Abstract
From a study of the reproductive behaviour of the dung beetle Typhaeus typhoeus it is concluded that cylindrical structures
filled with soil material in sandy soils of The Netherlands are the result of the back-filling of burrows by scarab beetles.
filled with soil material in sandy soils of The Netherlands are the result of the back-filling of burrows by scarab beetles.
Apparently ancient structures of this type were dated using data on fossil beetle remains and on clay illuviation. The microstructures of the infillings of back-filled burrows and of the undisturbed matrix were quantified and compared.
To develop a method to predict the beetles' contribution to the genesis of sandy soils, the habitat selection of T . typhoeus was studied, as influenced by soil temperature, soil bulk density, soil moisture and the availability of dung.
| Original language | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Awarding Institution | |
| Supervisors/Advisors |
|
| Award date | 1 Nov 1985 |
| Place of Publication | Wageningen |
| Publisher | |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 1985 |
Keywords
- animal behaviour
- ecology
- habits
- Scarabaeidae
- soil fauna
- soil structure
- Trogidae
- scarabaeoidea