Dung-beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae, Scarabaeinae) feeding on faeces of steppe marmots Marmotabobak (Rodentia, Sciuridae) in Middle Volga territory.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In open terrestrial biomes of Holarctic realm, ground squirrels are recognised as keystone species inhabiting steppes. They shape the plant species composition and diversity and support a fauna of species associated with their burrows. Ground squirrels and associated dung-beetles are important elements of the steppe food webs, yet the trophic associations between species are still poorly studied.

New information

The area in the northern outskirts of Obshchy Syrt plateau, on the border of Samara and Orenburg Provinces of Russia was surveyed and scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae) feeding on steppe marmot (Marmotabobak (Müller, 1776)) faeces were collected from six localities. Twenty eight species of two subfamilies - Aphodiinae and Scarabaeinae, - were identified

SUBMITTER: Akhmetova LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11199958 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature