Composition, structure, and competitive behaviour in a guild of Ecuadorian rain forest dung beetles ( Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae).

The guild consisted of 11 genera and 31 species of Scarabaeidae. Relative abundances were highly equitable. Population densities were high and stable through the transition from wet to dry season. Competition for dung was intense, and removal and burial rates were rapid. Resource use differed between genera and species in diel flight activity, foraging and dung removal methods, and behavior. Interspecific aggression and dung stealing behaviors were well developed. Reproductive activity was inversely correlated with aggression and parental investment.-from Author