Abstract
Abstract Barrier islands represent unusual and fragile ecosystems, influenced by multiple physical stressors and populated by organisms that are resource and habitat specialists. Dung beetles (Coleoptera) provide essential ecosystem services through the removal of dung from the environment. Their role in the unique environment of a barrier island dominated by a large non-native grazing species has not been widely investigated. Using linear transects of pitfall traps baited with human dung, we examined the species diversity of dung beetles found in three habitats (marsh, dunes, and forest) of Assateague Island, a barrier island off the coast of Maryland and Virginia, USA. Fifteen species (13,626 individuals) were collected. Estimates of species richness suggest there may be an additional 3–6 species on the island that were not sampled in this study. Heterotrophic succession of dung beetles attracted to horse dung was also examined and compared between Assateague Island and mainland horse farms. Observation...
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