared in advance and kept frozen until needed. Insect recoveries are expected to decline with the age of the bait and may be affected by the use of fresh vs. frozen baits. To assess the effect of these two factors on insect recoveries, we performed a pitfall trap experiment that was repeated in four trials spanning 2 years and two locations in southern Alberta, Canada. The experimental design allowed us to minimize the potential confounding effect of short-term weather events. For results combined across trials, baits aged >3 days were largely ineffective for attracting coprophilous species. Frozen baits attracted significantly more insects than did fresh dung for the first 3 days after placement in the field with no difference thereafter. Our findings suggest that insect recoveries in dung-baited pitfall traps can be maximized with the use of frozen baits with replacement every 3-4 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Bezanson
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 5403 1st Avenue S., Lethbridge, ABT1J 4B1, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive W., Lethbridge, ABT1K 3M4, Canada
| | - C D Dovell
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 5403 1st Avenue S., Lethbridge, ABT1J 4B1, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive W., Lethbridge, ABT1K 3M4, Canada
| | - K D Floate
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive W., Lethbridge, ABT1K 3M4, Canada
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12
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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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13
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Ferreira KR, Puker A, Correa CMA. The Attraction of Amazonian Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) to the Feces of Omnivorous Mammals Is Dependent on Their Diet: Implications for Ecological Monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 49:1383-1392. [PMID: 32960219 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvaa106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The immense sampling effort used in ecological research on dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) has required large amounts of human feces to conduct experiments in the field. Thus, the amount of human feces available can be an important limiting factor for research. Therefore, dung from large omnivorous mammals, such as pig, has been used to reduce this limitation. Here, we evaluated how the type of diet can influence the attractiveness of omnivorous-mammal feces to Amazonian dung beetles. We sampled dung beetles in 10 fragments of Amazon rainforest in July 2018 (dry season) and March 2019 (rainy season), using pitfall traps baited with swill pig dung (household waste-based diet), grain pig dung (maize+soybean-based diet), and human feces (control) in Juína, Mato Grosso, Brazil. In all, 2,080 individuals from 51 species of dung beetles were collected. Between the pig dung evaluated, higher total abundance and species richness was captured with grain pig dung. However, the species composition and community structure were similar between pig dung types. Additionally, grain pig dung captured total species richness, species composition, and structure similar to that for human feces. Thus, although grain pig dung did not sample total abundance similar to human feces, this type of dung can be efficient for an accurate survey of the total species richness, species composition, and structure of dung beetles in the Amazon rainforest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kleyton R Ferreira
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Mato Grosso, Juína, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Anderson Puker
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Mato Grosso, Guarantã do Norte, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - César M A Correa
- Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
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14
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Raine EH, Mikich SB, Lewis OT, Slade EM. Linking dung beetle‐mediated functions to interactions in the Atlantic Forest: Sampling design matters. Biotropica 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Owen T. Lewis
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Eleanor M. Slade
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford UK
- Asian School of the Environment Nanyang Technological University Singapore Singapore
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15
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Milheiras SG, Guedes M, Augusto Barbosa Silva F, Aparício P, Mace GM. Patterns of biodiversity response along a gradient of forest use in Eastern Amazonia, Brazil. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8486. [PMID: 32095341 PMCID: PMC7020811 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The preservation of tropical forests is increasingly at risk, including forests located within human-modified landscapes that retain high conservation value. People modify and interact with these landscapes through a wide range of uses. However, our knowledge of how different forest uses affect biodiversity is limited. Here, we analyse the responses of different taxa to four distinct categories of forest management, namely old-growth forest, Brazil nut extraction areas, reduced impact logging areas, and eucalyptus plantations. Within six independent replicates of each category, we sampled three taxa (fruit-feeding butterflies, dung beetles, and trees) in eastern Amazonia. Forests under moderate use (Brazil nut extraction and reduced-impact logging) had similar, albeit slightly lower, diversity levels relative to old-growth forests, while communities in plantations were significantly less diverse. Only 4%, 20%, and 17%, of the sampled butterfly, dung beetle, and tree species, respectively, were restricted to old-growth forests. This study provides further empirical evidence of the importance of old-growth forest conservation in the context of human-modified landscapes. It also suggests that landscape matrices integrating forest uses at varying intensities are well positioned to reconcile biodiversity conservation with the production of goods that support local livelihoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio G Milheiras
