The scarab beetle subfamily Scarabaeinae consists of species collectively called true dung beetles. Most of the beetles of this subfamily feed exclusively on dung. However, some may feed on decomposing matter including carrion, decaying fruits and fungi. Dung beetles can be placed into three structural guilds based on their method of dung processing namely rollers, dwellers and tunnelers [3] Dung removal and burial by dung beetles result in ecological benefits such as soil aeration and fertilization; improved nutrient cycling and uptake by plants, increase in Pasture quality, biological control of pest flies and intestinal parasites and secondary seed dispersal.[4] Well-known members include the genera Scarabaeus and Sisyphus, and Phanaeus vindex.
Adult dung beetles have modified mouth parts which are adapted to feeding on dung. The clypeus is expanded and covers the mouth parts. The elytra, which cover the wings, expose the pygidium. They also have a space between their middle legs to allow for manipulation of the dung. Dung beetles can be large beetles of a few inches in size to small beetles which are only a few millimeters in size [5]
Dung beetles are classified into groups based on their method of processing the dung. Rollers are beetles that construct balls of dung from the main food source. They roll away this ball from the position of the original food source and use the dung for feeding or for reproduction. Tunnelers are beetles that dig tunnels beneath the food source creating nests. They relocate food into their nest for reproduction and feeding. Lastly, dwellers are beetles that live and reproduce inside the food source rarely creating nests.[3]
Pheromones are thought to aid in dung beetle reproduction. Dung beetles copulate after which both parents dig a tunnel to lay the eggs. This tunnel may have different branches leading to varying egg chambers or may not be branched depending on species. Both parents take dung inside the tunnels in the form of brood balls and the females lay the egg inside the dung. When the larva hatches it feeds on the surrounding dung and forms a pupa undergoing several instars. After this stage the pupa hatches and the newly formed adult evades the tunnel and searches for a fresh dung supply for feeding. After approximately 2 weeks the new adult beetle will be able to reproduce.
Dung beetle communities are dependent on vegetation and presence of mammalian dung resource. In an area with a lot of vegetation, the dung pads are preserved longer for dung beetle utilization. Vegetation provides conditions suitable for vertebrate trafficking allowing more dung presence in the area. In areas with little vegetation, limited vertebrate fauna may be present limiting the types of dung present. Also, with little vegetation the canopy of the forest may be limiting. This causes the dung pads to be exposed to sunlight, higher temperature and wind action. These factors contribute to dung pad desiccation which decreases the period of suitable dung availability. Dung beetles of different groups may respond to changes in vegetation in different ways.[6]
A decline in dung beetle diversity associated with the conversion of native forests to open pastures is known to occur. However, some species are able to utilize dung in open pasture conditions. Tunneler species are able to utilize dung in less optimal condition because the tunnel beneath the dung and utilize it from bottom up. As desiccation occurs on the top of the dung pad, the middle and lower regions may still be suitable for the dung beetle. Also, smaller species are able to survive in such conditions as they require less dung. Larger beetles require larger amounts of dung which may not be available due to the fast desiccation of the dung pads in these conditions. Soil hardness and dryness negatively affect the tunnelers. Species able to tolerate open pasture conditions were extremely abundant. The reduction in the number of dung beetles affected the efficiency of their ecological roles and it was found that dung removal and burial declined. Dung removal and burial by dung beetles result in ecological benefits such as soil aeration and fertilization. These benefits lead to improved nutrient cycling and uptake by plants, increase in pasture quality, biological control of pest flies and intestinal parasites and secondary seed dispersal. Therefore, their role in the ecosystem is essential.[7]
The subfamily is split into about 12 extant tribes.[2][8] These can be grouped by their distribution, though the present classification is expected to require major revision based on recent phylogenetic analyses.[9]
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Copris elphenor female
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Copris elphenor male
The scarab beetle subfamily Scarabaeinae consists of species collectively called true dung beetles. Most of the beetles of this subfamily feed exclusively on dung. However, some may feed on decomposing matter including carrion, decaying fruits and fungi. Dung beetles can be placed into three structural guilds based on their method of dung processing namely rollers, dwellers and tunnelers Dung removal and burial by dung beetles result in ecological benefits such as soil aeration and fertilization; improved nutrient cycling and uptake by plants, increase in Pasture quality, biological control of pest flies and intestinal parasites and secondary seed dispersal. Well-known members include the genera Scarabaeus and Sisyphus, and Phanaeus vindex.
Møkkskarabider (Scarabaeinae) er en stor underfamilie av biller som hører til familien skarabider (Scarabaeidae). Disse billene har larver som utvikler seg i møkk som de graver ned.
