Dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeinae) from high-altitude grasslands in São Joaquim National Park, Santa Catarina, southern Brazil

Abstract

São Joaquim National Park (SJNP), in southern Brazil, covers large areas of high-altitude grasslands (HAG), which are a conspicuous ecosystem that belongs to the Atlantic Forest domain. Previous studies recorded 6 species of dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeinae) in SJNP. Dung beetles were sampled using a standardized protocol (baited pitfall traps) at 6 HAG sites in January 2016. In this paper, an annotated list of the dung beetle species sampled in SJNP is presented. This list includes previous literature records and ecological and distributional information of the species. Nine species of Scarabaeinae were collected, including 8 of them newly recorded from SJNP. The dung beetle assemblages were composed of species having diurnal habits and colorful bodies, and showing a similar proportion of roller–tunneller, and coprophagous–trophic generalist species. New studies could substantially increase the number of dung beetle species in the SJNP.