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Georgina M Mace
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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16
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Whitworth A, Whittaker L, Pillco Huarcaya R, Flatt E, Morales ML, Connor D, Priego MG, Forsyth A, Beirne C. Spider Monkeys Rule the Roost: Ateline Sleeping Sites Influence Rainforest Heterogeneity. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E1052. [PMID: 31805694 PMCID: PMC6941026 DOI: 10.3390/ani9121052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
: The sleeping site behavior of Ateline primates has been of interest since the 1980s, yet limited focus has been given to their influence upon other rainforest species. Here, we use a combination of arboreal and terrestrial camera traps, and dung beetle pitfall traps, to characterize spider monkey sleeping site use and quantify the impact of their associated latrines on terrestrial vertebrate and dung beetle activity. We also characterize the physical characteristics of the sleeping sites and the floristic and soil composition of latrines beneath them. Spider monkey activity at sleeping sites peaked at dawn and dusk and group composition varied by sex of the adults detected. The habitat-use of terrestrial fauna (vertebrates and dung beetles) differed between latrine sites and non-latrine controls, underpinned by species-specific changes in the relative abundance of several seed-dispersing species (such as paca and great curassow). Seedling density was higher in latrines than in non-latrine controls. Although most soil properties were similar between latrines and controls, potassium and manganese concentrations were different. These results suggest that spider monkey sleeping site fidelity leads to a hotspot of ecological activity in latrines and downstream impacts on rainforest floristic composition and diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Whitworth
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Lawrence Whittaker
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
- Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, UK
| | - Ruthmery Pillco Huarcaya
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Eleanor Flatt
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Marvin Lopez Morales
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Danielle Connor
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, School of Bio sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK; (D.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Marina Garrido Priego
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Adrian Forsyth
- Osa Conservation, Conservation Science Team, Washington, DC, 20005, USA; (L.W.); (R.P.H.); (E.F.); (M.L.M.); (M.G.P.); (A.F.)
| | - Chris Beirne
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, School of Bio sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK; (D.C.); (C.B.)
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17
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Urrea-Galeano LA, Andresen E, Coates R, Mora Ardila F, Díaz Rojas A, Ramos-Fernández G. Horizontal seed dispersal by dung beetles reduced seed and seedling clumping, but did not increase short-term seedling establishment. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224366. [PMID: 31648268 PMCID: PMC6812793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dung beetles are secondary seed dispersers, incidentally moving many of the seeds defecated by mammals vertically (seed burial) and/or horizontally as they process and relocate dung. Although several studies have quantified this ecological function of dung beetles, very few have followed seed fate until seedling establishment, and most of these have focused on the effects of seed burial. We know very little about the effects of horizontal seed movement by dung beetles, though it is generally assumed that it will affect plant recruitment positively through diminishing seed clumping. The objective of our study was to assess the effects of dung beetle activity on the spatial distribution of seeds and seedlings, and on the probability of seedling establishment. In a tropical rainforest in Mexico we carried out two complementary field experiments for each of two tree species (Bursera simaruba and Poulsenia armata), using seeds experimentally imbedded in pig dung and recording their fate and spatial location over time. For both species, dung beetle activity reduced the spatial clumping of seeds and seedlings; however, it did not increase the probability of seedling establishment. We discuss the context- and species-specificity of the combined effects of horizontal and vertical dispersal of seeds by dung beetles, and the need to quantify long-term seedling fates to more accurately determine the effects of seed movement by dung beetles on plant recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Adonay Urrea-Galeano
