Dung beetles are seriously under threat as a result of coextinction (where a species is lost as a result of the extinction of another). In the case of the dung beetle the threat of extinction is an indirect consequence of the decline in the numbers of large mammals as a result of hunting. The composition and availability dung, which is an essential source of food for the beetles, is being altered. Early indications from research suggest that such changes will have both short and long term implications for nutrient recycling and secondary seed dispersal.
Did you know?
The beetle has the largest number of sub-species out of all the insects, with 40% of all recognised insects being classed as beetles.
Contributed by Tom Welch