Arquivo de 2025 -

Who is served first? Intraspecific traits that drive arrival at food resource in two Phanaeus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) species.

Silvia Altoé Falqueto — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:01:05 +0000

RESUMO: Intra- and interspecific interactions may structure complex competitive scenarios in which the arrival time at a resource may play a key role in determining how individuals and populations are maintained. The speed and efficiency by which the dung beetles locate and colonise dung pads, which comprise an ephemeral and randomly distributed resource, may vary according to their physiological condition, sex, and body temperature. This study aimed to analyse how the sex, morphological traits, physiological conditions, and body temperature of dung beetles determine the time each individual spends reaching food resources. We performed field observations in arenas, recording the time spent by Phanaeus pseudofurcosus Bathasar, 1939, and Phanaeus obliquans Bates, 1887 individuals to reach the food resource. Dung beetles with lower temperatures arrived more rapidly at the dung pad. The body temperature of female dung beetles was the only variable explaining arrival time at the dung pad, with warmer females of both species arriving later. Males of P. pseudofurcosus with more muscle mass arrived later at the dung pad than those with lower muscle mass. The body temperature of P. obliquans individuals arriving at the dung pad depended on the environmental temperature. In summary, the arrival of dung beetles at food resources is influenced by physiological condition and temperature, and is also a species and sex-dependent dynamic. This pattern of arrival time appears to be determined by a complex set of species-specific conditions, with each species responding to distinct physiological and thermal dynamics.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.70162

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A scarab feeding on another scarab: First observation of necrophagy by Canthon histrio (Saint-Fargeau & Audinet-Serville, 1828) on a dead Passalidae.

Silvia Altoé Falqueto — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:58:05 +0000

RESUMO: Besides the widely known behavior of Atta predation by Canthon spp., knowledge of the dietary range of Canthon species is scarce. This note documents the first observation of necrophagy by the dung beetle Canthon histrio on a recently dead Passalidae beetle. The dung beetle exhibited typical nesting behavior by digging into the substrate beneath the Passalidae, although it faced challenges due to the compacted soil. This observation highlights the diverse dietary habits of Canthon species, suggesting that necrophagy may be more widespread than previously documented.

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A new species of Ichthyurus (Coleoptera: Cantharidae: Chauliognathinae) preying on tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta (Drury) from India

Silvia Altoé Falqueto — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:56:02 +0000

RESUMO: The Ichthyurini are a diverse and widespread tribe of Chauliognathinae (Cantharidae) comprising nearly 300 species, but, so far, their biological data are scarce, and nothing is known about their behaviour and feeding habits. Here, we describe and illustrate a new species, Ichthyurus antheraeanus Sreedevi, Reddy, and Biffi, sp. nov. from Jharkhand, India, and report for the first time the predatory behaviour of a species in the tribe. Males and females of I. antheraeanus sp. nov. were found preying on early instar larvae of the tasar silkmoth, Antheraea mylitta (Drury, 1773) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). Detailed descriptions and photographic illustrations of adult habitus and genitalia of both sexes of the species as well as their COI mtDNA barcode are provided. The potential harm that I. antheraeanus sp. nov. may have on the tasar silk production in India is discussed.

doi: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5729.2.9

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The Amazonian Telegeusinae and the first records of the family Omethidae in Brazil (Coleoptera: Elateroidea).

Silvia Altoé Falqueto — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:50:11 +0000

RESUMO: The study reports the first confirmed record of the family Omethidae in Brazil, based on the identification of two species of the genus Pseudotelegeusis Wittmer from the Brazilian Amazon. The authors documented populations of Pseudotelegeusis howdeni Wittmer, 1976 in the state of Amazonas, and Pseudotelegeusis meloi Roza, Constantin & Mermudes, 2019 in Pará, Acre, and Rondônia, substantially extending the known distribution of these species across South America. The findings also reveal that these soft-bodied beetles, historically under-collected and often misidentified as members of other groups, had been sitting in Brazilian collections for years awaiting proper identification. Beyond expanding the known range of the subfamily Telegeusinae by thousands of kilometers, the study paves the way for taxonomic revisions, targeted field surveys, and the potential discovery of additional, as yet undescribed species in Brazil.

doi: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5728.1.9

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A legacy of passion and dedication: new taxa and notes on Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) from the late James Cope collection.