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- * E-mail: (EA); (LAUG)
| | - Ellen Andresen
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
- * E-mail: (EA); (LAUG)
| | - Rosamond Coates
- Estación de Biología Tropical Los Tuxtlas, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Francisco Mora Ardila
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | | | - Gabriel Ramos-Fernández
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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18
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Sukhdeo CA, Philips TK, Tasse GC, Fokam EB, Morgan K. Elevational variation of dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) communities on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. AFRICAN ZOOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/15627020.2019.1645618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christie A Sukhdeo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
| | - T Keith Philips
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States
| | - Geraud C Tasse
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Ore Processing Laboratory, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Eric B Fokam
- Department of Biology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States
| | - Katy Morgan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
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19
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Parrett JM, Mann DJ, Chung AYC, Slade EM, Knell RJ. Sexual selection predicts the persistence of populations within altered environments. Ecol Lett 2019; 22:1629-1637. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.13358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M. Parrett
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
| | - Darren J. Mann
- Hope Entomological Collections, Museum of Natural History Oxford University Oxford UK
| | - Arthur Y. C. Chung
- Forestry Department Forest Research Centre P.O. Box 1407 90715 Sandakan Sabah Malaysia
| | - Eleanor M. Slade
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
- Asian School of the Environment Nanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Avenue Singapore City 639798 Singapore
| | - Robert J. Knell
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
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20
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Jones MS, Fu Z, Reganold JP, Karp DS, Besser TE, Tylianakis JM, Snyder WE. Organic farming promotes biotic resistance to foodborne human pathogens. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Jones
- Department of EntomologyWashington State University Pullman Washington
- Tree Fruit Research and Extension CenterWashington State University Wenatchee Washington
| | - Zhen Fu
- Department of EntomologyWashington State University Pullman Washington
| | - John P. Reganold
- Department of Crop and Soil SciencesWashington State University Pullman Washington
| | - Daniel S. Karp
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation BiologyUniversity of California at Davis Davis California
| | - Thomas E. Besser
- School of Veterinary MedicineWashington State University Pullman Washington
| | - Jason M. Tylianakis
- Bio‐Protection Research CentreSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of Canterbury Christchurch New Zealand
- Department of Life SciencesImperial College London Berkshire UK
| | - William E. Snyder
- Department of EntomologyWashington State University Pullman Washington
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21
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Urrea-Galeano LA, Andresen E, Coates R, Mora Ardila F, Ibarra-Manríquez G. Dung beetle activity affects rain forest seed bank dynamics and seedling establishment. Biotropica 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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; Veracruz México
| | - Francisco Mora Ardila
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Morelia México
| | - Guillermo Ibarra-Manríquez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Morelia México
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22
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Raine EH, Mikich SB, Lewis OT, Riordan P, Vaz‐de‐Mello FZ, Slade EM. Extinctions of interactions: quantifying a dung beetle–mammal network. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Owen T. Lewis
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford OX1 3PS UK
| | - Philip Riordan
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford OX1 3PS UK
- Marwell Wildlife Colden Common Winchester SO21 1JH UK
| | - Fernando Z. Vaz‐de‐Mello
- Departamento de Biologia e Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso Av. Fernando, Corrêa da Costa, 2367, Boa Esperança 78060‐900 Cuiabá MT Brazil
| | - Eleanor M. Slade
- Department of Zoology University of Oxford Oxford OX1 3PS UK
- Lancaster Environment Centre University of Lancaster Lancaster LA1 AYQ UK
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23
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Frank K, Krell FT, Slade EM, Raine EH, Chiew LY, Schmitt T, Vairappan CS, Walter P, Blüthgen N. Global dung webs: high trophic generalism of dung beetles along the latitudinal diversity gradient. Ecol Lett 2018; 21:1229-1236. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.13095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Frank
