Prairie-dog-associate
Guides
Alloblackburneus cynomysi
Alloblackburneus cynomysi is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described from the south-central United States. The species epithet "cynomysi" references its association with prairie dogs (genus Cynomys), indicating a commensal or symbiotic relationship with these burrowing rodents. Members of this genus are generally dung beetles, and this species likely exploits the unique ecological niche provided by prairie dog colonies. The species remains poorly studied, with most records limited to historical collections.
Boreocanthon praticola
Boreocanthon praticola is a small dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. Its distribution spans the Great Plains from southern Canada to Texas, extending into the American Southwest and northwestern Mexico. The species exhibits a strong ecological association with prairie dog colonies, where it feeds primarily on prairie dog dung pellets. It has been documented in the fossil record from the La Brea tar pits in California, indicating a broader historical range.