Aphodius lividus (Olivier 1789) reference beetle in the fecal matter of Patagonia creole cattle in the Rio Salado basin

Abstract

The transformation of bovine manure in the field is attributed to biotic and abiotic factors. Dung insects are the main representatives of the first group. The disaggregation generated by insects significantly favors the incorporation of nutrients into the soil, increasing the growth of forage. In circumstances where the animals' deposition remains static (mummified), nutrients do not return to the soil and the grazing surface is reduced. The objective of this work was to identify the dung fauna in depositions of Creole cattle from the Salado River basin. 68% of the specimens collected corresponded to Aphodius lividus. This beetle was the most relevant, appearing in 98% of the samples collected between 72 and 96 hours post-deposition.