Activity of Dung Beetle and its Effect on Dung Patch Existence in Grazed Pasture

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  • 糞食性コガネムシの牛糞処理活動とそれが不食過繁地の存続に及ぼす影響
  • フンショクセイ コガネムシ ノ ギュウフン ショリ カツドウ ト ソレ ガ フ

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The effects of dung beetle activity on the disappearance of cattle dung pat and dung patch existence were examined. In July 1994, 1kg fresh dung pats were artificially deposited on the pasture, which were thereafter rotationally grazed by Japanese Black cows till May 1995. Three treatments were examined; dung pat where dung beetles were excluded by a net (no beetle plot), dung pat kept under natural condition (beetle plot) and no dung deposition (control). In addition, 5 more beetle plots were prepared to estimate the population of dung beetles. The dry matter disappearance of dung pat was determined 1 week after dung deposition, and changes over days in dung pat areas were examined in both plots. The sward height was measured in 20×20cm square in which the dung pat concentrated, and in 4 squares surrounding the former. The mean number of dung beetles in beetle plots was 726.6. The dry matter disappearance of dung pat in beetle plots (23.0±7.36%) was higher than that in no beetle plots (6.9±1.79%). The dung pat existed more than 109 days in both plots. The dung patch existed during 280 days in both plots. These results indicated that dung beetles had the ability to bury about a quarter of fresh dung pat into the ground in 1 week, but there was little effect on the duration of dung patch existence.

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