Geotrupes Stercorarius Research Articles

Substantiation of the parameters of the working bodies of undulating disks of soil-cultivating harrows with a bionic approach

The article presents the methods and results of the bionic approach in the system of agricultural mechanics, which made it possible to theoretically substantiate the main parameters of the model of the working organs of wavy discs using two bionic prototypes - the burrowing leg and radial ribs of the bivalve shell of the edible heart-shaped mollusk (Cerastoderma edule) and the burrowing leg of the dung beetle common (Geotrupes stercorarius). The model of the working bodies of undulating disks allows one to preserve the anti-erosion resistance of the soil in the upper cultivated layer in order to preserve its structure and stubble background during non-moldboard tillage in the soil-protective agriculture system for the technologies “Verti-till” and “Strip-till”. The results of theoretical studies on the substantiation of the design parameters of the working bodies of wavy discs for surface tillage are presented.

Methodology for designing tillage working bodies of a stubble cultivator-flat-cutter based on agricultural biomechanics

The article presents an engineering design technique based on agricultural biomechanics. This technique made it possible to theoretically substantiate the main parameters of the model of the working bodies of the cultivator-flat-cutter for tillage on the stubble using two bionic prototypes - the fan-shaped jaw of the scarab beetle (Scarabaeus) and the burrowing foot of the common dung beetle (Geotrupes stercorarius). The model of the working body of the cultivator-flat-cutter allows you to preserve the top stubble and ensure the anti-erosion resistance of the soil in the soil-protective agriculture system for the “Mini-till” technology. The results of experimental studies are presented, confirming the decrease in the traction resistance of the proposed models of the working bodies of the cultivator of the flat cutter for processing on the stubble with the preservation of its structure in the upper soil layer.

Integrating thermal tolerance, water balance and morphology: An experimental study on dung beetles.

The impacts of extreme and rising mean temperatures due to climate change can pose significant physiological challenges for insects. An integrated approach that focuses on mechanisms of body temperature regulation, water balance and morphology may help to unravel the functional traits underpinning thermoregulation strategies and the most relevant trade-offs between temperature and water balance regulation. Here, we focused on four species of tunneler dung beetles as important providers of ecosystem services. In this experimental research, we first quantified two traits related to desiccation resistance and tolerance via experimental tests, and subsequently defined two levels of resistance and tolerance (i.e. low and high) according to significant differences among species. Second, we identified morphological traits correlated with water balance strategies, and we found that desiccation resistance and tolerance increased with small relative size of spiracles and wings. High levels of desiccation tolerance were also correlated with small body mass. Third, by integrating thermal tolerance with functional traits based on desiccation resistance and desiccation tolerance, we found that the species with the highest survival rates under elevated temperatures (Euoniticellus fulvus) was characterized by low desiccation resistance and high desiccation tolerance. Our results suggest shared physiological and morphological responses to temperature and desiccation, with potential conflicts between the need to regulate heat and water balance. They also highlighted the sensitivity of a large species such as Geotrupes stercorarius to warm and arid conditions with potential implications for its geographic distribution and the provisioning of ecosystem services under a climate change scenario.

Justification of parameters of asymmetric flat-cutting paws with a bionic approach

The article presents the methods and results of bionic modeling in agricultural mechanics, which made it possible to substantiate models of the working bodies of asymmetric flat-cutting paws adapted to the soil environment using the simulation of the burrowing foot of the common dung beetle (Geotrupes stercorarius). The solution of problems of improving the shapes of flat-cutting working bodies is proposed on the basis of the use of a mechanic-bionic approach, which allows analytically describe the geometric shape of their blade and rational values of oscillations in the horizontal plane. The experimental model of the working body with asymmetric flat-cutting paws reduces the traction resistance by 8 … 12%, in comparison with the serial model CFA-3.8. This is ensured by the optimal ratio of the working widths of the left and right flat-cutting knives, which ensure the stability of the course in depth and in the horizontal plane with the best agricultural performance.

