Ecology And Evolution Of Dung Beetles

Author : Leigh W. Simmons,T. James Ridsdill-Smith
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 373 pages
File Size : 43,5 Mb
Release : 2011-03-08
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781444341980

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Ecology and Evolution of Dung Beetles by Leigh W. Simmons,T. James Ridsdill-Smith Pdf

This book describes the evolutionary and ecological consequences of reproductive competition for scarabaeine dung beetles. As well as giving us insight into the private lives of these fascinating creatures, this book shows how dung beetles can be used as model systems for improving our general understanding of broad evolutionary and ecological processes, and how they generate biological diversity. Over the last few decades we have begun to see further than ever before, with our research efforts yielding new information at all levels of analysis, from whole organism biology to genomics. This book brings together leading researchers who contribute chapters that integrate our current knowledge of phylogenetics and evolution, developmental biology, comparative morphology, physiology, behaviour, and population and community ecology. Dung beetle research is shedding light on the ultimate question of how best to document and conserve the world's biodiversity. The book will be of interest to established researchers, university teachers, research students, conservation biologists, and those wanting to know more about the dung beetle taxon.

Author : Ilkka Hanski,Yves Cambefort
Publisher : Princeton University Press
Page : 514 pages
File Size : 40,8 Mb
Release : 2014-07-14
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781400862092

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Dung Beetle Ecology by Ilkka Hanski,Yves Cambefort Pdf

In many ecosystems dung beetles play a crucial role--both ecologically and economically--in the decomposition of large herbivore dung. Their activities provide scientists with an excellent opportunity to explore biological community dynamics. This collection of essays offers a concise account of the population and community ecology of dung beetles worldwide, with an emphasis on comparisons between arctic, temperate, and tropical species assemblages. Useful insights arise from relating the vast differences in species' life histories to their population and community-level consequences. The authors also discuss changes in dung beetle faunas due to human-caused habitat alteration and examine the possible effects of introducing dung beetles to cattle-breeding areas that lack efficient native species. "With the expansion of cattle breeding areas, the ecology of dung beetles is a subject of great economic concern as well as one of intense theoretical interest. This excellent book represents an up-to-date ecological study covering important aspects of the dung beetle never before presented."--Gonzalo Halffter, Instituto de Ecologia, Mexico City Originally published in 1991. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Author : Helen Lunn,Marcus Byrne
Publisher : Wits University Press
Page : 266 pages
File Size : 46,5 Mb
Release : 2019-04-01
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781776144655

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Dance of the Dung Beetles by Helen Lunn,Marcus Byrne Pdf

The sweeping scientific and social history of the humble dung beetle The humble and industrious dung beetle is a marvelous beast: the 6,000 species identified so far are intricately entwined with human history and scientific endeavor. These night-soil collectors of the planet have been worshipped as gods, worn as jewelry, and painted by artists. More practically, they saved Hawaii from ecological blight, and rescued Australia from plagues of flies. They fertilize soil, cleanse pastures, steer by the stars, and have a unique relationship with the African elephant (along with many other ungulates). Above all, they are the ideal subject for biological study in an evolving world. In this sweeping history of more than 3,000 years, beginning with Ancient Egypt, scientist Marcus Byrne and writer Helen Lunn capture the diversity of dung beetles and their unique behavior patterns. Dung beetles’ fortunes have followed the shifts from a world dominated by a religion that symbolically incorporated them into some of its key concepts of rebirth, to a world in which science has largely separated itself from religion and alchemy. With over 6,000 species found throughout the world, these unassuming but remarkable creatures are fundamental to some of humanity’s most cherished beliefs and have been ever present in religion, art, literature, science and the environment. They are at the center of current gene research, play an important role in keeping our planet healthy, and some nocturnal dung beetles have been found to navigate by the starry skies. Outlining the development of science from the point of view of the humble dung beetle is what makes this charming story of immense interest to general readers and entomologists alike.

