Date of Award
1-20-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Biology, MS
First Advisor
Tanja McKay
Committee Members
Jerica Rich; Travis Marsico
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2024 L37
Abstract
Dung beetles play vital ecological roles, including dung removal and pest reduction. They rely on environmental temperature for activity, and forest habitats typically provide more favorable temperatures. This study occurred in Northeast Arkansas and compared dung beetle diversity in forests and pastures, finding greater diversity in forests. In addition, this study looked at abundance in one pasture 15 years apart and found that abundance remained stable over 15 years, while overall diversity increased. Thermal limit assays on three Onthophagus species provided insights into temperature tolerances. These findings offer valuable information on dung beetle abundance and diversity in the region and how climate change may impact them.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Lett, Becca Lynn, "Biodiversity And Cold Tolerance of Dung Beetles in Cattle Pastures and Forested Habitats in Northeast Arkansas" (2025). Student Theses and Dissertations. 1046.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/1046