Видове різноманіття безхребетних (Invertebrata) на маршрутах зоологічної практики студентів у Західній Чорногорі (Українські Карпати)

Since the second half of the 19th century invertebrate fauna of the Carpathians has been studied in detail by numerous scientists. The western branches of the Chornohora massif of the Ukrainian Carpathians has been attractive for the researchers of different groups of invertebrates. However, there is no possibility to evaluate their diversity dynamics in this area due to the lack of generalized comparative long-term data. With regard to that and considering the advantageous localization of the high-mountain biological station of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv as a convenient place for such investigation, the aim of our study was to describe the species diversity of invertebrates in the Western Chornohora for the initiation of stationary research of its dynamics. The material was collected by students according to the standard zoological methods during their field practice trips in July 2015–2019 on seven radial routes in various coenotic conditions and on different sites of the Western Chornohora. 149 species of invertebrate animals from 9 classes were identified in total. Insects considerably predominate among them by the species composition (about 80 %). The most common species of the 14 registered orders of Insecta represent Coleoptera (about 40 %), Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera (15 % each). Some of the invertebrate species were found on several different routes. For example, Gastrophysa viridula , Carabus auronitens , C. glabratus , Geotrupes stercorarius, Silpha carinata, Gordius aquaticus were sampled on three of them. The “Keveliv” route possesses the highest species richness of invertebrates (45 species) being almost twice higher than the average one (26 species), whereas the “Sheshul” route has the lowest richness (17 invertebrate species). The study revealed seven species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine ( Apatura iris , Aromia moschata , Chrysolina carpatica , Cordulegaster bidentata , Emus hirtus , Papilio machaon , Parnassius mnemosyne ), and three ones listed in the Red Data Book of the Ukrainian Carpathians ( Bombus wurflenii , Carabus transsylvanicus , Pieris bryoniae ). The presented findings can be used for the following analysis of invertebrate species diversity changes depending on habitats transformation with the consequent development of efficient biodiversity conservation measures in the Western Chornohora.

Seasonality and habitat preferences of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) attracted to moose Alces alces L. dung in the Kampinos National Park

Abstract Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) are an extremely important element of many ecosystems. Their activity allows the incorporation of mineral compounds trapped in faeces into the nutrient cycle. Seasonality and habitat preferences are the most important factors shaping the beetle communities inhabiting dung. The present study compares beetle communities inhabiting moose dung Alces alces L. in various forest ecosystems quantitatively and qualitatively. Due to the beetle seasonality, field work was performed from the beginning of March until the end of October 2017 in three habitats: coniferous forest, oak-hornbeam forest and alder forest. The dung beetles were collected using three Barber traps on each site baited with moose dung (80 g ± 10 g) and the traps were emptied as well as rebaited every 15 days. Altogether, 2330 specimen of dung beetles representing three species were collected: Anoplotrupes stercorosus (2088), Trypocopris vernalis (154) and Geotrupes stercorarius (88). These three species were found in all of the studied habitats. The largest total number of individuals was captured in the alder forest (1132 individuals), followed by the broadleaved forest (712) and the smallest number was captured in the coniferous forest (486). In terms of individuals caught, each species was statistically significantly different between the habitats. The largest number of A. stercorosus was captured in the alder forest, followed by the broadleaved forest and the smallest number was caught in the coniferous forest. however, the reverse was observed in the case of T. vernalis and G. stercorarius, where the most individuals were caught in the coniferous forest, and fewer in the broadleaved and alder forests. This is most likely due to the various habitat preferences of each individual species. Furthermore, the seasonal dynamics of this beetle family showed some differences between habitats. These differences most probably resulted from different microclimatic and humidity conditions.

The influence of the topography and physico-chemical properties of the cuticle surface on the wettability and adhesive properties of the elytra of the dung beetle Geotrupes stercorarius (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)

The elytral surface of dung beetles is generally accepted to be self-cleaning due to its anti-adhesive properties. In this article, the wettability and adhesive properties of elytral surface (intact and treated with Acetone and Ethanol) of the beetle Geotrupes stercorarius were characterized. Since these properties are influenced by the surface structure and chemistry, the micro- and nanostructure of the elytra were observed using scanning electron microscopy and the surface roughness were estimated with white light interferometery, whereas the water contact angle and adhesion force of the elytra were evaluated using contact angle measurement device and force transducer, respectively. The results show that the microstructure of the elytra changed greatly after different chemical treatments and the changes in wettability were mainly related to the changes of elytra roughness after treatments. The differences in adhesion force between differently treated elytra and wet sand indicate that the molecular polarity of the elytral surface is decisive for its anti-adhesive (self-cleaning) property.

