insects

Scarab Beetles (by etee on Flickr)

3 ay önce

239

colorsoffauna:

Oxysternon conspicillatum, male (by Robert in Colombia on Flickr)

Oxysternon conspicillatum Scarabaeidae dung beetle Scarabaeinae male

3 ay önce

colorsoffauna

198

ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS OF DUNG BEETLES

In terrestrial ecosystems, insects contribute significantly to the ecological processes of nutrient cycling, bioturbation, pollination and seed dispersal (Nichols et al. 2008). Dung beetles of the subfamily Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) fulfil these and other vitally important functions in many different ecosystems, especially in tropical savannas and forests (Hanski and Cambefort 1991e). Through their dung consumption and relocation activities, dung beetles are involved in the ecological functions of parasite suppression, secondary seed dispersal, nutrient cycling and bioturbation (Andresen 2001, 2003; Losey and Vaughan 2006; Nichols et al. 2008; Shepherd and Chapman 1998; Stokstad 2004; Waterhouse 1974). Furthermore, dung beetles may also function as pollinators (Ratcliffe 1970). One dung beetle species, Canthon virens (misidentified as C. dives sensu Borgmeier 1937), fulfills another ecological function by predating on leaf-cutter ants (Atta sp.) and thus potentially regulating the population dynamics of one of the principal herbivores of the Neotropics (Nichols et al. 2008).

EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF DUNG BEETLES; 2009; by CLARKE H. SCHOLTZ, ADRIAN L.V. DAVIS & UTE KRYGER page: 389-390

(PHOTO: Canthon aberrans by Bigal River Conservation Project on Flickr)

Scarabaeidae Scarabaeinae dung beetle ecology importance ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS

3 ay önce

22

My new book :)

Ecology and Evolution of Dung Beetles dung beetle evolution ecology Scarabaeinae book

3 ay önce

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Onthophagus granulatus (by Savina Hopkins on Flickr)

* Dung Beetle

beetles Onthophagus granulatus Onthophagus dung beetle Scarabaeidae Scarabaeinae art drawing illustration picture

3 ay önce

5

Euoniticellus intermedius (by Savina Hopkins on Flickr)

* Dung Beetle

beetles Euoniticellus intermedius Euoniticellus dung beetle Scarabaeidae Scarabaeinae drawing art illustration

3 ay önce

9

Aphodius fimetarius (by Savina Hopkins on Flickr)

* Dung Beetle

beetles Aphodius fimetarius Aphodius dung beetle aphodiinae drawing illustration art picture

3 ay önce

9

Onitis alexis (by Savina Hopkins on Flickr)

* Dung Beetle

beetles Onitis alexis female drawing illustration Scarabaeidae Scarabaeinae dung beetle Onitis

3 ay önce

133

Sulcophanaeus imperator imperator (Chevrolat, 1844) male (by urjsa on Flickr)

* Dung Beetle

Argentinia Argentinien Beetle Coleoptera Insect Käfer Scarabaeidae Sulcophanaeus Sulcophaneus imperator Sulcophanaeus imperator imperator Scarabaeinae dung beetle

4 ay önce

48

Oxysternon conspicillatum Major Male (by Robyn Waayers on Flickr)

Date: February 15-17, 1996
Location: Bolivia

beetle beetles conspicillatum oxysternon Oxysternon conspicillatum Scarabaeidae Scarabaeinae dung beetle

4 ay önce

30

$Onthophagus fracticornis (Preyssler, 1790) (by andrea hallgass on Flickr) * Dung beetle$

Onthophagus fracticornis (Preyssler, 1790) (by andrea hallgass on Flickr)

* Dung beetle

Onthophagus coleoptera fracticornis insetti macro Onthophagus fracticornis dung beetle Scarabaeidae Scarabaeinae

4 ay önce

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Onthophagus taurus ♂ (Schreber, 1759) (by andrea hallgass on Flickr)

*Dung beetle

Onthophagus coleoptera insetti macro taurus Onthophagus taurus male Onthophagus taurus dung beetle Scarabaeidae Scarabaeinae

4 ay önce

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Scientists determine that dung beetles dance on dung balls to orientate themselves

Scientists recently conducted experiments to determine why dung beetles dance on top of the dung balls they make before rolling them away. Dung beetles roll their dung beetles in a straight path away from the pile of dung after they have made them. Researchers say this straight-line orientation helps dung beetles avoid having their dung balls stolen by other dung beetles. Here is a video of a dung beetle dancing and then rolling the dung ball away.

In a research paper published in PLoS One, scientists hypothesize that the dung beetle dance is a “visually mediated mechanism that facilitates straight-line orientation in ball-rolling dung beetles by allowing them to 1) establish a roll bearing and 2) return to this chosen bearing after experiencing a disturbance to the roll path.”

The researchers, led by Emily Baird of Lund University in Sweden, conducted several experiments on a farm in North-West Province, South Africa to determine why dung beetles dance on dung balls. The experiments involved letting the beetles roll dung balls into tunnels and then turning the tunnels, introducing obstacles in the tunnels or using semi-circular experimental tunnels to force the beetles off course. The researchers found that beetles would typically stop and dance on their dung balls when presented with course changes or obstacles. This suggests that the dance helps the beetles reorient themselves and stay on course.