Análise da composição faunística de besouros rola-bosta (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) em áreas de cerrado no estado do Mato Grosso

Abstract

Dung beetles are detritivorous insects that feed mainly on feces and dead animals and also use them as a resource for nesting. They are widely distributed in the world and in Brazil and are extremely important as bioindicators, in biological control, in seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, aeration and soil hydration. Because they are sensitive to the environment, local changes such as loss of habitat and changes in microclimate can negatively impact their faunal composition, causing species decline and instability in the community and the environment. The objective of this work was to study the assemblage of beetles of the subfamily Scarabaeinae in different areas of the Cerrado that will be subjected to the direct and indirect influence of agricultural activities in the state of Mato Grosso due to the installation of an enterprise, characterizing the composition, richness and abundance of these beetles. beetles and comparatively analyzing these parameters between the studied areas. Two monitoring campaigns were carried out at the Aparecida da Serra farm, in the municipality of Tangará da Serra - MT, in March and July 2018. The beetles were collected at three points (P) distributed in the site corresponding to the areas that will be impacted when the enterprise is installed, representing the treatments: P1 = Area to be Directly Affected (ADA), P2 = Area of Direct Influence (AID) and P3 = Area of Indirect Influence (AII). For the collection, pitfall-type pitfall traps were used, which were distributed into two sampling units per point, placing three traps in each unit, totaling 18 traps per campaign. After 48 hours, the traps were removed from the field. The captured insects were placed in plastic bags containing 70% ethanol and taken to the laboratory for the routine procedures of sorting, drying and identifying the specimens. A total of 1,234 individuals were collected, distributed in 36 species and 14 genera. P1 had a significantly higher number of recorded species (25 species) among the analyzed treatments, while in P2 and P3 this number was similar, each with 13 species. The most representative species when all treatments and campaigns were analyzed together were Canthidium aff. barbacenicum, Onthophagus sp.2, Ontherus dentatus and Canthidium sp.2. There was a significant difference in the number of species recorded in the two campaigns between the treatments analyzed. There was no significant environmental disturbance when analyzing the species composition of the analyzed areas. Regarding the conservation value, the Area to be Directly Affected by the project (P1) presented a better conservation value, however the presence of Dichotomus paresi (considered a rare species) in the other areas (P2 and P3) increases the conservation value of these places , based on this, measures were suggested for better management and local conservation.