Isolation and Characterisation of 15 Microsatellite Loci fromLethrus apterus(Coleoptera: Geotrupidae)

Fifteen new microsatellite markers for the beetle Lethrus apterus were developed and tested in 45 specimens from the North Hungarian Mountains. Fourteen of the markers developed were polymorphic, and the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to nine. The observed and expected heterozygosities of the polymorphic markers ranged from 0.178 to 0.578, and 0.201 to 0.698, respectively. One locus showed significant deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, probably due to null alleles. The primers were tested on four other Lethrus species (L. bituberculatus, L. scoparius, L. strymonensis and L. perun) and six other coleopteran species (Copris hispanus, Geotrupes stercorarius, Melolontha melolontha, Onthophagus taurus, Oryctes nasicornis and Protaetia affinis). Thirteen loci showed cross-amplification in the Lethrus species and only three loci could be amplified in some of the six other coleopteran species. The developed markers will be valuable in investigating the population genetic structure, behaviour and reproductive biology of L. apterus.

Coprophagous beetle community (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae, Hydrophilidae) in two cattle pastures in South Bohemia

Abstract Simultaneous monitoring of coprophagous beetles was carried out using baited pitfall traps in mountain pastures at Jenín and Pasečná in the southern part of the Czech Republic. In total, 5,787 specimens of 31 species were collected in six one-week sampling trials carried out during 2011-2013. Little difference was found between the pastures in the total abundance of the collected material (8%) and in the diversity (Shannon’s index of diversity, Z = 1.78, P = 0.07). Considerable differences were found in the abundance of several species: Aphodius sphacelatus (Panzer 1798) and Aphodius erraticus (Linnaeus 1758) were more abundant at Jenín (by 85 and 98%, respectively), while Onthophagus fracticornis (Preyssler 1790), Anoplotrupes stercorosus (Hartmann in L. G. Scriba 1791), Geotrupes stercorarius (Linnaeus, 1758), and Aphodius depressus (Kugelann 1792) were more abundant at Pasečná (by 89%, 95% 100% and 100%, respectively). Due to their tunnelling breeding activity in soil beneath animal droppings, O. fracticornis and G. stercorarius may provide valuable ecosystem services in Pasečná pasture, mainly bioturbation and soil fertilisation.

A new species and new records of mites of the genus Spatulaphorus Rack (Acari: Heterostigmata: Pygmephoridae) from Ukraine

A new species of mites of the genus Spatulaphorus Rack, 1993 is described from dung beetles Geotrupes mutator (Marsham, 1802) from northern Ukraine. Spatulaphorus gorganica Rahiminejad & Hajiqanbar, 2011 is recorded for the first time in Ukraine from Geotrupes stercorarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (new phoretic host). Spatulaphorus vladimiri Khaustov, 2005 is recorded for the first time in Crimea from G. stercorarius and from eastern Ukraine from Geotrupes spiniger (Marsham, 1802) (new phoretic host). Spatulaphorus geotruporum Khaustov, 2005 is recorded from Ceratophyus polyceros (Pallas, 1771) (new phoretic host) from southern Ukraine. Spatulaphorus copridis Khaustov, 2007 is recorded for the first time from southern Ukraine from Copris hispanus (Linnaeus, 1764) (new phoretic host). Keys to the genera of Pygmephoridae phoretic on dung beetles of the superfamily Scarabaeoidea and to world species of the genus Spatulaphorus are provided.

