y2016m05b06
20160726095700
assa
nadine@assaf.org.za
assa
South African Journal of Science
S. Afr. J. Sci
0038-2353
1996-7489
07262016
Volume 112
Number 7/8
Two dung beetle species that disperse mimetic seeds both feed on eland dung
English
Jeremy J.
Midgley
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7831-2301
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Joseph D.M.
White
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5617-4515
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Abstract
Scarabaeus spretus zur Strassen was observed to roll and bury Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) seeds in the sandplain fynbos of the Potberg area of the De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa. This species is the second dung beetle species found to be deceived by the faecal mimicry of C. argenteum seeds – the first species being Epirinus flagellatus. An isotopic analysis suggests that both these dung beetle species most likely feed on eland (Taurotragus oryx), not bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus), dung. Thus the model in this mimicry is eland dung; this interaction suggests large herbivores are an integral part of this fynbos.
07262016
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/za/
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/za/
10.17159/sajs.2016/20160114
20160726095700
http://sajs.co.za/two-dung-beetle-species-disperse-mimetic-seeds-both-feed-eland-dung/jeremy-j-midgley-joseph-d-m-white
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http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf
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http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf
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http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf
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http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf
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http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf
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http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf
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http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf