The habitat preference of some bovine dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Abstract

The effects of vegetative cover and soil type on the abundance and distribution of 50 species of scarabaeine dung beetle were examined during three successive days in January 1979 in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Pitfall traps baited with bovine dung were set at intervals of 20 m in a transect across a 20–ha patch of grassveld surrounded by Acacia bushveld. One end of the transect was on clay–loam soil and the other on sandy loam. In all, 32 936 specimens were caught, representing 71 species from 22 genera. Thirty–two species were diurnal and 18 were crepuscular or nocturnal. Twenty–six species were more abundant in bushveld than in grassveld, and eight species were more abundant in grassveld than in bushveld. Soil type influenced the relative abundance of 23 species. The degree of habitat specificity varied widely between species. During overcast weather, both bushveld and grassveld species became abundant in the transitional zone between bushveld and grassveld where the light intensity was similar to that in bushveld on a clear day. It is suggested that light intensity is one characteristic by which beetles recognise bushveld and grassveld.

<b>A preliminary study on the dung beetles of the northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India</b>

“…A few studies reported that the local distribution of dung beetles is strongly influenced by vegetation cover and soil type (Nealis 1977;Doube 1983;Janzen 1983). They are ideal bio-indicators for investigating impacts of anthropogenic disturbances to ecosystems.…”

Assessing the diversity of dung beetle assemblages utilizing Japanese monkey feces in cool-temperate forests

“…The diversity of dung beetle species is highly sensitive not only to the availability of feces (as already mentioned) but also to environmental conditions such as vegetation cover type and soil conditions (Neails 1977;Doube 1983). It has been recognized that human-induced habitat disturbance cannot be disregarded in evaluating species diversity in the area concerned (Klein 1989;Davis et al 2001;Halffter and Arellano 2002).…”

Deforestation and biodiversity: effects of bushland cultivation on dung beetles in semi-arid Tanzania

“…Howden and Nealis 1975;Nealis 1977;Doube 1983;Klein 1989;Davis 1996). Specifically, vegetation cover has been highlighted as a very important factor determining dung beetle species richness (e.g.…”