| Oxysternon festivum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Scarabaeidae |
| Genus: | Oxysternon |
| Species: | O. festivum |
| Binomial name | |
| Oxysternon festivum | |
Oxysternon festivum is a species of dung beetle of the scarab beetle family. It is a common, diurnal species from northeastern South America and Trinidad where it mostly inhabits forest. [2] [3]
Oxysternon festivum was among the first dung beetle species studied by zoologist in the early 18th century. The first illustration of an "exceedingly beautiful shining gold and red, three horned beetle" was published in 1747 by August Johann Rösel von Rosenhof, and a first description was done by Laurens Theodorus Gronovius in 1764, but the names applied were non-binomial and therefore invalid for nomenclatural purposes. [4] [5] [6] It was later re-described by Carl Linnaeus under the name of Scarabaeus festivus, and was subsequently included in most publications regarding exotic insects in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
O. festivum was once assigned to the genus Sternaspis, but the name was preoccupied and thus invalid. Laporte, writing under the pen name of Le Compte de Castelnau, proposed the genus Oxysternon to include several species of Phaneus -like species with a long, spiniform extension of the anterior angle of the metasternum. O. festivum was later designated as the type species of this genus. [7] [12]
Two color phases were described as aberrations by Olsoufieff in 1924, and formalised as subspecies by Arnaud in 2002, using the names O. festivum nigerrimum for the black form from Trinidad and O. festivum viridanum for the green form of the South American mainland. However, the green form occurs uncommonly but widely together with the typical coppery-red form of the South American mainland, leading later authorities to recognize the former as a morph, not a separate subspecies. [2]
This species largely is restricted to the Guiana Shield and can be found in French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, eastern Colombia, northeastern Brazil, and Trinidad. [2] [13] The vast majority of its range is north of the Amazon River. [2]
O. festivum mostly lives in tropical humid forests, but may also occur in savanna and can tolerate certain degree of habitat changes. [2] [13] It occurs from near sea level to an altitude of 1,500 m (4,900 ft). [2]
Adults are 14–25 mm (0.55–0.98 in) long, with average being 21 mm (0.83 in). [2] [3] The species show sexual polymorphism: Major males are horned and females are hornless, while minor males are hornless and often smaller than major males. Females and minor males differ in details of the head shape, specifically the transverse carina. [2]
O. festivum has a colored upperside and black head and underside; the pronotum is smooth. As most Oxysternon species, it has considerable variation in the color of the upperside. In mainland South America, it is typically metallic coppery-red, sometimes with greenish highlights, but occasionally it can be metallic green or rarely black with reddish tones. On the island of Trinidad, the upperside is entirely black and thus it is considered as a separate subspecies, O. festivum nigerrimum. [2]
O. festivum is attracted to dung, carrion and fruits as food resources, but only commonly feeds and breeds on dung from mammals, less frequently carrion. [3] [12] [14]
It has not been studied in O. festivum, but in related species of dung beetles where it has been studied the distinct male morphotypes are associated with different reproductive tactics: major males fight for females and guard and defend burrows actively, while minor males evade fights and try to sneak to the burrows to mate with females. [15]
The family Scarabaeidae, as currently defined, consists of over 35,000 species of beetles worldwide; they are often called scarabs or scarab beetles. The classification of this family has undergone significant change. Several groups formerly treated as subfamilies have been elevated to family rank, and some reduced to lower ranks. The subfamilies listed in this article are in accordance with those in Catalog of Life (2023).
Guillaume-Antoine Olivier was a French entomologist and naturalist.
The scarab beetle subfamily Scarabaeinae consists of species collectively called true dung beetles. Most of the beetles of this subfamily feed exclusively on dung. However, some may feed on decomposing matter including carrion, decaying fruits and fungi. Dung beetles can be placed into three structural guilds based on their method of dung processing namely rollers (telecoprids), dwellers (endocoprids) and tunnelers (paracoprids). Dung removal and burial by dung beetles result in ecological benefits such as soil aeration and fertilization; improved nutrient cycling and uptake by plants, increase in Pasture quality, biological control of pest flies and intestinal parasites and secondary seed dispersal. Well-known members include the genera Scarabaeus and Sisyphus, and Phanaeus vindex.