Silvia Altoé Falqueto — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:48:38 +0000

RESUMO: The material examined in this work belongs to the collection of James S. Cope (1941-2024). His collection of over 10,000 specimens of Cerambycidae is currently housed in the California State Collection of Arthropods at the California Department of Food & Agriculture Sacramento, California, USA. Two new species are described: Odontogracilis copei sp. nov. (Cerambycinae, Rhinotragini) from Mexico: and Sternacutus monnei sp. nov. (Lamiinae, Acanthocinini) from Panama. Euderces reichei LeConte, 1873 is redescribed based on an entirely dark specimen from Mexico. Lithargyrus Martins & Monné, 1979 (Lamiinae, Acanthocinini) is recorded from Mexico for the first time; the possible synonymy between L. guadeloupensis (Villiers, 1980) and L. melzeri Martins & Monné, 1979 is discussed. The female of Alphinellus minutus Bates, 1881 (Lamiinae, Desmiphorini) is described for the first time.

doi: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5725.4.5

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Collaborative research networks as a strategy to synthesize knowledge of Amazonian biodiversity.

Silvia Altoé Falqueto — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:47:04 +0000

RESUMO: The Amazon region is critical for maintaining global biodiversity and mitigating climate change; however, it faces escalating threats from deforestation and habitat degradation. Addressing these threats requires evidence-based strategies grounded in investments in science, technology, innovation and collaborative research. The Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT) programme plays a central role in advancing scientific and technological progress by establishing collaborative research networks across diverse fields and regions. In this context, we present the INCT in Synthesis of Amazonian Biodiversity (INCT-SynBiAm) as a case study, illustrating how research networks can promote diversity in academia and enhance our understanding of biodiversity in hyperdiverse tropical regions. The SynBiAm network integrates 47 academic and non-academic institutions from Brazil and abroad. Its key objectives are to establish and expand a collaborative initiative for research synthesis in Amazonia, deepen our understanding of biodiversity patterns, threats and drivers in forest and freshwater ecosystems, inform environmental and educational practices and policies, and train future educators, decision-makers and scientists committed to the Amazon’s conservation and sustainability. We outline the INCT programme and demonstrate how the INCT-SynBiAm network can achieve these goals, providing a model for future collaborative initiatives aimed at addressing socio-ecological challenges in tropical regions.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.2069

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New species and new records of flat-faced longhorned beetles (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) from the Brazilian Northeast Region.

Silvia Altoé Falqueto — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:44:00 +0000

RESUMO: Lamiinae is the most diverse group of Cerambycidae, comprising 20589 valid species, of which over 2200 are known from Brazil, with many species recently described for the country. The Brazilian Northeast Region includes four Brazilian biomes and, historically, has received less attention in terms of research on biodiversity. However, considering only Lamiinae, the Brazilian Northeast is the third most diverse region in the country. Herein, we describe two new species of flat-faced longhorned beetles from the Brazilian Northeast Region: Apagomerella nordestina sp. nov. and Malacoscylus licae sp. nov. Additionally, we provide two new records for the region: Acanthoderes (Acanthoderes) daviesii (Swederus, 1787) from Pernambuco State and Lachnia subcincta Audinet-Serville, 1835 from Ceará State.

doi: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2025.1026.3121

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Effects of soil physical properties on dung beetle assemblages in pasture landscapes of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Silvia Altoé Falqueto — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:42:34 +0000

