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


Citation

Goh Thary Gazi, . Preliminary survey of dung beetle diversity in Krau Wildlife Reserve Pahang Malaysia. pp. 131-136. ISSN 0121-8126

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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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.

Additional Metadata

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Item Type: Article
AGROVOC Term: Dung beetles
AGROVOC Term: Scarabaeidae
AGROVOC Term: Fauna
AGROVOC Term: Surveys
AGROVOC Term: Trapping
AGROVOC Term: Identification
AGROVOC Term: Reserved forests
AGROVOC Term: Primary forests
AGROVOC Term: Species diversity
AGROVOC Term: Population composition
Depositing User: Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified: 24 Apr 2025 00:54
URI: http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/8326

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