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 http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf http://sajs.co.za/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/SAJS%20112_7-8_Midgley_Research%20Letter.pdf