Små til store (2–60 mm) biller, tettbygde med kraftige bein, antennene ender i en vifte. Kroppen er kort og bred, de fleste er glatte og svarte eller brunlige på farge. Hos mange arter har hannene påfallende knøler eller horn på hodet. Beina er utviklet til kraftige gravebein, i noen tilfeller mangler føttene på frambeina. Larvene er såkalte scarabaeiforme larver, fete og hvite, mer eller mindre C-formede, med en kraftig hodekapsel, kraftige men ikke spesielt store kjever og tre par korte, kraftige bein.
Disse billene ruller møkk sammen til baller og graver dem ned, ofte ganske dypt, i bakken. Hannen og hunnen samarbeider om dette, men når gangen er ferdig og etter at de har parret seg, flyr hannen bort mens hunnen blir igjen i gangen for å ta seg av larvene som etter hvert klekkes. Hun holder møkkballene frie for rovdyr og uønsket soppvekst til larvene er fullvoksne, noe som gjerne tar flere måneder.
Artene i slektene Scarabaeus og Kheper (ofte kalt pilletrillere på norsk) er store, kraftige biller med skovlformet hode og lange, kraftige bein der framføttene er helt bortredusert. De lever i Sør-Europa og Afrika. Disse billene er kjent for sin rulling av store møkk-kuler. Når billen finner en kuruke eller annen møkk, klemmer den en del av denne sammen til en ball som er noe større enn billen selv. Denne graves dypt ned og tjener som mat for larven. Ballen forsvares energisk mot konkurrerende biller, og harde kamper kan oppstå. Om grunnen der møkka ligger ikke egner seg for graving, kan billen rulle dem en ganske lang strekning. Den går da baklengs og skyver møkkballen med bakbeina. Antikkens egyptere la merke til denne billens energiske arbeid. I den gamle egyptiske mytologien mente man at solen var ein slik ball, som hver dag ble rullet over himmelhvelvingen av en enorm skarabé, guden Kheper. Små skarabé-modeller ble skåret ut i mer eller mindre edle steinslag og brukt som amuletter, blant annet ble de ofte viklet inn i bandasjene rundt mumier, for eksempel på mumiens panne og bryst. Arten Scarabaeus sacer er kjent som den hellige skarabé, men egypternes opprinnelige modell kan like gjerne ha vært en av den metallskinnende artene i slekten Kheper.
Underfamilien blir delt opp i over 250 slekter.
Møkkskarabider (Scarabaeinae) er en stor underfamilie av biller som hører til familien skarabider (Scarabaeidae). Disse billene har larver som utvikler seg i møkk som de graver ned.
Multimedia w Wikimedia Commons Scarabaeinae – podrodzina chrząszczy z podrzędu wielożernych (Polyphaga) i rodziny poświętnikowatych (Scarabaeidae).
Podział Scarabaeinae współcześnie przedstawia się następująco[2]:
Gatunki zaliczane do plemienia Canthonini znajdują się obecnie w Deltochilini[2]
Scarabaeinae – podrodzina chrząszczy z podrzędu wielożernych (Polyphaga) i rodziny poświętnikowatych (Scarabaeidae).
Scarabaeinae là một phân bọ bọ cánh cứng gồm các loài gọi tên chung là bọ hung thật sự. Phần lớn bọ cánh cứng thuộc phân họ này chỉ ăn phân. Các thành viên nổi bật gồm các chi Scarabaeus và Sisyphus, và Phanaeus vindex.
Các tông trong phân họ Scarabaeinae với một số chi và loài chọn lọc gồm:
Coprini, Oniticellini, Onitini, Onthophagini và Phanaeini đôi khi được tách ra phân họ Coprinae.
Scarabaeinae là một phân bọ bọ cánh cứng gồm các loài gọi tên chung là bọ hung thật sự. Phần lớn bọ cánh cứng thuộc phân họ này chỉ ăn phân. Các thành viên nổi bật gồm các chi Scarabaeus và Sisyphus, và Phanaeus vindex.
Скарабеины (лат. Scarabaeinae) — подсемейство пластинчатоусых жуков, насчитывающее более 5 000 видов и описанных в 234-х родах, что составляет около 18 % всех пластинчатоусых. Большее разнообразие скарабеинов в тропиках, среди самых известных видов — Священный скарабей. Передние ноги у некоторых скарабеинов отсутствуют, что и является их характерной чертой.
Ниже приводится список основных триб и родов. Иногда трибы Coprini, Oniticellini, Onitini, Onthophagini и Phanaeini выделяют в отдельное подсемейство Coprinae.
Скарабеины (лат. Scarabaeinae) — подсемейство пластинчатоусых жуков, насчитывающее более 5 000 видов и описанных в 234-х родах, что составляет около 18 % всех пластинчатоусых. Большее разнообразие скарабеинов в тропиках, среди самых известных видов — Священный скарабей. Передние ноги у некоторых скарабеинов отсутствуют, что и является их характерной чертой.
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