Preliminary survey of dung beetle diversity in Krau Wildlife Reserve, Pahang, Malaysia

Thary, Gazi Goh (2014) Preliminary survey of dung beetle diversity in Krau Wildlife Reserve, Pahang, Malaysia. [Journal / Magazine]

PDF 14 PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF DUNG BEETLE DIVERSITY IN KUALA KRAU WILDLIFE RESERVE.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (765kB)

Abstract

A preliminary survey of dung beetle diversity was conducted in the area surrounding the Kuala Lompat Field Station in the Krau Wildlife Reserve. Pitfall traps baited with rotten fish, human dung and dead millipedes were placed along the main trial for 24 hours. Rat carcasses were also placed along the trail to observe the succession pattern of dung beetles on small mammal carcasses in the rainforest. A total of 236 individuals from 20 species were captured in the 4.5 day sampling period. The species accumulation curve did not reach the asymptote, indicating that more intensive sampling is required for a conclusive study of dung beetle fauna in this location. As with other rainforests surveyed, Onthophagus semifex was the dominant species. Large rollers such as Paragymnopleurus were more common than large tunnelers, which were composed of only Synapsis and Copris species. Dung beetles were most attracted to carcasses in the decay stage, although some arrived at the fresh carcass. Some beetles were attracted to dead millipedes in spite the presence of other bait types, possibly some species have adapted to exploiting this resource.

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