Entomophaga

, Volume 36, Issue 3, pp 353–360 | Cite as

Establishment of exotic dung beetles in Queensland: the role of habitat specificity

  • B. M. Doube
  • A. Macqueen
Article
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Abstract

Between 1968 and 1983, 22 species of dung beetles from southern Africa were released into pastoral regions of Queensland in northern Australia. Seven species have become widespread and abundant and the others either occur in isolated patches, are rare or have failed to establish self perpetuating populations. These species all occur in the Hluhluwe district in southern Africa which has a climate similar to that of coastal central and southern Queensland. The numberical abundance and habitat associations of the 22 speices were examined at Hluhluwe to seek an explanation for their performance in Australia. It was concluded that habitat specificity and the adequacy with which habitat was matched in Australia were critical factors. Species which established in Australia were relatively common in cattle dung in Africa where they showed a preference for grassland on clay-loam soils.

Key-Words

dung beetle exotic species invasion habitat specificity 

Résumé

Entre 1968 et 1983, 22 espèces de bousiers originaires du sud de l'Afrique ont été lâchées dans des régions d'élevage du Queensland, dans le nord de l'Australie. Sept espèces se sont bien dispersées et sont devenues abondantes: certaines vivent dans des zones discontinues, d'autres enfin sont rares ou n'ont pas réussi à s'établir de façon durable. Ces 22 espèces sont présentes das le district d'Hluhluwe, dans le sud de l'Afrique, où le climat est analogue à celui de la partie centrale et méridionale de la Côte du Queensland. L'abondance numérique et les caractéristiques du biotope de ces espèces ont été examinées à Hluhluwe pour essayer d'expliquer le résultat de leur introduction en Australie. Il s'avère que la spécificité dans le choix de l'habitat et la convenance du nouvel habitat sont les facteurs critiques du succès. Les espèces qui se sont établies en Australie étaient relativement communes dans les bouses du bétail d'Afrique, où elles montraient une préférence pour les prairies sur sol lourd-argileux.

Mots Clés

bousier espèce exotique introduction spécificité habitat 
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Copyright information

© Lavoisier Abonnements 1991

Authors and Affiliations

  • B. M. Doube
    • 1
  • A. Macqueen
    • 2
  1. 1.CSIRO Division of EntomologyCanberraAustralia
  2. 2.CSIRO Division of EntomologyIndooroopillyAustralia

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