The dung beetles of Gran Paradiso National Park: a preliminary analysis (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)

Abstract

A survey of the dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) of Gran Paradiso National Park was done in 1996-97. The insects were collected directly in the dung of wild and reared mammals or by automated pitfall traps. Altogether 28 sites were sampled, at altitudes ranging from 700 to 2800 m. Thirty species of Scarabaeoidea were collected, of which 27 inside the borders of the protected area and another 3 just outside of them, at low altitude sites. The dung beetle community was dominated by Aphodiidae (20 species), while Scarabaeidae and Geotrupidae were represented by 6 and 4 species respectively. Among the species found, we remark the presence of Aphodius pyrenaeus, a high altitude species typical of Alpine marmot’s burrows, and of Geotrupes mutator, whose distribution and population have strongly decreased in Europe.