Dung-beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae, Scarabaeinae) feeding on faeces of steppe marmots Marmota bobak (Rodentia, Sciuridae) in Middle Volga territory
Citation
Akhmetova L (2024). Dung-beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae, Scarabaeinae) feeding on faeces of steppe marmots Marmota bobak (Rodentia, Sciuridae) in Middle Volga territory. Biodiversity Data Journal. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.12.e125090 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-15.Description
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.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 (Marmota bobak (Müller, 1776)) faeces were collected from six localities. Twenty eight species of two subfamilies – Aphodiinae and Scarabaeinae, - were identified with the majority of species belonging the genus Aphodius Hellwig, 1798. Seven species are recorded as consumers of marmot faeces for the first time. Only two nidicolous specialist species were found which suggests that the studied population of steppe marmots is as result of the recent secondary colonisation and not all the associated scarab beetle faunas were re-established.Taxonomic Coverages
Geographic Coverages
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Lilia Akhmetovaoriginator
position: Dr
Zoological Institute RAS
Saint-Petersburg
RU
email: akhmetova@scarabaeoidea.com
Lilia Akhmetova
metadata author
position: Dr
Zoological Institute RAS
Saint-Petersburg
RU
email: akhmetova@scarabaeoidea.com
Lilia Akhmetova
administrative point of contact
position: Dr
Zoological Institute RAS
Saint-Petersburg
RU
email: akhmetova@scarabaeoidea.com