Seasonal and Daily Variations in Dung Beetle Assemblages (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Two Contrasting Habitats in Uruguay

Dung beetles play a vital role in the functioning and sustainability of agroecosystems. Temporal niche partitioning facilitates species coexistence minimizing interspecific competition. However, human-induced land changes may disrupt these patterns, altering beetle activity and spatial distribution. This study examines seasonal variations in the abundance and richness of dung beetle assemblages in two distinct habitats in Uruguay: a grazed pasture and a Eucalyptus plantation. The analysis also explores how habitat influences daily flight activity patterns. Results revealed that dung beetle activity followed similar seasonal patterns in both habitats, with significant activity from mid-spring to mid-autumn. Diurnal beetles were more abundant than crepuscular and nocturnal in the pasture but not clearly in the Eucalyptus plantation. Daily activity periods contributed to species segregation in both habitats. We concluded that the daily activity of the species depends on the habitat, which should be considered when designing conservation measures for dung beetles in this region.

Read the full article, published by Zoological Studies, here

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