Author : C. H. Scholtz,Adrian Louis Victor Davis,Ute Kryger
Publisher : Andersen Press (UK)
Page : 578 pages
File Size : 52,8 Mb
Release : 2009
Category : Nature
ISBN : STANFORD:36105215488177

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Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of Dung Beetles by C. H. Scholtz,Adrian Louis Victor Davis,Ute Kryger Pdf

For a relatively small group of insects, dung beetles have attracted an inordinate amount of scientific interest over the years. This started with the work of the famous French naturalist Jean-Henri Fabre about 100 years ago, but it the work of Gonzalo Halffter of Mexico, and his colleagues, who first placed dung beetles on the scientific map by the publication of two important synthetic works. The first was published in 1966 ("Natural History") and this was followed by another in 1982 ("Nesting and Breeding Behaviour"). A multi-authored book on dung beetle ecology, edited by Ilkka Hanski and Yves Cambefort, was published in 1991. These volumes are long out of print and mostly unavailable. In the 18 years since the last book was published there has been a steady stream of research published on dung beetle phylogeny, biogeography, physiological ecology and conservation, fields that were not, or barely treated in the previous books. The current work synthesises and updates most of the major elements covered in those studies, but introduces several novel sections in a phylogenetic approach to the natural history of dung beetles. The aspects covered, in five sections, are the following: evolution and ecological success of dung beetles; physiological and behavioural ecology of dung beetles; phylogeny of the Scarabaeinae; historical biogeography of the Scarabaeinae and its physical and biotic drivers; and, conservation of dung beetles. The content of the book is balanced in such a way that the information contained in it should be of interest to general entomologists, research specialists on dung beetle natural history, insects systematists, students of entomology, agricultural scientists and insect conservationists.

Author : Mario Favila,Pedro Giovâni Da Silva,Jorge Ari Noriega,Vanesca Korasaki
Publisher : Frontiers Media SA
Page : 188 pages
File Size : 40,9 Mb
Release : 2023-11-28
Category : Science
ISBN : 9782832540442

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Neotropical Dung Beetle Diversity: Ecological, Historical, and Anthropogenic Perspectives by Mario Favila,Pedro Giovâni Da Silva,Jorge Ari Noriega,Vanesca Korasaki Pdf

Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) provide fundamental ecosystem functions and services, like nutrient cycling, bioturbation, secondary seed dispersal, parasite and fly control, and soil fertilization, but land use transformation, has negatively impacted their diversity and processes. For the last four decades, dung beetles have been used as one of the most crucial insect groups for analyzing and monitoring biodiversity in natural temperate and tropical ecosystems, and their anthropogenic ecosystem´s derivatives. Dung beetles seem to be declining mainly for the forest conversion to agrosystems and others ecosystems transformed by human activity in the Neotropical region. Our knowledge of the dung beetle responses to the transformation of their original habitat has increased over the last two decades in the Neotropical region. However, the knowledge on the taxonomy, ecology, biology, and the factors producing the anthropogenic activity on Neotropical dung beetles has not been met and analyzed in full. This Research Topic synthesizes the knowledge on the diversity, taxonomy, and biology of the dung beetle species in the Neotropical region. The structure of this Research Topic is composed of two sections. In the first section, articles may be original research papers or reviews on the knowledge of the dung beetles diversity in each country of the Neotropical region, including species diversity and their response to land use and habitat fragmentation. Articles on the second section may be original research papers or reviews on the following Research Topics: • Taxonomy of Neotropical dung beetles and their preservation in Institutional collections • The methodology used to analyze the spatial distribution and monitoring of dung beetles • The response of dung beetles to habitat loss and modification to the landscape in different countries and Neotropical biomes: Cloud forest, Tropical rain forest, Subtropical forest, Cerrado, Caatinga, Paramo, Pampa, Pantanal, and others • The physiological responses of dung beetles to anthropogenic disturbance in the Neotropics • The biology and reproductive behavior of Neotropical dung beetles • The genetics of Neotropical dung beetle • Dung beetle interaction with other species and its role as a secondary dispersal • The relationship between dung beetles and Mesoamerican cultures

Author : Adrian Louis Victor Davis,Andrey V. Frolov,C. H. Scholtz
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 280 pages
File Size : 50,8 Mb
Release : 2008
Category : Art
ISBN : STANFORD:36105129091307

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The African Dung Beetle Genera by Adrian Louis Victor Davis,Andrey V. Frolov,C. H. Scholtz Pdf

Author : David Waltner-Toews
Publisher : ECW Press
Page : 157 pages
File Size : 50,8 Mb
Release : 2013-06-13
Category : Medical
ISBN : 9781770903975

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The Origin of Feces by David Waltner-Toews Pdf

An entertaining and enlightening exploration of why waste matters, this cultural history explores an often ignored subject matter and makes a compelling argument for a deeper understanding of human and animal waste. Approaching the subject from a variety of perspectives--evolutionary, ecological, and cultural--this examination shows how integral excrement is to biodiversity, agriculture, public health, food production and distribution, and global ecosystems. From primordial ooze, dung beetles, bug frass, cat scats, and flush toilets to global trade, pandemics, and energy, this is the awesome, troubled, uncensored story of feces.

