Abstract
A canonical variate analysis was used to summarize the distribution pattern of 30 species of dung beetles (Scarabaeinae) from 162 sites in the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) in relation to 4 site variables. The best separation of beetle species, obtained using a xerothermic climatic index, was into 3 groups called “mediterranean”, “unrestricted” and “temperate”. Little further separation was achieved using altitude, dung type or soil type. These data are used to select dung beetles for introduction to south-western Australia for bush fly control.
Résumé
On a fait appel à l'analyse de variables canoniques pour résumer le plan de distribution, relatif à 4 variables de localité, de 30 espèces de bousiers (Scarabaeinae) de 162 localités de la Péninsule ibérique (l'Espagne et le Portugal). La meilleure division des espèces, obtenue à l'aide d'un indice xérothermique climatique, se faisait en 3 groupes désignés respectivement comme “méditerranéen”, “ubiquiste” et “tempéré”. Peu de séparation supplémentaire a été obtenue en ayant recours à des facteurs d'altitude, de nature de la bouse ou de type de sol. Ces données ont été employées pour aider à la sélection de bousiers destinés à être introduits en Australie Occidentale pour y combattreMusca vetustissima Walker[Diptera].
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anon — 1963. Ecological study of the Mediterranean zone. Bioclimatic map of the Mediterranean zone, 60 pp. — Paris UNESCO-FAO (Recherches sur la zone Aride XXI).
Bornemissza, G. F. — 1976. The Australian dung beetle project 1965–1975. —Aust. Meat Res. Comm. Rev., 30, 1–30.
Doube, B. M. — 1983. The habitat preference of some bovine dung beetles [Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae] in Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa. —Bull. Entomol. Res., 73, 357–371.
Dzhambazishvili, Y. S. — 1973. Vertical distribution ofScarabaeidae [Coleoptera] in Abkazia. —Entomol. Rev., 52, 552–554.
Halffter, G. & Matthews, E. G. — 1966. The natural history of dung beetles of the subfamilyScarabaeinae [Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae]. —Folia Entomol. Mex., 12–14, 312 pp.
Hanski, I. — 1983. Distributional ecology and abundance of dung and carrion-feeding beetles[Scarabaeidae] in tropical rain forests in Sarawak, Borneo. —Acta Zool. Fennica, 167, 1–45.
Kirk, A. A. — 1974. Bioclimates of AustralianPinus radiata areas andSirex noctilio localities in the northern hemisphere. —Aust. For., 37, 126–131.
Lumaret, J. P. — 1977. Les scarabés coprophages de la Garrigue. —Ann. Soc. Hort. Hist. Nat. L'Hérault, 117, 98–101.
Lumaret, J. P. — 1979. Biogéographie et écologie des Scarabéides coprophages du sud de la France. I. Méthodologie et modéles de répartition. —Vie et Milieu, 28–29 (IC), 1–34.
Martin, P. — 1982. Los Scarabaeinae[Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea] de la Peninsula Iberica e Islas Baleares. —Thesis Doct. Univ. Comp., Madrid, 490 pp.
Matthews, E. G. — 1972. A revision of the scarabaeine dung beetles of Australia I. Tribe Onthophagini. —Aust. J. Zool. Suppl. Ser., 9, 1–330.
Matthews, E. G. — 1974. A revision of the scarabaeine dung beetles of Australia II. Tribe Scarabaeini. —Aust. J. Zool. Suppl. Ser., 24, 1–211.
Matthiessen, J. N. — 1983. The seasonal distribution and characteristics of bush flyMusca vetustissima (Walker) populations in south-western Australia. —Aust. J. Ecol., 8, 383–395.
Nealis, V. G. — 1977. Habitat associations and community analysis of south Texas dung beetles[Coleoptera, Scarabaeinae]. —Can. J. Zool., 55, 138–147.
Oppenheimer, J. R. &Begum, J. — 1978. Ecology of some dung beetles[Scarabaeidae andAphodiinae] in Dacca district. —Bangladesh J. Zool., 6, 23–29.
Reyment, R. A., Blackith, R. E. &Campbell, N. A. — 1984. Multivariate Morphometrics (2nd Edition). —Academic Press, London.
Ricou, G. — 1981. Contribution à l'étude de la dynamique des populations coprophiles. Biocoenoses des fécès en Margeride lozérienne. —Mém. D.E.S. Sci. Nat., Université de Rouen, 184 pp.
Ridsdill-Smith, T. J. &Hall, G. P. — 1984. Beetles and mites attracted to fresh cattle dung in southwestern Australian pastures. —CSIRO Aust. Div. Entomol. Rep., 34, 1–29.
Ridsdill-Smith, T. J. &Kirk, A. A. — 1982. Dung beetles and dispersal of cattle dung. —Proc. 3rd Australasian Conf. Grassl. Invert. Ecol., 215–220, Adelaide 1981 (K. E. Lee, ed.). —SA Govt. Printer, Adelaide.
Ridsdill-Smith, T. J. &Kirk, A. A. — 1985. Selecting dung beetles [Scarabaeinae] from Spain for bushfly control in south western Australia. —Entomophaga, 30, 217–224.
Spradbery, J. P. &Kirk, A. A. — 1978. Aspects of the ecology of siricid woodwasps[Hymenoptera: Siricidae] in Europe, North Africa and Turkey with special referene to the biological control ofSirex noctilio F. in Australia. —Bull. Entomol. Res., 68, 341–359.
Tyndale-Biscoe, M., Wallace, M. M. H. &Walker, J. M. — 1981. An ecological study of an Australian dung beetle,Onthophagus granulatus Boheman [Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae], using physiological age-grading techniques. —Bull. Entomol. Res., 71, 137–152.
Walter, P. — 1978. Recherches écologiques et biologiques sur les scarabéides coprophages d'une savane du Zaire. —These Doct. d'Etat, Univ. Sci. et Techn. Languedoc, Montpellier, 353 pp.