RESUMO: (1) Soil factors have important implications for the establishment of species that dwell on and underneath them. Dung beetles’ biological cycle is highly dependent on soil, and their nesting and feeding activities positively affect soil chemical and physical properties. (2) We assessed the effect of the type of soil texture (loamy sand and sandy loam) and its physical properties (the amount of sand, silt and clay), compaction and soil moisture on dung beetle species assemblages (species richness, abundance, functional groups and species composition) in a pastureland region of Brazilian Cerrado. (3) Our findings demonstrate that although the species richness was not affected by the type of soil texture and its properties, there was a consistent shift in species composition between loamy sand and sandy loam soils. We also found a reduction of the total and paracoprid beetle abundances in loamy sand soil. Furthermore, soil compaction was the main driver of dung beetle species composition in pasturelands, where the increase of soil compaction negatively affected the entire dung beetle assemblage and paracoprids’ abundances. (4) These results indicate that dung beetles are sensitive to changes in soil compaction, and that type of soil texture may play an essential role as a segregation mechanism for distribution of species in pastureland ecosystems. (5) Finally, understanding how ecological communities respond to shifts in soil type texture and its properties, can assist cattle farmers in making soil management decisions aiming to conserve dung beetles and their ecological functions in tropical pasturelands.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/afe.70021

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Rainfall shapes the physiological condition, but not the body size, of an introduced dung beetle in Brazilian pastures.

Silvia Altoé Falqueto — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:39:10 +0000

RESUMO: (1) Seasonal rainfall patterns play a crucial role in shaping the biology, ecology and physiology of animals, particularly in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. Understanding these dynamics is critical under climate change scenarios, as shifts in rainfall regimes can disrupt phenological and physiological adaptations. However, physiological responses of Digitonthophagus gazella, an African dung beetle introduced worldwide for pasture improvement, to seasonal rainfall variation remain poorly understood. (2) Here, we evaluated the effects of seasonal rainfall on body size, dry, lipid and muscle mass in D. gazella collected during the dry and rainy seasons in introduced Brazilian pastures. We sampled beetles in December 2023 (rainy) and July 2024 (dry), in two pasturelands sites (Urochloa spp.) in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul. The sampling was carried out using light traps and directly from cattle faecal excrement in the pastures. (3) Seasons did not affect D. gazella body size, dry and lipid masses. The dry season had individuals with higher muscle mass compared to the rainy season. These findings suggest that D. gazella individuals tolerate seasonal fluctuations, which may buffer them against seasonal environmental stress. Such plasticity may underlie the species’ resilience and contribute to its successful establishment and ongoing expansion in tropical and subtropical pastures. (4) Our findings highlight that rapid physiological adjustments can act as key mechanisms enabling D. gazella to withstand increasing climatic variability. Nonetheless, for a broader comprehension of seasonal effects on body condition of tropical dung beetles, more species and different ecosystems should be analysed in future studies.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/een.70042

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Impacts of rainfall seasonality on dung beetle diversity and their ecological functions in introduced Brazilian pastures.

Silvia Altoé Falqueto — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:36:48 +0000

RESUMO: The increasing occurrence of drought worldwide underscores the need to understand how rainfall seasonality influences species abundance and temporal availability of the ecosystem functions they provide. Here, we evaluate the effects of rainfall seasonality on dung beetle assemblages (species richness, abundance, species composition, and biomass) and their ecological functions (dung removal and soil bioturbation) in introduced pastures within the Brazilian Cerrado. To achieve this, we sampled dung beetles and measured their ecological functions in 10 pastures during the dry and rainy seasons in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Our results showed a decline in species richness, abundance, and biomass, along with reduced ecological functions from the rainy to the dry season. These findings indicate that rainfall seasonality affects not only dung beetle assemblages but also impacts the ecosystem services directly associated with these organisms. Furthermore, dung removal was positively correlated with species richness and biomass during the rainy season but not in the dry season. As dung beetles are essential for maintaining functional pastures, understanding their responses to seasonal variation is critical for predicting climate change impacts on these insects and their ability to provide key ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling, parasite control, and soil fertility. Implications for insect conservation: We emphasize the importance of conservation strategies to mitigate the effects of increasing drought and ensure the maintenance of ecosystem services in tropical pasturelands. Finally, our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the biodiversity–ecosystem function relationship under climate change.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12976/jib/2025.69.2.2

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