Comparison of copro-necrophagous beetle assemblages (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) among tropical dry forest fragments and the adjacent matrix in the Atlántico Department of Colombia

The fragmentation of the tropical dry forest in the Colombian Caribbean has left forest fragments immerse in matrices of livestock and agricultural uses, where dung beetle communities are found and about which little is known on their spatio-temporal dynamics. Therefore, a comparison of the spatio-temporal variation of copro-necrophagous beetles assemblage (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) was conducted between forest patches and their adjacent matrix (cropland, paddocks, living fences) in 3 locations (Corrales de San Luis [CSL], Reserva Campesina La Montaña [RCM] y Reserva Bijibana [RB]). Two samplings were carried out in each season (first rains, heavy rains and dry) and for every forest patch and adjacent matrix 10 pitfall traps were buried. A total of 34,170 beetles was collected belonging to 15 genera and 32 species. The analysis of interpolation and extrapolation showed that the highest diversity values are found during the first rains in the living fences of RCM with 22 species and the lowest values were observed in cropland and pasture of CSL during the dry season (2 species). The ANOSIM test proved that forest patches have differences in the composition and structure of Scarabaeinae community in relation to the other habitats with anthropic impact. © 2017 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Biología