Sheep Dung Removal by Coexisting Rainbow Scarabs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Phanaeus MacLeay) under Experimental Laboratory Conditions

Dung beetles are key providers of several ecosystem processes such as dung removal, which is a critical function especially in livestock areas. Here we evaluate sheep dung removal activity by coexisting species of the genus Phanaeus MacLeay under laboratory conditions, to describe their role in this ecosystem function. We assessed the effect of four factors: i) Beetle species—we compared the amount of dung removed by pairs of Phanaeus quadridens (Say, 1835) vs. pairs of Phanaeus adonis Harold, 1863; ii) beetle density—we compared treatments with two and six individuals; iii) coexistence of different species—we compared dung removal by only females of P. quadridens with mixed females of three species (P. quadridens, P. adonis, and Phanaeus palliatus Sturm, 1843); and iv) time after dung deposition (24 and 48 h). We did not find differences in the amount of dung removed between species (P. quadridens and P. adonis), nor between different densities. Phanaeus quadridens females alone removed more dung than females of the three species combined, and a greater amount of dung was removed during the first 24 hours. Understanding the links between dung beetle ecological functions and ecosystem services is critical for the management of these services, especially in livestock areas.