Modeling the distribution of coprophagous beetle species in the Western Swiss Alps

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Version: Final published version
License: CC BY 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_1274F7A73F92
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Modeling the distribution of coprophagous beetle species in the Western Swiss Alps
Journal
Alpine Entomology
Author(s)
Cosandey V., Broennimann O., Guisan A.
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2022
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
6
Pages
25-38
Language
english
Abstract
Coprophagous beetles are essential for fecal matter removal and are thus considered key ecosystem services providers. Yet, our knowledge of these beetles’ distribution and ecology remains very limited. Here, we used Species Distribution Models (SDM) to investigate the species-environment relationships (i.e. their niche) and predict the geographic distribution of coprophagous beetles in the Western Swiss Alps. We used our own sampled data and existing national data from the Swiss faunal database to calibrate, for each species, a regional and a national SDM respectively. In both models, the best predictors were temperature and rock cover proportion, while a soil characteristic (∂13C) indicating its organic content and texture was important in the regional models and precipitations in the Swiss models. The model performed better for species specialized on low or high altitudes than for generalist species occurring in a large altitudinal range. The model performances were neither influenced by the size, nor by the nesting behavior (laying eggs inside or below the excrements) of the species. We also showed that species richness decreased with altitude. This study opens new perspective for a better knowledge of coprophagous beetle’s ecology and a useful tool for their conservation in mountain regions.
Keywords
Dung beetles, Species distribution modeling (SDM), Ensemble of Small Models (ESMs), Hydrophilidae, Geotrupidae, Scarabaeidae
Create date
05/06/2022 14:47
Last modification date
14/05/2024 7:39
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