Onthophagini

Streubel, 1846

Onthophagine dung beetles

Genus Guides

Onthophagini is a large and ecologically significant tribe of dung beetles within the Scarabaeidae. The tribe comprises approximately half of the world's dung beetle fauna, with the Onthophagus alone containing over 2,300 worldwide. Members are found on every continent except Antarctica. The tribe originated from a single common ancestor shared with the Oniticellini, with which it forms a . While many dung beetles are known for ball-rolling , Onthophagini species exhibit diverse feeding strategies including specialization on fungi, carrion, and dead millipedes, with some species living in close association with and ants.

Onthophagus taurus by (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie. Used under a CC-BY license.

Onthophagus striatulus by (c) Kyle Rossner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kyle Rossner. Used under a CC-BY license.

Onthophagus orpheus by (c) Mark Richman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mark Richman. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Onthophagini: /ɒnˌθɒfəˈdʒaɪniː/

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Identification

Onthophagini can be distinguished from other dung beetle tribes by morphological characters including features of the , pronotum, and male genitalia. The tribe contains the highly speciose Onthophagus, which has complex due to morphological convergence among unrelated . Species-level identification typically requires examination of male genitalia and detailed morphological analysis; dichotomous keys are available for regional faunas including Australia (165 species in 24 species-groups) and the Arabian Peninsula.

Images

Habitat

Members occupy diverse ranging from tropical forests to arid grasslands and deserts. Australian show specific ecological preferences regarding vegetation cover and soil type. Some species are associated with burrows of small mammals. The tribe spans elevations from sea level to over 3,200 meters.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution except Antarctica. Major regional faunas include: Australia (165 ), Sub-Saharan Africa (including the derived Tiaronthophagus), Arabian Peninsula (30 species across Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, with highest diversity south of the Tropic of Cancer), Mexico, and the western Palearctic. The tribe shows Afrotropical and Afrotropical-Palaearctic affinities in the Arabian region, with Central Africa identified as the ancestral area for some clades.

Diet

Primarily , feeding on mammal . However, the tribe shows diverse feeding habits including necro-coprophagous (carrion and dung), fungivorous species, and on dead millipedes. Some species do not feed on dung at all.

Behavior

Males of some exhibit alternative mating strategies correlated with horn size dimorphism. In Onthophagus binodis, large-horned males cooperate with females to provision for , while hornless males employ alternative tactics without post-copulatory assistance. Some species live in close association with and ants, possibly feeding on nest debris.

Ecological Role

Dung beetles in this tribe contribute substantially to services including nutrient recycling, reduction, and seed germination facilitation. They comprise the majority of dung beetle in many ecosystems. Their activity helps break down mammal , accelerating decomposition and nutrient return to soil systems.

Human Relevance

Some have potential as agents. The tribe has been extensively studied for and alternative mating strategy research. Several species have been introduced to new regions for removal in pastoral systems. The high diversity and complex make this group significant for taxonomic and evolutionary research.

Similar Taxa

OniticelliniSister tribe sharing a common ancestor with Onthophagini; distinguished by morphological and behavioral differences including the absence of ball-rolling in both tribes
Other Scarabaeinae tribesOnthophagini distinguished by specific morphological characters of the , pronotum, and genitalia; the tribe's high and morphological convergence make it particularly challenging to distinguish from other dung beetle tribes without detailed examination