- Ecological Networks; Department of Biology; Technische Universität Darmstadt; Schnittspahnstr. 3 D-64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Frank-Thorsten Krell
- Department of Zoology; Denver Museum of Nature & Science; 2001 Colorado Blvd Denver Colorado 80205-5798 USA
| | - Eleanor M. Slade
- Department of Zoology; University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
- Lancaster Environment Centre; University of Lancaster; Lancaster LA1 4YQ UK
| | - Elizabeth H. Raine
- Department of Zoology; University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
| | - Li Yuen Chiew
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation; University Malaysia Sabah; Jalan UMS; 88400 Kota Kinabalu Sabah Malaysia
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology; University of Würzburg; D-97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Charles S. Vairappan
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation; University Malaysia Sabah; Jalan UMS; 88400 Kota Kinabalu Sabah Malaysia
| | - Philippe Walter
- Laboratoire d'Endocrinologie des Insectes; Faculté des Sciences; Université de Nantes; 44072 Nantes Cedex 03 France
- 130, Village F-09300 Montségur France
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Ecological Networks; Department of Biology; Technische Universität Darmstadt; Schnittspahnstr. 3 D-64287 Darmstadt Germany
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24
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Correa CMA, Braga RF, Puker A, Abot AR, Korasaki V. Optimising Methods for Dung Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Sampling in Brazilian Pastures. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2018; 47:48-54. [PMID: 29293908 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvx191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Dung beetles are globally used in ecological research and are useful for assessing the effects of anthropic and natural changes in environment on biodiversity. Here we investigate how the choice of baits (human feces, cattle dung, carrion or a combination of all three) and sampling season influence the taxonomic and functional diversity of insects captured in traps in Brazilian pastures. We sampled dung beetles in July 2011 (dry season) and January 2012 (rainy season) in eight areas: four pastures with native grasses (e.g., Andropogon spp. and Axonopus spp.) and four pastures with introduced grasses (Urochloa spp.) in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. To collect the insects, we used pitfall traps baited with carrion, cattle dung and human feces. A total of 7,086 dung beetles of 32 species were captured. In both pasture types, only traps baited with human feces captured similar abundance, species richness, and functional diversity compared with the sum total of beetles captured by the three bait types. The species richness and functional diversity were higher in the rainy season in both pasture types. Our results demonstrate that using human feces alone as bait and sampling dung beetles in the rainy season are potentially sufficient to ensure the greatest number of functional traits, species, and individuals in both pasture types. Thus, the best sampling method observed in this study may be useful for studies focused on dung beetle fauna survey and rigorous comparison among studies on these insects in Brazilian pastures.
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Affiliation(s)
- César M A Correa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo F Braga
- Departamento de Biologia, Setor de Ecologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Anderson Puker
- Faculdades Integradas Aparício Carvalho (FIMCA), Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil
| | - Alfredo R Abot
- Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Laboratório de Entomologia, Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Vanesca Korasaki
- Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Frutal, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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25
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França F, Barlow J, Araújo B, Louzada J. Does selective logging stress tropical forest invertebrates? Using fat stores to examine sublethal responses in dung beetles. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:8526-8533. [PMID: 28031804 PMCID: PMC5167030 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The increased global demand for tropical timber has driven vast expanses of tropical forests to be selectively logged worldwide. While logging impacts on wildlife are predicted to change species distribution and abundance, the underlying physiological responses are poorly understood. Although there is a growing consensus that selective logging impacts on natural populations start with individual stress-induced sublethal responses, this literature is dominated by investigations conducted with vertebrates from temperate zones. Moreover, the sublethal effects of human-induced forest disturbance on tropical invertebrates have never been examined. To help address this knowledge gap, we examined the body fat content and relative abundance of three dung beetle species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) with minimum abundance of 40 individuals within each examined treatment level. These were sampled across 34 plots in a before-after control-impact design (BACI) in a timber concession area of the Brazilian Amazon. For the first time, we present evidence of logging-induced physiological stress responses in tropical invertebrates. Selective logging increased the individual levels of fat storage and reduced the relative abundance of two dung beetle species. Given this qualitative similarity, we support the measurement of body fat content as reliable biomarker to assess stress-induced sublethal effects on dung beetles. Understanding how environmental modification impacts the wildlife has never been more important. Our novel approach provides new insights into the mechanisms through which forest disturbances impose population-level impacts on tropical invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe França