Habitat fragmentation and the functional efficiency of temperate dung beetles

To understand how current patterns of habitat loss and fragmentation will ultimately affect ecosystem functioning, we need to match experimental manipulations of community structure with real changes occurring in the landscapes of today. In this study, we examine the consequences of habitat fragmentation on a key function: the decomposition of dung by invertebrates. In a microcosm experiment, we use previous observations of dung beetle assemblage structure in fragmented and intact landscapes to create realistic differences in assemblages of small, dung‐dwelling species in the genus Aphodius. We ask whether such differences will affect ecosystem functioning, and how their effects compare to those of removing full functional groups: dung‐dwelling Aphodius, tunnelling Geotrupes stercorarius, and/or earthworms. As measured by changes in dung fresh weight, we observe an overriding impact of removing G. stercorarius, with the amount of dung remaining at any one time doubling if the species is excluded. Compared to this major effect, there seem to be less effects of removing Aphodius, ambiguous effects of excluding earthworms, and no detectable effects of relatively minor changes in Aphodius assemblages as induced by current levels of fragmentation. Overall, our results support the general notion that different species contribute highly unevenly to overall ecosystem functioning. Most importantly though, our findings suggest that the functional consequences of habitat loss will depend on taxon‐specific responses to landscape modification. Only by addressing these responses may we predict the actual consequences of habitat loss.

Nanomechanical Behaviours of Cuticle of Three Kinds of Beetle

The surface materials and structures of insect cuticle can provide useful information for designing anti-adhesion components material. Quantitative measurement of mechanical properties of insect cuticle will help to develop biomimetic materials suitable for industrial products. In this work, the mechanical properties, such as the reduced modulus and hardness in nano-scale, of the cuticle of beetle Geotrupes stercorarius Linnaeus, Copris ochus Motschulsky and Holotrichia sichotana Brenske, were investigated by using a nanoindenter. It was found that the reduce modulus and hardness of these three beetles are different. The main cause of the difference of the mechanical properties is probably due to their different living circumstance, lifestyle and different functions of segments.

Frictional characteristics of the beetle head-joint material

Frictional properties of the head part in the beetle head–thorax articulation were studied in two beetle species, Pachnoda marginata and Geotrupes stercorarius (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea). Using the microtribometer, the head part of the joint was brought into contact with the flat glass and slid along a distance of 120 μm. The friction experiment was carried out with two conditions of the head material: fresh and air-dried. The tribosystem, consisting of the sapphire sphere in contact with flat glass, was used for comparison. Frictional coefficient of the joint material on glass was significantly lower than that of the sapphire sphere on glass. The material of the joint cuticle is rather stiff and the surface is hydrophobic (the contact angle of distilled water was 88.3°). It is suggested here that the high stiffness of the joint material and hydrophobicity of the joint surface are parts of the mechanism minimizing friction in insect joints.

Exploring Biological Surfaces by Nanoindentation

With the help of instrumented indentation, the mechanical behavior of a variety of biological systems was studied: the waxy zone of the pitcher plant (Nephenthes alata) adapted for attachment prevention, the head-to-thorax articulation system of a beetle (Pachnoda marginata) as an example of friction minimization, and the wing arresting system of the dung beetle (Geotrupes stercorarius) adapted for mechanical interlocking. We demonstrate that nanoindentation can successfully be applied to compliant and highly structured biological composite materials. Measuring the mechanical performance of these surfaces can provide important information for understanding the overall functioning of these systems. Tests on fresh and dried samples show the influence of desiccation on the results and point out the importance of native conditions during the measurements. However, these preliminary results also point to current limits of the test method and the need for adapting it and current theories to meet the specific requirements of biological materials.

A comparison of reactive robot chemotaxis algorithms

This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of four reactive robot chemotaxis algorithms. If they are applicable, reactive algorithms can provide fast, simple and cost-effective solutions for robot control applications. As part of this evaluation a robot was developed that has sufficient resources to enable it to implement each of the chemotaxis algorithms. The robot has bilateral chemical sensors, an airflow sensor and tactile whiskers to detect obstacles. Chemotaxis algorithms observed in the bacterium E. coli, the silkworm moth Bombyx mori, and the dung beetle Geotrupes stercorarius were tested as well as a gradient-based algorithm. There are many potential applications for chemical sensing robots particularly in situations where animals such as sniffer dogs are currently used. These applications include locating victims of avalanches or earthquakes and detecting landmines. Robotic systems offer a number of benefits compared to the use of animals, including rapid deployment, low maintenance costs and operation for extended periods. Details of the algorithms are given together with typical results obtained using the algorithms in both simulated and practical experiments. The design of the chemical sensing robot and the relative merits and demerits of the different chemotaxis algorithms are also discussed.

