The Pantanal is the largest seasonal freshwater wetland on Earth, characterized by the seasonal flooding and complex mosaic vegetation, which determines its biodiversity. Among this biodiversity, dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) are a group of insects that perform important ecological functions, such as: nutrient cycling, seed dispersion and parasite control. In order to mitigate the lack of information on dung beetle fauna of the Brazilian Pantanal, we conducted a bibliographic search of virtually all literature published until november-2020 on dung beetles sampled in the Pantanal. In addition, we had accessed to the records the largest collection of the dung beetle species from Brazilian Pantanal. We recorded 68 dung beetle species of 30 genera. The genera Canthon Holffmanseg 1847 is the most diverse with 13 species recorded. Although our knowledge about the dung beetle fauna in this ecosystem is still incipient, our results demonstrated a high richness of dung beetles in the Brazilian Pantanal. In addition, our study provides first list of dung beetle species and an illustrated dichotomy key to identify genera and some species occurring in the Brazilian Pantanal. Thus, the use of this guide for identification of dung beetle species and a list of species can be important tools to help researchers and provide incentive for new inventories on dung beetle fauna in the Brazilian Pantanal.
Differential diagnoses, updates on distribution ranges, and an illustrated identification key are given for all species of Agamopus. The first record for A. castaneus from Brazil is given. Type specimens of all valid species-group names are studied and illustrated. Notes on the natural history of Agamopus species, as well as brief phylogenetic comments, are presented. The new species Agamopus joker sp. nov. is described based on a male from Paraná, southern Brazil. Lectotypes are designated for Canthon unguicularis Harold, 1883 and Agamopus lampros Bates, 1887. We also propose the transfer of Agamopus convexus Balthasar, 1965 to the Ateuchus ovalis species group (Ateuchus convexus comb. nov.) based on morphological features of the protibiae, clypeal teeth, and the posterior margin of the pronotum and pygidium.
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