Author : Vonnie D.C. Shields
Publisher : BoD – Books on Demand
Page : 266 pages
File Size : 45,5 Mb
Release : 2017-04-12
Category : Science
ISBN : 9789535130338

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Insect Physiology and Ecology by Vonnie D.C. Shields Pdf

This book discusses recent contributions focusing on insect physiology and ecology written by experts in their respective fields. Four chapters in this book are dedicated to evaluating the morphological and ecological importance and distribution of water beetles, dung beetles, weevils, and tabanids, while two others investigate the symbiotic relationships between various insects and their associations with bacteria, fungi, or mites. Two other chapters consider insecticide detoxification, as well as insect defense mechanisms against infections. The last two chapters concentrate on insects as sustainable food. This book targets a wide audience of general biologists, as well as entomologists, ecologists, zoologists, virologists, and epidemiologists, including both teachers and students in gaining a better appreciation of this rapidly growing field.

Author : Penny Edwards,Jane Wright,Pam Wilson
Publisher : CSIRO PUBLISHING
Page : 74 pages
File Size : 40,6 Mb
Release : 2015-10-19
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781486300709

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Introduced Dung Beetles in Australia by Penny Edwards,Jane Wright,Pam Wilson Pdf

This field guide to introduced dung beetles covers all species found in Australia, including two newly introduced species. It will enable farmers, Landcare workers and the interested public to identify and learn about the basic biology of these beetles found in cattle dung.

Author : Kelly B. Miller,Johannes Bergsten
Publisher : JHU Press
Page : 333 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2016-10-18
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781421420547

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Diving Beetles of the World by Kelly B. Miller,Johannes Bergsten Pdf

The first comprehensive book in more than a century to reveal the diversity and natural history of diving beetles. Among the hundreds of thousands of species of beetles, there is one family, containing some 4,300 species, that stands out as one of the most diverse and important groups of aquatic predatory insects. This is the Dytiscidae, whose species are commonly known as diving beetles. No comprehensive treatment of this group has been compiled in over 130 years, a period during which a great many changes in classification and a near quadrupling of known species has occurred. In Diving Beetles of the World, Kelly B. Miller and Johannes Bergsten provide the only full treatments of all 188 Dytiscid genera ever assembled. Entomologists, systematists, limnologists, ecologists, and others with an interest in aquatic systems or insect diversity will find these extensively illustrated keys and taxon accounts immensely helpful. The keys make it possible to identify all taxa from subfamily to genera, and each key and taxon treatment is accompanied by both photographs and detailed pen-and-ink drawings of diagnostic features. Every genus account covers body length, diagnostic characters, classification, species diversity, a review of known natural history, and world distribution. Each account is also accompanied by a range map and at least one high-resolution habitus image of a specimen. Diving beetles are fast becoming important models for aquatic ecology, world biogeography, population ecology, and animal sexual evolution and, with this book, the diversity of the group is finally accessible.

Author : Richard Jones
Publisher : Pelagic Publishing Ltd
Page : 374 pages
File Size : 47,7 Mb
Release : 2017-02-01
Category : Nature
ISBN : 9781784271060

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Call of Nature by Richard Jones Pdf

'a true gem' —London Naturalist 'I love this book' —Nick Baker The author completes the book with an identification guide to dung itself, so that you can identify the animal that left it behind. Pellets or pats? Scats, spraints, frass, guano, spoor learn your way around different species droppings. There's also a dung-feeder s identification guide that includes the species you re most likely to encounter on an exploration of the dung heap. Journey through the digestive systems of humans, farm and wild animals, and meet some of nature’s ultimate recyclers as they eat, breed in and compete for dung. The fall of bodily waste onto the ground is the start of a race against the clock as a multitude of dung-feeders and scavengers consume this rich food source. From the enigmatic dung-rolling beetles to bat guano and giant elephant droppings, dung creates a miniature ecosystem to be explored by the aspiring dung watcher. The author completes the book with an identification guide to dung itself, so that you can identify the animal that left it behind. Pellets or pats? Scats, spraints, frass, guano, spoor – learn your way around different species’ droppings. There’s also a dung-feeder’s identification guide that includes the species you’re most likely to encounter on an exploration of the dung heap.

