Abstract

AUDINO, Lívia D et al. Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) from an eucalyptus forest introduced in an originally grassland region. Iheringia, Sér. Zool. [online]. 2011, vol.101, n.1-2, pp. 121-126. ISSN 0073-4721.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0073-47212011000100017.

This study provides data about the Scarabaeinae fauna that occurs in a eucalyptus plantation inserted in an originally open area, describing which are able to establish themselves in this introduced and shaded environment. The survey was carried in an area of eucalyptus monoculture using flight intercept and pitfall traps baited with human feces, rotten banana and carcass, from December 2005 to November 2006. Twenty-eight species were collected, belonging to 11 genera. Of these 28 species, 11 have been previously recorded in grassland and native forest environments of the region, 11 only in grasslands, two were exclusive of eucalyptus plantations and four were not identified at the specific level, which did not allow the achievement of more information on these species in the natural ecosystems of the region. The results showed that species that occur in eucalyptus are habitat generalists, have preference for shaded environments and/or are tourist species. This, however, is one of the few surveys performed in the region. Therefore, additional studies are necessary to obtain more information about the distribution and response of dung beetles to natural and anthropogenic ecosystems of the region.

Keywords : Dung beetles; survey; Pampa biome.