Digitonthophagus
Digitonthophagus
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Scarabaeoidea
- Family: Scarabaeidae
- Subfamily: Scarabaeinae
- Tribe: Onthophagini
- Genus: Digitonthophagus
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Digitonthophagus: //dɪˌdʒɪt.ɒnˈθɒ.fə.ɡəs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Digitonthophagus is a genus of scarab beetles, with Digitonthophagus gazella being a well-known species that plays an important role in dung decomposition across various environments.
Physical Characteristics
Typically brown in color, with a robust body shape and characteristic rounded appearance common in dung beetles.
Identification Tips
Look for their distinctive rounded shape and brown coloration. They are usually found in dung piles or associated with manure.
Habitat
Found in pastures and grasslands where livestock are present, often around areas with accumulated dung.
Distribution
Native to Afro-Asian regions; introduced to various regions worldwide, including Australia as part of a dung beetle project.
Diet
Primarily feeds on dung, which it uses as a food resource and breeding site.
Life Cycle
Lifecycle stages include egg, larva, pupa, and adult; the eggs are usually laid in dung balls, which serve as a food source for the larvae.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs in dung balls; larvae develop inside these dung balls which provide nourishment.
Ecosystem Role
Plays a crucial role in nutrient recycling and soil aeration by breaking down dung and contributing to the ecosystem's health.
Economic Impact
Used in agricultural practices for dung removal, improving pasture quality, and reducing parasites associated with dung accumulation.
Collecting Methods
- Hand collecting from dung piles
- Pitfall traps in areas with known population density
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol preservation for specimens
- Drying specimens for long-term storage
Evolution
Promoted from subgenus to genus level in 1959; part of the evolutionary history linked to the adaptation for dung utilization.
Similar Taxa
- Onthophagus
- Scarabaeus
Misconceptions
Often confused with Onthophagus gazella due to outdated naming conventions.
Tags
- scarab beetle
- dung beetle
- Digitonthophagus
- Digitonthophagus gazella
- brown dung beetle