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster UniversityBailriggLancasterUK
- Departamento de BiologiaUniversidade Federal de LavrasLavras‐MGBrazil
| | - Jos Barlow
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster UniversityBailriggLancasterUK
- Departamento de BiologiaUniversidade Federal de LavrasLavras‐MGBrazil
- Museu Paraense Emilio GoeldiBelém‐PABrazil
| | - Bárbara Araújo
- Laboratório de plantas oleaginosas, óleos, gorduras e biodiesel, Departamento de AgriculturaUniversidade Federal de LavrasLavras‐MGBrazil
| | - Julio Louzada
- Lancaster Environment CentreLancaster UniversityBailriggLancasterUK
- Departamento de BiologiaUniversidade Federal de LavrasLavras‐MGBrazil
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26
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Villada-Bedoya S, Cultid-Medina CA, Escobar F, Guevara R, Zurita G. Edge effects on dung beetle assemblages in an Andean mosaic of forest and coffee plantations. Biotropica 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/btp.12373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Villada-Bedoya
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Recursos Naturales (BIONAT); Universidad de Caldas; Calle 65 No 26-10 A.A. 275 Manizales Caldas Colombia
| | - Carlos A. Cultid-Medina
- Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Recursos Naturales (BIONAT); Universidad de Caldas; Calle 65 No 26-10 A.A. 275 Manizales Caldas Colombia
- Grupo de Investigación en Biología, Ecología y Manejo de Hormigas; Universidad del Valle; Calle 13 No 100-00 A. A. 25360 Cali Colombia
- Wildlife Conservation Society; WCS-Colombia; Avenida 5 Norte No. 22 N - 11 Cali Colombia
| | - Federico Escobar
- Instituto de Ecología A. C.; Carretera antigua a Coatepec No. 351, Col. El Haya C.P. 91070 Xalapa Veracruz México
| | - Roger Guevara
- Instituto de Ecología A. C.; Carretera antigua a Coatepec No. 351, Col. El Haya C.P. 91070 Xalapa Veracruz México
| | - Gustavo Zurita
- Instituto de Biología Subtropical; Facultad de Ciencias Forestales; Universidad Nacional de Misiones-CONICET; Bertoni 85 Puerto Iguazú Misiones C.P: 3370 Argentina
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27
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Knapp M, Baranovská E, Jakubec P. Effects of Bait Presence and Type of Preservative Fluid on Ground and Carrion Beetle Samples Collected by Pitfall Trapping. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 45:1022-1028. [PMID: 27260789 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvw047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Pitfall trapping is a sampling technique frequently used by entomologists around the world. However, there exist sampling biases linked to particular trapping designs, which require investigation. In this study, we compared the effects of the type of preservative fluid (propylene glycol or formaldehyde) and the presence of fish bait in pitfall traps on the number of specimens (individuals) collected, the species richness, and the species composition of carabid (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and silphid (Coleoptera: Silphidae) beetle assemblages. Traps containing propylene glycol collected a substantially higher number of individuals of both taxa and a higher number of silphid species compared with traps containing formaldehyde. The use of fish bait in the traps increased the number of individuals collected and the number of species collected for silphid beetles but had no effect on the collection parameters for carabids. The species composition of the carabid assemblages was minimally affected by the presence of fish bait or the type of preservative fluid, whereas the fish bait had a substantial effect on the species composition of silphids. The silphid species that feed directly on vertebrate carcasses were almost completely absent in the nonbaited traps. The results suggest that pitfall traps baited with fish and containing propylene glycol as a preservative fluid are optimal for the simultaneous sampling of carabid and silphid beetles, which both provide important ecosystem services (e.g., predation of pests and decomposition of vertebrate carcasses) and are therefore interesting for ecological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Knapp
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Praha 6 - Suchdol, 165 21, Czech Republic (; ; )
| | - Eliška Baranovská
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Praha 6 - Suchdol, 165 21, Czech Republic (; ; )
| | - Pavel Jakubec
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, Praha 6 - Suchdol, 165 21, Czech Republic (; ; )
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28
