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Bearing selection in ball-rolling dung beetles: is it constant?
Emily Baird1, Marcus J Byrne, Clarke H Scholtz
1Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, 22362, Lund, Sweden. emily.baird@cob.lu.se
Summary
Dung beetles vary their ball-rolling direction each time, not relying on fixed geographic or celestial cues. This variable escape strategy minimizes competition and ensures efficient dung transport.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Insect Navigation
- Ecology
Background:
- Ball rolling in dung beetles is an adaptation to avoid competition at dung piles.
- Dung beetles typically roll balls in straight lines for efficient transport and burial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how diurnal dung beetles (Scarabaeus (Kheper) nigroaeneus) select compass bearings for straight-line rolls.
- To determine if roll bearings are constant relative to geographic, celestial, or environmental cues.
Main Methods:
- Observing individual dung beetle rolls away from a dung pile.
- Analyzing roll bearings in relation to geographic, celestial, and environmental factors (e.g., wind).
Main Results:
- Beetle roll bearings were not constant with respect to geographic or celestial references.
- Environmental cues showed a weak influence on bearing selection.
- The variation in roll bearing was independent of the presence of other beetles.
Conclusions:
- Dung beetle bearing selection is not fixed but varies with each ball rolled.
- This variable strategy enhances escape efficiency and reduces competition encounters.
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