Major species of the dung beetles (Superfamily: Scarabaeoidea) in three ecological systems in western Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Members of the dung beetles superfamily Scarabaeiodea (families: Scarabaeidae and Aphodiidae) represent a major part of the ground‐dwelling fauna in a natural (fallow) and two agroecosystems in Western Saudi Arabia. The most abundant species include Pentodon algerinum Herbst and Aphodius assectora Balth. during the main activity period October‐May. Statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the population density of both species between the three ecosystems under investigation. A pronounced peak of P. algerinum observed during November in the vegetable agroecosystem whereas a sharp peak observed during March in the natural (fallow) ecosystem. A. assectora was the dominant species with a sharp peak during February‐April in the vegetable agroecosystem which might be attributed to the abundance of decaying organic matter that resulted from crop harvesting. P. algerinum is active during early and late seasons October‐December and February‐April in the vegetable agroecosystem and natural (fallow) ecosystem respectively, whereas A. assectora is active during late season, February‐April in the vegetable agroecosystem. Low population numbers of both species were recorded in the datepalm agroecosystem which might be attributed to the predatory pressure exerted by residents of both Avian and vertebrate predators having continued presence and feeding on a high protein diet of immature and adult stages of both beetles.