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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