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Abstract

Mammalian dung represents a primary feeding and reproductive resource for most dung beetle species. Competition for the trophic resource is common among the subfamily Scarabaeinae showing different habits depending on the quantity and quality of food available. In this study, we evaluated the dung of six species of mammal native to Chiapas (Mexico) as attractants for sampling dung beetles. The six species have different feeding habits (carnivores, herbivores and omnivores) and the feces used were obtained from Zoo animals fed a standard diet. Sampling efficiency was over 99% for each of the attractants. Tapirus bairdii feces attracted the highest abundance, while Canis latrans attracted the highest richness and diversity was higher in Procyon lotor. The captured species showed no affinity for a specific attractant, and differences in richness, abundance, diversity, and species composition between baits were largely non-significant. These results suggest that when food availability is high, Scarabaeinae assemblages maintain very abundant populations with generalists feeding habits. However, other aspects such as the quality and quantity (volume) of the food may be important when choosing a resource. Hence, the use of different types of attractants that meet these characteristics offers the possibility of improving results in the monitoring of dung beetle communities in tropical forests, allowing the capture of those inconspicuous or rare species that inhabit the landscape.

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