Conservation of heterogeneity among dung beetles in the Maputaland Centre of Endemism, South Africa

In southern Africa the Maputaland Centre is one of the most significant, th ough less well-known, centres of biotic endemism. Here we examine variation in dung beetle assemblages between habitats and between reserves on two Ma putaland reserves (Tembe Elephant Park and Sileza Nature Reserve). Dung bee tle assemblages were found to be homogeneous within habitat types and withi n reserves, but assemblages differed between habitat types (Sand Forest and Mixed Woodland). There was, however, significant between-reserve heterogen eity in dung beetle assemblages for each particular habitat type. Given tha t there are significant differences in both dung beetles and plants, it is clear that these forests must be conserved in both Tembe and Sileza, especi ally because of increasing damage by elephants to Sand Forests in Tembe. We identify dung beetle indicator species that are specific to each habitat t ype in each reserve, and detector species that can be used to monitor chang es in Sand Forests in those reserves. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.