Repeated losses of TTAGG telomere repeats in evolution of beetles (Coleoptera).

We studied the occurrence of (TTAGG)n telomere repeats in 12 species of beetles, representing main lineages of the Coleoptera phylogenetic tree, by Southern hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In contrast to other insect orders, beetles were heterogeneous with respect to the occurrence of TTAGG repeats. In addition, the presence or absence of (TTAGG)n motif was irrespective of phylogenetic relationships. In the suborder Polyphaga, six species displayed positive hybridization signals. These were Silpha obscura, Agrilus viridis, Ampedus sanguineus, Stegobium paniceum, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, and Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Whereas negative signals were obtained in three polyphagan species, Geotrupes stercorarius, Thanasimusformicarius, and Sitophilus granarius. In the suborder Adephaga, the TTAGG sequence was present in one species, Graphoderus cinereus, and absent in two species, Orectochilus villosus and Pterostichus oblongopunctatus. We concluded that the telomerase-dependent (TTAGG)n motif had been repeatedly lost in different phylogenetic branches of Coleoptera and probably replaced with another mechanism of telomere elongation. This had to happen at least 5-6 times. The results suggest a predisposition or a backup mechanism of telomere maintenance in the genome of beetles that enabled them to make frequent evolutionary changes in the telomere composition.

Food of the serotine bat, Eptesicus serotinus—is faecal analysis a valid qualitative and quantitative technique?

The diet of Epfesicus serotinus was investigated by faecal analysis and the validity of this technique as a means of obtaining reliable quantitative results was assessed. Knowledge of what the bats eat will allow predictions of which habitats contribute most prey. Three male serotines were kept in captivity during the months of July and August 1991 and fed known quantities of identified insects. With captive E. serotinus the remains of prey appeared within 33 min of first bite and continued to appear for up to 32 h after consumption. Scales from two Noctua pronuba moths consumed were contained in 59 subsequent droppings. Similarly, fragments of three beetles, Geotrupes stercorarius, were contained in 28 subsequent faeces.Analysis of the faeces of free‐living bats revealed insects from seven orders. Coleoptera were found to be present in 96.1% of the droppings examined; the next most frequently found order was Lepidoptera, occurring in 14.7%. The beetles were mostly associated with hay meadows (Aphodius spp. and Melolontha spp.), or grazed pasture (Aphodius spp. and Geotrupes spp.). Quantitative determination of prey eaten is not possible owing to the large number of the droppings shown to contain the remains of marker insects and the long period over which they are produced.

A comparison of adaptations to running, pushing and burrowing in some adult Coleoptera: especially Carabidae

A wide range of compromises between maximum speed attained and pushing force exerted are exhibited by various Coleoptera. Some structural and functional parameters are quoted for two beetles at the extreme ends of this range: the rapid tiger beetle Cicindelu cumpestris and the powerful dung beetle Geotrupes stercorarius. Additionally, maximum sprint speeds and pushing forces were obtained for 105 species selected from 22 families of beetles. To compare the relative speed (uR) and relative force (FR) abilities of different sized species, a simple means of scaling was used in which uR= u/W0'33 (where u is the maximum sprint speed, and W the weight of a beetle) and FR= F/W0'67 (where F is the maximum forçe exerted by the beetle. measured by pulling). The best speed/force adapted species lay along a limiting front where uR a FR and u. F/W.k = 1 (where k is a constant). This gave a measure of the locomotory capability of a beetle in terms of I, the index of speed/force specialization. The specialists exhibited an index close to 1·0, but that of most beetles tested lay between 1·0 and 0·01. The Carabidae was analysed more closely as it contains many locomotor specialists. It was possible to define three structural/functional groups which showed different combinations of running and pushing abilities. The possible evolutionary relationships of these habit groups was discussed, and some speed and force comparisons were made between beetles and some other terrestrial arthropods.