The non-indigenous dung beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) can effectively reproduce using the dung of indigenous eastern North American mammals
Non-indigenous dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) species in North America are important contributors to ecosystem functions, particularly in pasture-based livestock systems. Despite the significant body of research surrounding non-indigenous (and often invasive) dung beetles in agricultural co...
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PeerJ Inc.
2025-01-01
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| author | Alexe Indigo Katelyn Stokes Olivia Burchell Paul Manning |
| author_facet | Alexe Indigo Katelyn Stokes Olivia Burchell Paul Manning |
| author_sort | Alexe Indigo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Non-indigenous dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) species in North America are important contributors to ecosystem functions, particularly in pasture-based livestock systems. Despite the significant body of research surrounding non-indigenous (and often invasive) dung beetles in agricultural contexts, there has been minimal study concerning the impact that these species may have on indigenous dung beetle populations in natural environments. Here we examine the possible impact of the introduced dung beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on indigenous dung beetle populations via use of indigenous mammal dung. Using a controlled laboratory experiment, we quantified how readily beetles could use dung from bobcat (Lynx rufus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), moose (Alces alces), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and domestic sheep (Ovis aries). To determine the suitability of each dung type for reproduction, we measured offspring abundance and fitness. While the number of developed offspring was significantly different among treatments, offspring fitness did not vary significantly across dung types. Our results demonstrate the generalist feeding habits of the non-indigenous dung beetle O. nuchicornis can allow this species to use the dung of various wild animals indigenous to eastern North America. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-9b77595f767241f4b817cf3d738b06b42025-01-05T15:05:09ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592025-01-0113e1867410.7717/peerj.18674The non-indigenous dung beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) can effectively reproduce using the dung of indigenous eastern North American mammalsAlexe Indigo0Katelyn Stokes1Olivia Burchell2Paul Manning3Department of Plant, Food and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, CanadaDepartment of Plant, Food and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, CanadaDepartment of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, CanadaDepartment of Plant, Food and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, CanadaNon-indigenous dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) species in North America are important contributors to ecosystem functions, particularly in pasture-based livestock systems. Despite the significant body of research surrounding non-indigenous (and often invasive) dung beetles in agricultural contexts, there has been minimal study concerning the impact that these species may have on indigenous dung beetle populations in natural environments. Here we examine the possible impact of the introduced dung beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on indigenous dung beetle populations via use of indigenous mammal dung. Using a controlled laboratory experiment, we quantified how readily beetles could use dung from bobcat (Lynx rufus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), moose (Alces alces), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and domestic sheep (Ovis aries). To determine the suitability of each dung type for reproduction, we measured offspring abundance and fitness. While the number of developed offspring was significantly different among treatments, offspring fitness did not vary significantly across dung types. Our results demonstrate the generalist feeding habits of the non-indigenous dung beetle O. nuchicornis can allow this species to use the dung of various wild animals indigenous to eastern North America.https://peerj.com/articles/18674.pdfColeopteraDung beetleInvasiveIndigenous speciesDungReproduction |
| spellingShingle | Alexe Indigo Katelyn Stokes Olivia Burchell Paul Manning The non-indigenous dung beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) can effectively reproduce using the dung of indigenous eastern North American mammals PeerJ Coleoptera Dung beetle Invasive Indigenous species Dung Reproduction |
| title | The non-indigenous dung beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) can effectively reproduce using the dung of indigenous eastern North American mammals |
| title_full | The non-indigenous dung beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) can effectively reproduce using the dung of indigenous eastern North American mammals |
| title_fullStr | The non-indigenous dung beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) can effectively reproduce using the dung of indigenous eastern North American mammals |
| title_full_unstemmed | The non-indigenous dung beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) can effectively reproduce using the dung of indigenous eastern North American mammals |
| title_short | The non-indigenous dung beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) can effectively reproduce using the dung of indigenous eastern North American mammals |
| title_sort | non indigenous dung beetle onthophagus nuchicornis can effectively reproduce using the dung of indigenous eastern north american mammals |
| topic | Coleoptera Dung beetle Invasive Indigenous species Dung Reproduction |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/18674.pdf |
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