Differences in Coprophilous Beetle Communities Structure in Sierra de Minas (Uruguay): a Mosaic Landscape

Abstract

Coprophilous beetles represent an abundant and rich group with critical importance in the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Most coprophagous beetles have a stenotopic distribution in relation to vegetation types. Because of this, they are usually very sensitive to environmental changes and are considered well suited as bioindicator organisms. The aim of this study was to analyze variations in coprophilous beetle assemblages in natural and anthropogenic habitats. Coprophilous beetle communities were sampled monthly for 1 year using pitfall traps baited with cow dung, in native xeric upland forests, 15-years-old plantations of Pinus elliottii and pastures in Sierra de Minas, Lavalleja, Uruguay. A total of 7,436 beetles were caught and identified to species or morphospecies level. The most abundant families were Aphodiidae, Scarabaeidae, and Staphylinidae. Differences in species richness, abundance, Shannon index, evenness, and dominance were detected between habitats. Abundances of most frequent families were significantly higher in both kinds of forests. Species richness and diversity of Aphodiidae and Staphylinidae were higher in forests, while Scarabaeidae showed the highest richness and diversity in pine plantations. Species composition significantly differed between habitats. Uroxys terminalis Waterhouse and Ataenius perforatus Harold typified the assemblages in native forests and pine plantations and also discriminated both communities because of their differential pattern of abundance between habitats. Typifying species in pastures were Onthophagus hirculus, Ateuchus robustus (Harold), and Ataenius platensis Blanchard. Habitat type had a strong effect on the coprophilous beetle community structure and composition.

What level of native beetle diversity can be supported by forestry plantations? A global synthesis

“…Plantations isolated from natural forests may be out of reach for dispersing beetles, whereas connectivity allows the dispersion of beetles into plantations from the natural forest (Davis et al ., 2001; Gries et al ., 2012; Cerda et al ., 2015). Higher species richness in smaller plantations may also be related to the edge effect, enabling the influx of matrix species into these plantations (González‐Vainer et al ., 2012; Magura et al ., 2017). In contrast, larger plantations likely exclude both forest specialist and matrix species, reducing their overall species richness (Magura et al ., 2017).…”

Additional and new records of some Oxytelinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from Turkey with notes on habitat associations

“…This was considered to be a complex habitat that provides shelter from predators of forest habitats. In Europe, due to the fact that domestic mammals in pasture are more dominant, it is stated that coprophagous Oxytelinae species richness in pasture habitat is high (González-Vainer et al, 2012;Greenberg & Thomas, 1995). Numerous small oxytelines are many times found in cow dung.…”

“…Species collected from these habitats usually feed on various kinds of decayed or rotting organic matter. Studies in the Nearctic region (González-Vainer et al, 2012;Greenberg & Thomas, 1995) showed that forest habitats have greater coprophagous Oxytelinae species diversity than pasture habitats. This was considered to be a complex habitat that provides shelter from predators of forest habitats.…”