Predation on Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): A Literature Review
2015
Young, O. P. (Orrey P.)
Several reviews of dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) behavior and ecology, as well as numerous research reports, have either implicitely or explicitely indicated that predation on dung scarabs is rare or absent and thus of minimal or no importance to the biology of the group. This review presents 610 records of predation on dung beetles by 409 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians from around the world. The involvement of invertebrates as predators on dung scarabs is also documented. It is concluded that this data establishes predation as a potentially major factor in the evolution and current behavior and ecology of dung beetles. The data presented also represents a considerable underestimation of predation on the group.
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