What Can an Invasive Dung Beetle Tell Us About Niche Conservatism?

Medina, Anderson Matos

doi:10.1093/ee/nvw092

Cited by 4 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The invasive dung beetle species are reported from every continent, except Antarctica, and they have expanded their distribution beyond their native range (Barbero & López-Guerrero, 1992;Lobo & Davis, 1999;Pablo-Cea et al, 2017;Rossini, Vaz-de-Mello & Zunino, 2016;Silva et al, 2016). The distribution range expansion by invasive species has blurred the distinctiveness of dung beetle biogeography (Floate et al, 2017;Medina, 2016;Silva et al, 2016).…”

Section: Attributes Of Invasion and Invasive Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Out of those species actively dispersing, four dung beetle species namely– Digitonthophagus gazella (Fabricius) Onthophagus taurus Schereber, Euoniticellus intermedius (Reiche), and Aphodius fimetarius (Linnaeus) are continuously spreading to every continent on Earth, except Antarctica ( Filho et al, 2018 ; Floate et al, 2017 ; Kryger et al, 2006 ; Miraldo et al, 2014 ). These dung beetle species are explosive in terms of multiplication, spread, competition and abundance and have expanded their distributions, and reported being invasive ( Bertone et al, 2005 ; Bornemissza, 1976 ; Bornemissza, 1979 ; De Oca & Halffter, 1998 ; Filho et al, 2018 ; Floate et al, 2017 ; Medina, 2016 ; Silva et al, 2016 ; Stebnicka, 2009 ).…”

Section: Invasive Dung Beetle Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Digitonthophagus gazella is one of the most widely reported invasive dung beetle species in the world ( De Oca & Halffter, 1998 ; Filho et al, 2018 ; Genier & Davis, 2017 ; Kohlmann, 1994 ; Medina, 2016 ; Vidaurre, Noriega & Ledezma, 2008 ). Its invasion has reduced native dung beetle diversity by some 40% during a period of 26 years in areas of Brazil ( Filho et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Invasive Dung Beetle Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dung beetle species introductions: when an ecosystem service provider transforms into an invasive species

Pokhrel

Cairns

Andrew

2020

PeerJ

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Dung beetle introduction programmes were designed to accelerate exotic livestock dung degradation and to control dung breeding pestiferous flies and livestock parasites. The introduction programmes provided exotic dung beetle species with an opportunity to cross natural barriers and spread beyond their native range. There are no reports that explain what probable adaptation mechanisms enable particular dung beetle species to be the most successful invader. Here we identify the morphological, biological, physiological, ecological and behavioural attributes of the four most widespread and successful dung beetle species in introduced areas on a global scale in relation to the assumption that these species are different from other exotic and native dung beetles. We have recognised Digitonthophagus gazella (Fabricius), Onthophagus taurus (Schreber), Euoniticellus intermedius (Reiche) and Aphodius fimetarius (Linnaeus) as the most successful invaders based on their spread, predominance, distribution range and the reports of invasion. Each of these four species has different natural history traits that increase their fitness making them successful invaders. D. gazella has high fecundity and spreading ability, can instantly locate and colonise fresh and nutritious dung, and has a broad thermal window. O. taurus has morphological plasticity, high fecundity, high brood survival rate due to bi-parenting, and is adapted to extreme thermal and moisture conditions. E. intermedius has remnant-dung feeding abilities, a wide thermal window, functioning best at upper-temperature levels, and successful breeding and survival abilities at extremely low soil moisture conditions. A. fimetarius is small-sized, has high breeding and dispersal abilities, and is adapted to lower thermal and upper moisture extremes and variable soil conditions. Discussed here are perspectives on adaptive attributes of dung beetle species that are important to consider during their selection for redistributions. We have elaborated on the fitness and success characteristics of the four species individually. Further, we recommend a prior-introduction baseline monitoring of native dung beetle assemblages so as to evaluate the future impact of exotic dung beetle introductions on the recipient ecosystem.

