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Visual cues used by ball-rolling dung beetles for orientation.
Marcus Byrne1, Marie Dacke, Peter Nordström
1Ecophysiological Studies Research Group, School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits 2050, South Africa. marcus@gecko.biol.wits.ac.za
Summary
Dung beetles use celestial cues, primarily the sun, for straight-line orientation while rolling dung balls. This behavior helps them navigate obstacles and find burial sites, a strategy likely incorporated from general arthropod phototaxis.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior
- Insect ecology
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Ball rolling in dung beetles is a derived behavior influenced by competition and limited space.
- Straight-line orientation using celestial cues is hypothesized as an optimal strategy for dung relocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that dung beetles use celestial cues for straight-line orientation.
- To investigate the role of the sun and artificial light sources in dung beetle navigation.
- To examine how beetles overcome obstacles while rolling dung balls.
Main Methods:
- Field and laboratory experiments with five species of ball-rolling dung beetles.
- Orientation tasks involving obstacles, reflected sunlight, and artificial light sources.
- Observation of beetle navigation after displacement (ramps, rotation).
Main Results:
- Beetles consistently oriented in a straight line, typically towards the sun.
- Dung beetles successfully navigated barriers and returned to their original path.
- The sun was the primary orientation cue, substitutable by artificial light, though less accurately.
Conclusions:
- Dung beetles incorporate sun-based phototaxis into their straight-line foraging behavior.
- This navigation strategy is crucial for efficient dung relocation to burial sites.
- The ability to orient using celestial cues is a key adaptation in ball-rolling dung beetles.