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Nichols E, Peres CA, Hawes JE, Naeem S. Multitrophic diversity effects of network degradation. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:4936-46. [PMID: 27547324 PMCID: PMC4979718 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Predicting the functional consequences of biodiversity loss in realistic, multitrophic communities remains a challenge. No existing biodiversity–ecosystem function study to date has simultaneously incorporated information on species traits, network topology, and extinction across multiple trophic levels, while all three factors are independently understood as critical drivers of post‐extinction network structure and function. We fill this gap by comparing the functional consequences of simulated species loss both within (monotrophic) and across (bitrophic) trophic levels, in an ecological interaction network estimated from spatially explicit field data on tropical fecal detritus producer and consumers (mammals and dung beetles). We simulated trait‐ordered beetle and mammal extinction separately (monotrophic extinction) and the coextinction of beetles following mammal loss (bitrophic extinction), according to network structure. We also compared the diversity effects of bitrophic extinction models using a standard monotrophic function (the daily production or consumption of fecal detritus) and a unique bitrophic functional metric (the proportion of daily detritus production that is consumed). We found similar mono‐ and bitrophic diversity effects, regardless of which species traits were used to drive extinctions, yet divergent predictions when different measures of function were used. The inclusion of information on network structure had little apparent effect on the qualitative relationship between diversity and function. These results contribute to our growing understanding of the functional consequences of biodiversity from real systems and underscore the importance of species traits and realistic functional metrics to assessments of the ecosystem impacts of network degradation through species loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Nichols
- Department of Biology Swarthmore College Swarthmore Pennsylvania 19081; Department of Ecology University of São Paulo Sao Paulo 05508-090 Brazil
| | - Carlos A Peres
- School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Norwich Research Park Norwich NR47TJ U.K
| | - Joseph E Hawes
- School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Norwich Research Park Norwich NR47TJ U.K; Animal and Environment Research Group Department of Life Sciences Anglia Ruskin University East Road Cambridge CB1 1PT U.K
| | - Shahid Naeem
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Columbia University New York New York 10027
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29
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França F, Louzada J, Korasaki V, Griffiths H, Silveira JM, Barlow J. Do space-for-time assessments underestimate the impacts of logging on tropical biodiversity? An Amazonian case study using dung beetles. J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Filipe França
- Departamento de Biologia; Universidade Federal de Lavras; Lavras MG 37200-000 Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre; Lancaster University; Bailrigg Lancaster LA1 4YQ UK
| | - Julio Louzada
- Departamento de Biologia; Universidade Federal de Lavras; Lavras MG 37200-000 Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre; Lancaster University; Bailrigg Lancaster LA1 4YQ UK
| | - Vanesca Korasaki
- Departamento de Biologia; Universidade Federal de Lavras; Lavras MG 37200-000 Brazil
- Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais; Av. Prof. Mario Palmério, 1001 Frutal MG 38200-000 Brazil
| | - Hannah Griffiths
- Departamento de Biologia; Universidade Federal de Lavras; Lavras MG 37200-000 Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre; Lancaster University; Bailrigg Lancaster LA1 4YQ UK
- School of Environmental Sciences; University of Liverpool; Liverpool L69 3GP UK
| | - Juliana M. Silveira
- Departamento de Biologia; Universidade Federal de Lavras; Lavras MG 37200-000 Brazil
| | - Jos Barlow
- Departamento de Biologia; Universidade Federal de Lavras; Lavras MG 37200-000 Brazil
- Lancaster Environment Centre; Lancaster University; Bailrigg Lancaster LA1 4YQ UK
- Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi; Av. Magalhães Barata, 376 Belém PA 66040-170 Brazil
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30
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Griffiths HM, Louzada J, Bardgett RD, Barlow J. Assessing the Importance of Intraspecific Variability in Dung Beetle Functional Traits. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0145598. [PMID: 26939121 PMCID: PMC4777568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional diversity indices are used to facilitate a mechanistic understanding of many theoretical and applied questions in current ecological research. The use of mean trait values in functional indices assumes that traits are robust, in that greater variability exists between than within species. While the assertion of robust traits has been explored in plants, there exists little information on the source and extent of variability in the functional traits of higher trophic level organisms. Here we investigated variability in two functionally relevant dung beetle traits, measured from individuals collected from three primary forest sites containing distinct beetle communities: body mass and back leg length. In doing so we too addressed the following questions: (i) what is the contribution of intra vs. interspecific differences in trait values; (ii) what sample size is needed to provide