Author : Tomas Roslin
Publisher : Department of Ecology and Systematic Ogy
Page : 112 pages
File Size : 53,9 Mb
Release : 1999-01-01
Category : Dung beetles
ISBN : 9529113161

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Spatial Ecology of Dung Beetles by Tomas Roslin Pdf

Author : Kamal J.K. Gandhi,Richard W. Hofstetter
Publisher : Academic Press
Page : 438 pages
File Size : 54,9 Mb
Release : 2021-10-28
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780128224403

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Bark Beetle Management, Ecology, and Climate Change by Kamal J.K. Gandhi,Richard W. Hofstetter Pdf

Bark Beetle Management, Ecology, and Climate Change provides the most updated and comprehensive knowledge on the complex effects of global warming upon the economically and ecologically important bark beetle species and their host trees. This authoritative reference synthesizes information on how forest disturbances and environmental changes due to current and future climate changes alter the ecology and management of bark beetles in forested landscapes. Written by international experts on bark beetle ecology, this book covers topics ranging from changes in bark beetle distributions and addition of novel hosts due to climate change, interactions of insects with altered host physiology and disturbance regimes, ecosystem-level impacts of bark beetle outbreaks due to climate change, multi-trophic changes mediated via climate change, and management of bark beetles in altered forests and climate conditions. Bark Beetle Management, Ecology, and Climate Change is an important resource for entomologists, as well as forest health specialists, policy makers, and conservationists who are interested in multi-faceted impacts of climate change on forest insects at the organismal, population, and community-levels. The only book that addresses the impacts of global warming on bark beetles with feedback loops to forest patterns and processes Discusses altered disturbance regimes due to climate change with implications for bark beetles and associated organisms Led by a team of editors whose expertise includes entomology, pathology, ecology, forestry, modeling, and tree physiology

Author : Ian C. W. Hardy,Mark Briffa
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 385 pages
File Size : 51,9 Mb
Release : 2013-05-30
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781107244399

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Animal Contests by Ian C. W. Hardy,Mark Briffa Pdf

Contests are an important aspect of the lives of diverse animals, from sea anemones competing for space on a rocky shore to fallow deer stags contending for access to females. Why do animals fight? What determines when fights stop and which contestant wins? Addressing fundamental questions on contest behaviour, this volume presents theoretical and empirical perspectives across a range of species. The historical development of contest research, the evolutionary theory of both dyadic and multiparty contests, and approaches to experimental design and data analysis are discussed in the first chapters. This is followed by reviews of research in key animal taxa, from the use of aerial displays and assessment rules in butterflies and the developmental biology of weapons in beetles, through to interstate warfare in humans. The final chapter considers future directions and applications of contest research, making this a comprehensive resource for both graduate students and researchers in the field.

Author : David Evans Walter,Heather C. Proctor
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
Page : 505 pages
File Size : 54,9 Mb
Release : 2013-10-08
Category : Science
ISBN : 9789400771642

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Mites: Ecology, Evolution & Behaviour by David Evans Walter,Heather C. Proctor Pdf

More than 40,000 species of mites have been described, and up to 1 million may exist on earth. These tiny arachnids play many ecological roles including acting as vectors of disease, vital players in soil formation, and important agents of biological control. But despite the grand diversity of mites, even trained biologists are often unaware of their significance. Mites: Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour (2nd edition) aims to fill the gaps in our understanding of these intriguing creatures. It surveys life cycles, feeding behaviour, reproductive biology and host-associations of mites without requiring prior knowledge of their morphology or taxonomy. Topics covered include evolution of mites and other arachnids, mites in soil and water, mites on plants and animals, sperm transfer and reproduction, mites and human disease, and mites as models for ecological and evolutionary theories.