Dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) persistence in Amazonian forest fragments and adjacent pastures: biogeographic implications for alpha and beta diversity

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of habitat loss and forest replacement by cattle pasture on the alpha and beta diversity, abundance, biomass and species composition of dung beetles with different dispersal ability. Dung beetles were captured in 19 forest fragments and neighbouring pastures. Forest fragment area ranged from 3.7 to 4825 ha and in this study were grouped into four categories: small, medium, large and control forest. A total of 35,048 dung beetles representing 101 species were collected. Forest fragments had the highest richness with 81 species, followed by pasture with 58 species. Replacement of forest by pasture reduced species richness; however, due to the proximity and connectivity of these areas with Cerrado patches, pastures also had high species richness, but species composition was independent of adjacent fragments. Small fragments had lower abundance and species richness than our other habitat categories, even pastures. Our results highlight that proximity and connectivity with Cerrado areas influenced the patterns of alpha and beta diversity of dung beetles in fragments and pastures. We highlight that the ability to cross the pasture matrix is a strong adaptive trait for species living in humanmodified landscapes. Consequently, species with these abilities are less susceptible to the effects of forest fragmentation and local extinction. Our results reinforce the importance of considering the biogeographic location and distribution pattern of species in forest fragmentation studies.

Comparison of dung beetle communities (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in oil palm plantations and native forest in the eastern Amazon, Brazil

“…Similar results were found in other studies on land use in the Amazon, in which the intense use and modification of the soil caused a change in the richness and abundance of scarabaeine species (Gardner et al, 2008b;Braga et al, 2013;Cajaiba et al, 2017) as has been shown in studies comparing preserved areas with those modified for agriculture (Halffter and Matthews, 1966;Braga et al, 2013;Silva et al, 2016).…”

Co‐declining mammal–dung beetle faunas throughout the Atlantic Forest biome of South America

“…Dung beetles exhibit high movement capability due to the random and ephemerality distribution of their food resources (Roslin and Viljanen 2011). Although some species are forest-dependent (Silva et al 2016, da Silva et al 2019, the current fragmentation scenario of the Atlantic Forest suggests that dung beetle assemblages may be structured by a metacommunity dynamic with migration across neighbouring fragments (da Silva et al 2019). Although some species are forest-dependent (Silva et al 2016, da Silva et al 2019, the current fragmentation scenario of the Atlantic Forest suggests that dung beetle assemblages may be structured by a metacommunity dynamic with migration across neighbouring fragments (da Silva et al 2019).…”

“…For instance, a diurnal large-bodied species (Oxysternon conspicillatum) was recaptured two days after release 1 km away in an Ecuadorian forest (Peck and Forsyth 1982). Although some species are forest-dependent (Silva et al 2016, da Silva et al 2019, the current fragmentation scenario of the Atlantic Forest suggests that dung beetle assemblages may be structured by a metacommunity dynamic with migration across neighbouring fragments (da Silva et al 2019). Based on these empirical data, adjacent assemblages of both taxonomic groups can be coalesced over variable spatial scales, comprising a metacommunity scenario.…”

Diversidad espacial del ensamblaje de escarabajos coprófagos (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) en cinco ecoregiones de Sucre, costa Caribe Colombiana

“…However, species richness varies substantially between ecoregions, presenting its highest value in the Montes de María region due to an inferior level of perturbation and higher degree of conservation. In addition, this region accommodates the most adequate climatic conditions in temperature, precipitation, and humidity (i.e., 26.8 °C, 1,100 mm, and 75 % humidity; variables strongly related with the conservation level of the vegetation cover) to maintain dung beetles' populations, as registered in other studies for other regions (Nunes et al 2016;Silva et al 2016;Gómez-Cifuentes et al 2017). Likewise, the low richness observed in other ecoregions may be due to a higher level of perturbation and habitat degradation as a result of extensive livestock breeding (Aguilera 2005).…”