Diversity of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) from the Pampas del Heath, Bahuaja Sonene National Park – Peru: new country records

Abstract

The composition of dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) in the Bahuaja Sonene National Park (PNBS) was studied. Five surveys were conducted in forests and grasslands during both the dry and rainy seasons. Beetles were collected by pitfall traps baited with decomposed fish and human feces. A total of 2,371 individuals of 44 species were collected. Canthon septemmaculatus, Canthidium lentum, Onthophagus rubrescens, O. haematopus, and Coprophanaeus magnoi accounted for 63.1% of the total individuals. Richness estimators indicate a high percentage of inventory completeness. The assemblage structure varied significantly between habitats and sampling months, but not between climatic epochs. Abundance and diversity were higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. The highest richness, diversity, and abundance were recorded in November 2012. The observed richness shows that even small forested fragments are important for conservation purposes. Digitonthophagus gazella is registered for the first time for this area, and the species Canthon octodentatus, Canthidium viridiobscurum, Canthi. multipunctatum, Trichillidium quadridens, C. magnoi, and Uroxys corporaali, constitute new records for the dung beetle fauna of Peru. This is the first reported study of Scarabaeinae diversity from the Heath Pampas of the PNBS, highlighting the importance of comprehensive sampling and inventories at regional and national levels.