representative species mean trait values; and (iii) what impact does omission of intraspecific trait information have on the calculation of functional diversity (FD) indices from naturally assembled communities? At the population level, interspecific differences explained the majority of variability in measured traits (between 94% and 96%). In accordance with this, the error associated with calculating FD without inclusion of intraspecific variability was low, less than 20% in all cases. This suggests that complete sampling to capture intraspecific variance in traits is not necessary even when investigating the FD of small and/or naturally formed communities. To gain an accurate estimation of species mean trait values we encourage the measurement of 30-60 individuals and, where possible, these should be taken from specimens collected from the site of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Griffiths
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200–000, Brazil
- School of Environmental Sciences, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, 4 Brownlow Street, L69 3GP, United Kingdom
| | - Julio Louzada
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200–000, Brazil
| | - Richard D. Bardgett
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Michael Smith Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Jos Barlow
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200–000, Brazil
- Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi, Av. Magalhães Barata, 376, Belém-Pará, Brazil
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31
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da Silva PG, Hernández MIM. Spatial patterns of movement of dung beetle species in a tropical forest suggest a new trap spacing for dung beetle biodiversity studies. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126112. [PMID: 25938506 PMCID: PMC4418735 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A primary goal of community ecologists is to understand the processes underlying the spatiotemporal patterns of species distribution. Understanding the dispersal process is of great interest in ecology because it is related to several mechanisms driving community structure. We investigated the mobility of dung beetles using mark-release-recapture technique, and tested the usefulness of the current recommendation for interaction distance between baited pitfall traps in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We found differences in mean movement rate between Scarabaeinae species, and between species with different sets of ecological traits. Large-diurnal-tunneler species showed greater mobility than did both large-nocturnal tunneler and roller species. Our results suggest that, based on the analyses of the whole community or the species with the highest number of recaptured individuals, the minimum distance of 50 m between pairs of baited pitfall traps proposed roughly 10 years ago is inadequate. Dung beetle species with different sets of ecological traits may differ in their dispersal ability, so we suggest a new minimum distance of 100 m between pairs of traps to minimize interference between baited pitfall traps for sampling copronecrophagous Scarabaeinae dung beetles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Giovâni da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Malva Isabel Medina Hernández
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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32
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Mehrabi Z, Slade EM, Solis A, Mann DJ. The importance of microhabitat for biodiversity sampling. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114015. [PMID: 25469770 PMCID: PMC4254948 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Responses to microhabitat are often neglected when ecologists sample animal indicator groups. Microhabitats may be particularly influential in non-passive biodiversity sampling methods, such as baited traps or light traps, and for certain taxonomic groups which respond to fine scale environmental variation, such as insects. Here we test the effects of microhabitat on measures of species diversity, guild structure and biomass of dung beetles, a widely used ecological indicator taxon. We demonstrate that choice of trap placement influences dung beetle functional guild structure and species diversity. We found that locally measured environmental variables were unable to fully explain trap-based differences in species diversity metrics or microhabitat specialism of functional guilds. To compare the effects of habitat degradation on biodiversity across multiple sites, sampling protocols must be standardized and scale-relevant. Our work highlights the importance of considering microhabitat scale responses of indicator taxa and designing robust sampling protocols which account for variation in microhabitats during trap placement. We suggest that this can be achieved either through standardization of microhabitat or through better efforts to record relevant environmental variables that can be incorporated into analyses to account for microhabitat effects. This is especially important when rapidly assessing the consequences of human activity on biodiversity loss and associated ecosystem function and services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zia Mehrabi
- Biodiversity Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Hope Entomological Collections, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor M. Slade
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Abingdon, United Kingdom
