Nutritional and metabolic process of the dung beetle Phelotrupes auratus depends on the plant ingredients that the herbivores eat.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The dung beetle Phelotrupes auratus is a holometabolous insect belonging to the order Coleoptera, and it is widely distributed in Japan. The P. auratus habitat depends on herbivores. P. auratus eats the dung of the herbivores and carries it underground for its young. In this process, herbivore droppings disappear from the ground, not only keeping the ground hygienic but also maintaining good soil conditions for plant growth. In this way, a rich ecosystem is maintained. In recent years, the population of P. auratus has decreased, and the main cause has been the decrease in grazing land. It seems that Japanese dung beetles are mainly dependent on herbivores for nutrient sources. However, the physiological relationship between herbivores and P. auratus has not been well inv

SUBMITTER: Sakamoto T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9655807 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature