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Collaboration for dung :)


Collaboration for dung :)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3389 W: 139 N: 3987] (10514)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Arthropods from Turkey & Cyprus [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-07-08 0:33
Viewed: 615
Favorites: 3 [view]
Points: 76
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Gymnopleurus sturmi (Mediterranean Dung Beetle) [in Turk. Dışkı Böceği]

Dung beetles (scarabs) are beetles (family Scarabaeidae, order Coleoptera) which feed partly or exclusively on feces. The antennas are distinctly clubbed, the club consisting of several flaps which can be opened out to form a fan. The jaws are not visible from above.

Many dung beetles, known as rollers, are noted for rolling dung into spherical balls, which are used as a food source or brooding chambers. Other dung beetles, known as tunnellers, bury the dung wherever they find it. A third group, the dwellers neither roll nor burrow: they simply live in manure. The size of a dung beetle varies from species to species (in here these beetles are approx. 1 cm). The "dwellers" are usually small and elongate. Dung beetles are basically black, brown or purplish yellow in color; some are of metallic luster, especially the tropical species. Most dung beetles have a flattened, but stout body. The male of some species has horns at the head or thorax. Some dung beetles, other than the "dwellers", have strong, often "toothed" legs specialised for rolling dung and burrowing.

Dung beetles live in many different habitats, including desert, farmland, forest, and grasslands. They do not like extremely cold or dry weather. They occur on all continents except Antarctica.

Dung beetles eat dung excreted by herbivores and omnivores, and prefer that produced by the former. Many of them also feed on mushrooms and decaying leaves and fruits. They do not need to eat or drink anything else because the dung provides all the necessary nutrients. The larvae feed on the undigested plant fiber in the dung, while the adults do not eat solid food at all. Instead they use their mouthparts to squeeze and suck the juice from the manure, a liquid full of micro-organisms and other nutrients (as well as the body fluids from some unlucky animals such as dung-feeding maggots that sometimes get trapped between their mandibles).

Most dung beetles search for dung with the aid of their strong sense of smell. Some of the smaller species, however, simply attach themselves to the dung-providers to wait for their reward. After capturing the dung, a dung beetle will roll it, following a straight line despite all obstacles. Sometimes dung beetles will try to steal the dung ball of another beetle, so the dung beetles have to move rapidly away from a dung pile once they have rolled their ball to prevent it from being stolen. In 2003, researchers found that a species of dung beetle navigates by using polarization patterns in moonlight. The species in question is the African Scarabaeus zambesianus. The discovery is the first proof that any animal can use polarized moonlight for orientation.

The "rollers" roll and bury a dung ball either for food storage or for making a brooding ball. In the latter case, two beetles, one male and one female, will be seen around the dung ball during the rolling process. Usually it is the male that rolls the ball, with the female hitch-hiking or simply following behind. In some cases the male and the female roll together. When a spot with soft soil is found, they stop and bury the dung ball. They will then mate underground. After the mating, both or one of them will prepare the brooding ball. When the ball is finished, the female lays eggs inside it, a form of mass provisioning. Some species do not leave after this stage, but remain to safeguard their offspring.

The dung beetle goes through a complete metamorphosis. The larvae live in brood balls made with dung prepared by their parents. During the larval stage the beetle feeds on the dung surrounding it.

The behaviour of the beetles was much misunderstood, until the pioneering studies of Jean Henri Fabre. For example, Fabre corrected the myth that a dung beetle would seek aid from other dung beetles when confronted by obstacles.

Bayram

Ps. The total body length of these Dung Beetles are aprrox. 1 cm :).

References:

1. Wikipedia .
2. Chinery, M. (1986). Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe, Collins, Glasgow, 320 pp.
bahadir, cypturk, SelenE, nkasot, Heaven, zulfu, haraprasan, lousat, maurydv, eng55, ammodytes, GLEM, goldyrs, mayuresh, JORAPAVI, spalaxtr, montivipera, xTauruSx, Amadeo, rousettus, jaycee, Silvio2006, Jamesp, CeltickRanger, Gert-Paassen, NinaM, uleko, jpdenk, Argus, gpeler, yasemin, meyerd has marked this note useful
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To meyerd: Hi Dietrichboreocypriensis 1 07-14 00:57
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Critiques [Translate]

TN'de Harmanın böylesi hiç görülmemiştir sanırım hocam:D. Eşeyler arası dışkı için işbirliğini yansıtacak en güzel kareleri bir araya getirmişsiniz. Mükemmel ve eğitici olmuş. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

What funy shots:D showing the team of Dung beetles. You captured that action very well and the details are great.
I loved the collate, definitely shows off why they called Dung Beetles:). Thanks for sharing this. Warm regards... cypturk

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2301 W: 59 N: 3645] (11678)
  • [2008-07-08 1:02]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Bu agir iscileri isbasinda cok iyi goruntulemissiniz, sunumu cok begendim :o)
Selamlar

Her karesi anlamlı ve olduça detaylı mükemmel bir seri ve önemli bir bilimsel sunum. Elinize sağlık. Bayram hocam.
Nazım

Very Good Bayram - what a "dung" job!! :-)
Good notes to - very interesting.
Have a great week!
Regards
Betsie

Hi Bayram!

Your series is just wonderful and, moreover, humerous. I'm so glad to see it and called my wife because we had great fun and interest this spring on the island of Krk (Croatia) where we observed during many minutes the incredible work of these insects. We were of course pleased to read your interesting and instructive notes.

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 455 W: 0 N: 69] (488)
  • [2008-07-08 2:02]

Dışkı böceğinin beslenme ve hareket biyolojisine dair, her açıdan mükemmel kareler ve yararlı bilgiler. Elinize sağlık hoıcam.
Mehmet

Hi Bayram,
A nice collage of this couple of dung beetle busy at work. Very nicely captured with excellent details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi Bayram,what a great idea!! Fantastic serie of pics,i like a lot the perfect quality and the very interesting note,only you couls think to make a work like that!!My best compliments,Luciano

Bellissima sequenza di immagini che documentano splendidamente la collaborazione, ottimi POV e composizione che mostrano il superamento degli ostacoli, molto belli e naturali i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 349 W: 3 N: 375] (1115)
  • [2008-07-08 4:23]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Çok güzel bir kolaj çalışması.Her kare pırıl pırıl,net ve iyi pozlanmış.Selamlar,ellerinize sağlık!

merhaba Hocam, ne kadar guzel olmuş. daha onde belgeselde gormuştum. işlerı gercekten cok zor:D sanırım sızı gorduklerınde ölü taklıdı yaptıklarını soylemıştınız. onu da gormek ısterdım:D ellerinize sağlık hocm
İYi calışmalar
Fİliz

  • Great 
  • GLEM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 87 N: 693] (5737)
  • [2008-07-08 4:55]

Hi Bayram
very nice shot series, i like a lot this instructive pictures. Good sharpness.

gl

Hey Geckoman,
This is a diffeent avatar again!
This dung collaboration is an amazing collage from you!
Very well done!
Goldy

Hello Bayram,
excellent and outstanding collage dung beetles,you have captured very wonderful actions with superb sharpness,
well done,
tfs

Hola Bayram,
Magnífico collage de este escarabajo pelotero que nos muestras con tanto detalle en todas las imágenes, TFS. Saludos
José Ramón

Bayram merhaba, Nefis bir seri oluşturmuşsun, her biri ayrı bi güzel. Eline sağlık. Türkçesi biraz hatalı mı olmuş ne. Biz onu B-k böceği olarak biliriz.
Selamlar
Mustafa

Merhaba Hocam,
Çok güzel bir seri olmuş gerçekten, elinize ve emeğinize sağlık. Türkçe adı Pislik Böceği şeklinde kibarlaştırılabilir belki :)
Saygılarımla,
Naşit.

Harika bir seri olmuş hocam. Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

Hola Bayram, excelente presentación de este buen documento grafico. un saludo

işbirliğinin güzel bir belgesi. güzel bir kolaj çalışması olmuş hacı. pek beğendim. eline sağlık, selamlar.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1657 W: 8 N: 4252] (13851)
  • [2008-07-08 10:03]

Hi Bro,

This collage is just amazing. I remember sitting watching a colony of ants at work and being fascinated by what they could do but these beetles top that. Each picture is excellent with razor sharp details. Just magnificent.

