First observation on the predation of a non-arthropod species by a dung beetle species: The case of Canthon chalybaeus and the snail Bulimulus apodemetes

Abstract

We described, for the first time, a case of predation of a non-arthropod species by a dung beetle species. Canthon chalybaeus Blanchard, 1843 kills healthy individuals of the terrestrial snail Bulimulus apodemetes (D’Orbigny, 1835) showing an evident pattern of physical aggressiveness in the attacks using the dentate clypeus and the anterior tibiae. The description of this predatory behaviour was complemented with the analysis of the chemical secretions of the pygidial glands of C. chalybaeus, highlighting those main chemical compounds that, due to their potential toxicity, could contribute to death of the snail. We observed a high frequency of predatory interactions reinforcing the idea that predation in dung beetles is not accidental and although it is opportunistic it involves a series of behavioural sophistications that suggest an evolutionary pattern within Deltochilini that should not only be better studied from a behavioural point of view but also phylogenetically.

The reproductive behavior of Neotropical dung beetles

“…This behavior has been reported in different species of dung beetles next to the food source or a food ball, irrespective of whether a female is present, such as Canthon bispinus, C. chalybaeus, Blanchard, C. femoralis, C. cyanellus, C. lituratus, C. virens. However, in all these species, no female was observed arriving (Bellés and Favila, 1983;Favila and Díaz, 1996;Rodrigues and Flechtmann, 1997;Silveira et al, 2006;Vaz-de-Mello and Génier, 2009;Favila et al, 2012;Halffter et al, 2013;Cantil et al, 2014b;González-Vainer, 2015;Martín et al, 2021). In C. cyanellus and C. quiquemaculatus, the male exhibits this behavior in a nest where a female is already present (Bellés and Favila, 1983;Cantil et al, 2014b).…”

“…Another necrophagous roller species that is an opportunistic predator is Canthon chalybeus, which preys on the snail Bulimulus apodemetes d'Orbigny (Martín et al, 2021). Males and females can kill a healthy snail, cut its shell, and roll its body into a ball.…”

Morphometric changes on dung beetle Dichotomius problematicus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) related to conversion of forest into grassland: A case of study in the Ecuadorian Amazonia

“…Behavioral traits can also be important. Examples include diurnal and nocturnal activity, predatory behavior (Larsen et al, 2009 ; Hernández et al, 2011 ; Martín et al, 2021 ), or dung processing behavior (Milotić et al, 2019 ). Phenological traits like the effects of seasons in the abundance or life cycles (Lobo & Cuesta, 2021 ; Daoudi et al, 2022 ; Martínez et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Phenological traits like the effects of seasons in the abundance or life cycles (Lobo & Cuesta, 2021 ; Daoudi et al, 2022 ; Martínez et al, 2022 ). Chemical traits, for instance, chemical attracts that signal predators (Goolsby et al, 2017 ; Martín et al, 2021 ). These measures and comprehension of trait diversity help us to understand and evaluate the ecosystem functioning (processes and services) and can be applied to improve decision‐making for conservation and ecosystem restoration (Cadotte et al, 2011 ; Gagic et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Behavioral traits can also be important. Examples include diurnal and nocturnal activity, predatory behavior (Larsen et al, 2009;Hernández et al, 2011;Martín et al, 2021), or dung processing behavior (Milotić et al, 2019).…”