Dicranocara

Dicranocara
Dicranocara
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Scarabeiformia
Superfamily: Scarabaeoidea
Family: Scarabaeidae
Genus: Dicranocara

Dicranocara is a genus of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. Dicranocara is endemic to the Richtersveld National Park. Three species are known, D. deschodti Frolov and Scholtz, D. tatasensis Deschodt and Scholtz and D. inexpectata Deschodt and Scholtz. Only D. tatasensis occurs south of the Orange River.

The species in the genus live in close association with Rock Hyraxes (Procavia capensis Pallas). These Hyraxes have communal toilets or dung middens. These middens are a stable and dependable food source for Dicranocara in a resource scarce environment. [1] [2][3][4]

References

  1. ^ Deschodt, C., Kryger, U., Scholtz, C.H. (2007) New taxa of relictual Canthonini dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) utilizing rock hyrax middens as refuges in south-western Africa. Insect Systematics and Evolution. 38:361-376
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ http://data.gbif.org/species/browse/taxon/13143053


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