Ataenius is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae. There are at least 290 described species in Ataenius.
Diplotaxis is a large genus of scarab beetles in the subfamily Melolonthinae. There are at least 250 described species in the genus Diplotaxis distributed over North and Central America.
Onthophagus taurus, the taurus scarab, is a species of dung beetle in the genus Onthophagus and the family Scarabaeidae. Also known as the bull-headed dung beetle, it is a species that specializes in cattle dung and is widely utilized to maintain clean pastures, making it agriculturally valuable. These beetles are typically 8–10 millimetres (0.31–0.39 in) in size. The males of this species exhibit distinct characteristics: large “major” males possess long, sweeping, curved horns resembling those of a longhorn bull, while small “minor” males have tiny horns that project upward from the back of their heads. Females, on the other hand, lack horns. These small beetles are oval shaped, the color is usually black or reddish brown. Sometimes the pronotum has a weak metallic sheen.
Exophthalmus is a genus of broad-nosed weevils in the family Curculionidae. It contains 85 described species.
Phanaeus, the rainbow scarabs, is a genus of true dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, ranging from the United States to northern Argentina, with the highest species richness in Mexico. Depending on species, they can inhabit a wide range of habitats, from tropical to temperate climates and deserts to rainforests. In those living in relatively arid places adults are primarily active during the wet season and those living in relatively cold places are primarily active during the summer. They are excellent diggers and good fliers.
Sulcophanaeus imperator is a brightly colored species of dung beetle belonging to the family Scarabaeidae. This diurnal, coprophagous beetle is native to south-central South America and generally common. It is paracoprid, meaning that adults dig tunnels into the soil under the food source and move parts of the food source to a nest chamber where the eggs are laid.
Oxysternon is a Neotropical genus of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae) in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. It can be distinguished from all other phanaeines and scarabaeine dung beetles by a long, spiniform extension of the anterior angle of the metasternum. Most species vary in color and pattern, and are more commonly found in tones of green, often infused with yellow or coppery highlights. All species appear very smooth or glassy smooth to the unaided eye.
Canthon quadriguttatus is a species of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles. It is found in Brazil, Colombia and Suriname.
Corticaria impressa is a species of minute brown scavenger beetles native to Europe.
Cartwrightia is a genus of scarab found in Latin America. It was named and circumscribed in 1958 by Federico Islas Salas. As of 2017, three species are recognized: C. intertribalis, C. cartwrighti, and C. islasi. They can be found in the nests of leafcutter ants or in dung.
Cartwrightia cartwrighti is a species of aphodiine scarab found in South America. Oscar L. Cartwright named the species in 1967 after his brother. C. cartwrighti has been recorded in cow dung in pastures and forests.
Phanaeini is a tribe of dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae. There are about 12 genera and 200 described species in Phanaeini. They are native to the Americas with the highest species richness in the Neotropics. They are mostly coprophagous or necrophagous, but some of the least known genera appear to be myrmecophilous. They are medium-sized to large beetles, often with bright metallic colors, and often with horns on their heads.
Oxyomus sylvestris is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It occurs in Europe, the Near East, and North Africa. It is saprophagous rather than a "true" dung beetle.
Ateuchini is a tribe of dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae. There are at least 30 genera and 370 described species in Ateuchini.
Monardiella is a genus of leaf beetles in the subfamily Eumolpinae. Mondardiella can be found in Africa.
Oxysternon conspicillatum is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in both evergreen and semi-deciduous mesic forests, including disturbed habitats, ranging from near sea level to an altitude of 3,000 m (9,800 ft) in the Amazon basin and Chocó of tropical South America and Panama, possibly extending as far west as the border region with Costa Rica. Both adults and young of this common and widespread beetle primarily feed on dung, but the species has also been recorded feeding on dead animals.
Coprophanaeus lancifer is a large species of beetle belonging to the family Scarabaeidae.