Pardalosus slevini
(Van Dyke, 1928)
Pardalosus slevini is a of scarab beetle in the Aphodiinae, described by Van Dyke in 1928. It is a dung beetle to California. The Pardalosus contains species associated with burrowing owl nests and mammal burrows. Records for this species are sparse, with only two observations documented on iNaturalist.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Pardalosus slevini: //ˌpɑr.dəˈloʊ.sus ˈslɛ.vɪˌni//
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Identification
Members of Pardalosus are small aphodiine dung beetles, generally less than 6 mm in length. They may be distinguished from other Aphodiinae by their association with owl nests and mammal burrows rather than exposed . Specific diagnostic features for P. slevini relative to require examination of male genitalia and detailed comparison of elytral punctation patterns.
Habitat
Associated with burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) nests and mammal burrows in arid and semi-arid regions. Inhabits subterranean nest environments rather than surface deposits.
Distribution
to California, United States. Documented from the Nearctic region with specific records in California.
Host Associations
- burrowing owl - commensalAssociated with owl nest burrows
- mammals - commensalAssociated with mammal burrows
Ecological Role
Contributes to nutrient cycling within subterranean nest and burrow microhabitats. Functions as a in these specialized environments, processing organic matter accumulated in burrows.
Similar Taxa
- Other AphodiinaeMost aphodiines are associated with exposed rather than subterranean burrows and nests. Pardalosus occupy a distinctive that aids in field identification to level.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Originally described in a different and later transferred to Pardalosus. The genus Pardalosus was revised by Gordon and Skelley in 2007, clarifying its placement within Aphodiinae.
Data deficiency
This is poorly represented in collections and observation databases. The iNaturalist record of two observations suggests genuine rarity, specificity, or under-sampling of its subterranean microhabitat.