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congratulations Dr Noriega On Fri, 18 Sep 2020 at 03:11, Jorge Ari Noriega Alvarado < [log in to unmask]> wrote: > Dear colleagues and friends, > > > Receive a cordial greeting. > > I have attached the PDF file of our newest paper: "Assessing the > functional relationship between dung beetle traits and dung removal, > burial, and seedling emergence" which appeared in Ecology and is > co-authored by Indradatta DeCastro-Arrazola, Joaquín Hortal, myself, and > Francisco Sánchez-Piñero. > > Abstract: The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning > is often assessed through trait diversity. However, the relationship > between traits and functions is typically assumed but seldom tested. We > analyze the relationship between dung beetle traits and three ecological > functions: dung removal, dung burial, and seedling emergence. We set up a > laboratory experiment using nine Scarabaeidae species (three endocoprids, > four paracoprids, and two telecoprids). We placed a sexual pair of beetles > in each experimental unit, together with a mixture of dung and seeds, and > measured the amount of dung removed and buried, burial depth, and the > number of emerged seedlings. Sixteen morphological traits related to dung > removal and burial were measured in each individual. Results indicate that > these traits were related to dung beetle performance in dung removal and > burial. Most traits were positively related to dung removal, indicating the > existence of a general trait syndrome associated with dung manipulation and > digging capability. Dung exploitation strategies did not provide further > explanatory power. Seedling emergence showed a negative but weak > relationship with dung burial amount and depth and species identity. This > implies that specific differences in dung– soil interface activity may be > important in secondary seed dispersal by dung beetles. > > > I hope you enjoy it. > > Best wishes, > > Jorge Ari Noriega > > -- Dr.Sabu K Thomas Principal St.Joseph's college, Devagiri, Kozhikode , 673008 Kerala State, India. PIN 673008 www:devagiricollege.org Mobile Number 9447349744