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Section: Attributes Of Invasion and Invasive Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Invasive Dung Beetle Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Invasive Dung Beetle Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dung beetle species introductions: when an ecosystem service provider transforms into an invasive species

Pokhrel

Cairns

Andrew

2020

PeerJ

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“…Using incomplete or erroneous data that do not correspond to the native range, incorrect localities, or mistaken data because of a poor taxonomic classification could generate incorrect estimations of distribution ranges. For example, using the data of other species that were included erroneously in the ‘ D. gazella ’ complex (Génier & Moretto, 2017) could generate a lot of noise, as it happens in the study of Medina (2016).…”

Section: Caveats and Future Prospectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, their model indicated discrepancies between the species’ predicted and actual Australian distributions. Medina (2016) compared climatic parameters from D. gazella ’s native range with that of its global invaded range. The author’s results showed a high degree of overlap between the two sets of parameters, suggesting that the climatic niche of the species is stable between native and invaded regions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global distribution patterns provide evidence of niche shift by the introduced African dung beetle Digitonthophagus gazella

Noriega¹,

Floate

Génier

et al. 2020

Entomologia Exp Applicata

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The establishment of cattle ranches throughout the world has prompted the release of dung beetles as biological control agents that reduce pasture fouling and control dung‐breeding flies. One of these beetles, Digitonthophagus gazella (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), that is native to southeast Africa, has been introduced into the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand. Distribution records for this species have been used to develop climate models of potential future establishment. Recent studies, however, identify D. gazella as a complex of seven species. Taking into account this revision, and the clear identification of the records belonging to the actual D. gazella, we developed environmental models to identify factors that have contributed to the establishment of this species across regions and habitats. We compared the environmental conditions of D. gazella in its native range against those in the regions where the species has or has not established. Our results indicate that D. gazella is still absent in certain parts of Central and South America and parts of Africa where it could potentially establish. We speculate that its distribution in Africa is limited by competitive exclusion. The introduction of D. gazella in America is relatively recent, such that the full extent of its distribution has probably yet to be realized. In Australia and North America, D. gazella is present in regions not predicted according to its native environmental conditions. This discrepancy may reflect a lack of competitive exclusion, phenotypic plasticity, and/or genetic adaptation. Our analyses suggest that the species has the ability to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions that are extremely different from those in their native region. The species represents a useful case study to indicate that an introduced species may expand its realized niche beyond what is expected based on apparent environmental limits in the species native range.

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A Review of Dung Beetle Introductions in the Antipodes and North America: Status, Opportunities, and Challenges

Pokhrel

Cairns

Hemmings

et al. 2021

Environmental Entomology

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Following the introduction of cattle, exotic dung beetles (Coleoptera: Aphodiidae, Geotrupidae, Scarabaeidae) were imported into the Antipodes (Australia and New Zealand) and North America (primarily the United States) to accelerate the degradation of cattle dung on pastures. The history of dung beetle introductions between the two regions is similar but has not previously been assessed: this is important as new introductions are continuing in the regions. Here, we review these introduction programs, report on their current status, and discuss methodological advances. In doing so, we examine the accidental introduction of exotic (i.e., adventive) species and the contribution of both deliberately introduced and adventive species to endemic dung beetle faunas. Further, we provide a list of pest and parasite species whose populations can be reduced by dung beetle activity. We also identify a combined total of 37 introduced and 47 adventive dung beetle species that have become established in the Antipodes and North America, with exotic species dominating dung beetle assemblages from pasture habitats. Climatic and edaphic matches, the size of founding populations, abiotic and biotic stressors, and the time of year when releases are made are all critical determinants that affect the success of dung beetle introduction programs. Finally, we discuss opportunities, plus the risks and challenges associated with dung beetle introductions. We hope that this review will aid in the success of future introduction programs, either to enhance ecosystem services in areas that they are needed, or potentially to reestablish native species in regions where they have been extirpated.

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What Can an Invasive Dung Beetle Tell Us About Niche Conservatism?

Cited by 4 publications

References 32 publications

Dung beetle species introductions: when an ecosystem service provider transforms into an invasive species

Dung beetle species introductions: when an ecosystem service provider transforms into an invasive species

Global distribution patterns provide evidence of niche shift by the introduced African dung beetle Digitonthophagus gazella

A Review of Dung Beetle Introductions in the Antipodes and North America: Status, Opportunities, and Challenges

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