- Spatial Foodweb Ecology Group, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Angel Solis
- Unidad de Artrópodos, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica
| | - Darren J. Mann
- Hope Entomological Collections, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford, United Kingdom
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33
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Gray CL, Slade EM, Mann DJ, Lewis OT. Do riparian reserves support dung beetle biodiversity and ecosystem services in oil palm-dominated tropical landscapes? Ecol Evol 2014; 4:1049-60. [PMID: 24772282 PMCID: PMC3997321 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Agricultural expansion and intensification are major threats to global biodiversity, ecological functions, and ecosystem services. The rapid expansion of oil palm in forested tropical landscapes is of particular concern given their high biodiversity. Identifying management approaches that maintain native species and associated ecological processes within oil palm plantations is therefore a priority. Riparian reserves are strips of forest retained alongside rivers in cultivated areas, primarily for their positive hydrological impact. However, they can also support a range of forest-dependent species or ecosystem services. We surveyed communities of dung beetles and measured dung removal activity in an oil palm-dominated landscape in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The species richness, diversity, and functional group richness of dung beetles in riparian reserves were significantly higher than in oil palm, but lower than in adjacent logged forests. The community composition of the riparian reserves was more similar to logged forest than oil palm. Despite the pronounced differences in biodiversity, we did not find significant differences in dung removal rates among land uses. We also found no evidence that riparian reserves enhance dung removal rates within surrounding oil palm. These results contrast previous studies showing positive relationships between dung beetle species richness and dung removal in tropical forests. We found weak but significant positive relationships between riparian reserve width and dung beetle diversity, and between reserve vegetation complexity and dung beetle abundance, suggesting that these features may increase the conservation value of riparian reserves. Synthesis and applications: The similarity between riparian reserves and logged forest demonstrates that retaining riparian reserves increases biodiversity within oil palm landscapes. However, the lack of correlation between dung beetle community characteristics and dung removal highlights the need for further research into spatial variation in biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships and how the results of such studies are affected by methodological choices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eleanor M Slade
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford Oxford, U.K ; Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
| | - Darren J Mann
- Hope Entomological Collections, Museum of Natural History, Oxford University Oxford, U.K
| | - Owen T Lewis
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford Oxford, U.K
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34
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Bogoni JA, Hernández MIM. Attractiveness of native mammal's feces of different trophic guilds to dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2014; 14:ieu161. [PMID: 25528749 PMCID: PMC5657881 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieu161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Mammal feces are the primary food and nesting resource for the majority of dung beetle species, and larval development depends on the quantity and quality of that resource. Physiological necessities, competitive interactions, and resource sharing are common and suggest that dung beetles may show preferences for feces of greater nutritional quality, which may in turn impact beetle assemblages and community structure. This study investigated whether attractiveness of dung beetles to different resource (feces) types varies depending on mammal trophic guild and associated nutritional content. This study was conducted in Atlantic Forest fragments in the Parque Estadual da Serra do Tabuleiro, Santa Catarina, Brazil. To evaluate attractiveness, the feces of the carnivore Puma concolor, the omnivores Cerdocyon thous and Sapajus nigritus, and the herbivore Tapirus terrestris were utilized as bait. Dung was collected from zoo animals fed a standard diet. Sampling was performed in triplicate in five areas in the summer of 2013. Four pitfall traps were established in each area, and each trap was baited with one type of mammal feces. Food preference of the species was analyzed by calculating Rodgers' index for cafeteria-type experiments. In total, 426 individuals from 17 species were collected. Rodgers' index showed that omnivorous mammal feces (C. thous) were most attractive to all dung beetle species, although it is known that dung beetles are commonly opportunistic with respect to search for and allocation of food resources. These results suggest that mammal loss could alter competitive interactions between dung beetles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliano A Bogoni
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Malva I M Hernández
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil
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