62 species of dung beetles found feeding on excrement in Ecuador's Amazon

An intensive study within Ecuador's Sumaco Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated area in the Amazon, has revealed the presence of 62 distinct species of dung beetles. These insects, known as coprophagous beetles, play a crucial role in the ecosystem by feeding on animal excrement.

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The species registered represent approximately 18% of the species of coprophagous beetles known for Ecuador; however, the study also documents some whose taxonomic classification is still under discussion, "what evidences the enormous potential for biological discoveries in the reserve".

The findings, reported by the National Institute of Biodiversity (Inabio), indicate that these 62 species constitute approximately 18% of the total known dung beetle diversity in Ecuador. The research also identified several species whose taxonomic classification is still under discussion, underscoring the significant potential for new biological discoveries within the reserve.

These beetles were documented at altitudes ranging from 300 to 1,800 meters, allowing researchers to observe species characteristic of both Amazonian forests and Andean mountain ecosystems. The study highlights the essential ecological functions performed by dung beetles. By consuming and burying animal waste, they contribute significantly to nutrient cycling, enhance soil fertility, aid in seed dispersal, and help manage populations of parasites and flies.

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By feeding and burying animal excrement, they contribute to nutrient recycling, improve soil quality, disperse seeds and help control parasites and flies.

Consequently, dung beetles are considered key indicators of environmental health in forest ecosystems. The Sumaco Biosphere Reserve itself spans over 900,000 hectares in Ecuador's eastern Andes, harboring a vast array of flora and fauna, as well as indigenous Kichwa communities. Researchers emphasize that large portions of the reserve remain scientifically unexplored, suggesting that future studies could uncover more new species and deepen our understanding of Amazonian biodiversity.

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For this reason, they are considered key indicators of the environmental health of forests.