Effect of land use transformation on dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) taxonomic diversity in a forested-matrix landscape of Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract

The conversion of tropical forests into anthropogenic habitats changes the environmental quality, affecting the structure of ecological assemblages. By the assessment of alpha taxonomic diversity, key information on ecosystem stability and resilience can be provided regarding the conversion of natural habitats to anthropogenic ones. This study analyzed the effects of land use change in agricultural landscapes on dung beetle assemblages in the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico). The species composition (species distribution and its abundances) and taxonomic diversity (Hill numbers) of dung beetles were estimated in five habitats: seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTF), tree plantation, moringa, banana, and mango plantations. A total of 5,607 dung beetles belonging to 17 species were recorded. The species richness did not differ among the habitat types, however SDTF had a lower number of abundant species compared to tree and mango plantations. Also, SDTF and mango plantations had fewer dominant species compared to the other habitats. The high dung beetle diversity in all studied habitats indicates that the plantations and conserved SDTF may be acting synergistically to sustain dung beetle gamma diversity.

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