Jane

Hi Bayram, interesting collage of photo with great details and splendid sharpness, wonderful documentation, very well done, ciao Silvio

Merhaba canim kardesm....Diski boceklerinin calismasini documentary gibi etkileyici bir sekilde yansittin....Bilgiler de muthis...Resimin her karesi canli gibi....Kompozisyon ve detaylar mukemmel...Ellerine saglik, Her zaman basarilarinin devamini tum kalbimle dilerim....Take care bro....Leyla

Hi Bayram, this is one of my favourite images, almost like a movie strip... great details, good timing and a very well presented set... really good!!!

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1179 W: 0 N: 4496] (13404)
  • [2008-07-08 12:47]

Hi Bayram

Great collage, showing how these fantastic insects live. I was not aware they lived in Turkey, though I have seen them in Kenya (another specuies?). Great detail throughout.

James

hello Bayram

excellent animating images montage, excellent idea you had,
fine POV & DOF, excellent sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

hi bayram,

good photostory of these beetles.
Beutiful pov and colours.

Gert

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2340 W: 164 N: 7010] (22194)
  • [2008-07-08 23:05]

Hello Bayram,
What a splendid presentation of this interesting species in action! I've seen this on a nature film and their behaviour is most interesting. All of your images are sharp and excellent and show the way the Beetles co-operate. Amusing too!
Many thanks, Ulla

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 977 W: 23 N: 2687] (9852)
  • [2008-07-09 3:51]

Hi Bayram,
very impressive selection of shots here, great to see this pair acting as a team like this!
well done a great posting.
Paul

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 815 W: 4 N: 2028] (9554)
  • [2008-07-09 4:12]

Hello Bayram, marvellous collage of the beetle. Excellent information. Great presentation.Ganesh

  • Great 
  • sayat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 267 W: 0 N: 181] (1037)
  • [2008-07-09 6:17]

Şahane bir kolaj olmuş, gülümsememek elde değil. Bu böcekler hep son derece sevimli gelmiştir bana, bunu çok güzel yansıtan bir çalışma olmuş, elinize sağlık.

Hello Bayram,

An excellent series of images of these interesting insects and their fascinating behavior.

Thanks,
John

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2451 W: 132 N: 6982] (21825)
  • [2008-07-09 9:13]

Hello Bayram,
A great collage showing the efforts of a pair of Mediterranean Dung Beetles getting their act together with a ball of dung. Each image is sharp and well presented, the whole effect being both educational and pleasing to see.
Thanks my friend for sharing this great compound image.
Cheers,
Ivan

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Detaylar, renkler, netlik ve kompozisyonuyla harika bir fotoğraf. Ellerinize sağlık.
Selamlar
Gamze:)

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1554 W: 233 N: 5217] (18329)
  • [2008-07-09 12:04]

Very cool collage, Geckoman! :-D
I love all the different poses here.
Excellent quality in each pic.

Great work! :-))

Well done, Bayram!

Joe

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 537 W: 0 N: 1314] (4391)
  • [2008-07-09 18:17]

Well, Bayram, that makes for a great appetizer! It is shot to the perfection, I like the collage showing us the rolling of the dung. The pictures are very sharp, very well shot and the details we get to see are superb. I had never seen such an insect, we don't have them here and I really didn't know some insects were sucking dung's juice... ouh. Thanks again for the great information and superb pictures!

Francine

pts tomorow

Hi Bayram, again,

I adore your picture series of Gymnopleurus rolling their load. I observed such beetles too with much interest. A much more important observer, Jean Henri Fabre, a famous french entomologist of the 19th century, came to the conclusion in "Souvenirs Entomologiques. Études sur l'instinct et les mours des insectes. Chapitre Le scarabée sacré" that two beetles on the same roll were competing , not collaborating with each other for the roll. He even dissected some associates to determine the sex: two partners could be of any sex. There is an internet version of the english translation on www.archive.org/details/fabresbookofinse00fabriala .

Best regards
Dietrich

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