Patterns of alimentary resource use by dung beetles in introduced Brazilian pastures: Cattle versus sheep dung

Abstract

AbstractDung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) perform essential ecological functions in pastures, such as dung removal, nutrient recycling and parasite control. However, the patterns of alimentary use by dung beetles in introduced Brazilian pastures are poorly known. Here, we compared dung beetle species richness, abundance and species composition in cattle and sheep dung, and identified the dung beetle species preference by each dung type. In January 2019, dung beetles were sampled with pitfall traps baited with cattle and sheep dung in 12 introduced pastures (Urochloa spp.), in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. A total of 592 individuals belonging to 14 species of dung beetles were collected. Of the 14 species sampled, nine were recorded in both dung types, five were found exclusively in sheep dung and no species was exclusive to cattle dung. Species richness and abundance were higher in sheep dung. Species composition was different between the dung types. Dichotomius bos (Blanchard), Genieridium bidens (Balthasar), Onthophagus aeneus Blanchard and Trichillum externepunctatum Preudhomme de Borre were associated with sheep dung. Our results provide evidence that sheep dung is more attractive to dung beetles with a distinct community species between the two dung types, although the studied pastures have never been used before for sheep breeding. Thus, our data shows that the introduction of a new alimentary resource (e.g. sheep dung) can be an important strategy to help to obtain a more diverse dung beetle assemblage in introduced Brazilian pastures.