Scarabaeini

Scarabaeini is a tribe of beetles in the subfamily Scarabaeinae, within the family Scarabaeidae. It comprises true dung beetles that feed primarily on mammal dung and use it as a resource for growth and reproduction. The best-known genus in the group is Scarabaeus, but the exact composition of Scarabaeini varies among taxonomic treatments, with some schemes placing additional genera in neighboring tribes.

Members of Scarabaeini are typically robust and compact, with lamellate antennae and legs adapted for digging or handling dung. They exhibit a range of nesting strategies, including ball-rolling (telecoprid) and direct burial beneath dung (paracoprid), as well as dung dwelling in some species. These behaviors promote larval provisioning and protection from predators and desiccation.

Ecologically, Scarabaeini play important roles in nutrient cycling, soil aeration, and seed dispersal. By burying or removing dung, they help reduce parasite loads for herbivores and can influence vegetation patterns through soil modification and nutrient deposition.

Distribution and habitat vary by species, but Scarabaeini are most diverse in warm climates, particularly in Africa and parts of Europe and Asia. They inhabit a range of habitats where mammal dung is present, including savannas, grasslands, woodlands, and human-altered landscapes.

Conservation and research: Like many dung beetles, Scarabaeini are affected by habitat loss, pollution, and changes in mammal populations. They remain the subject of interest in studies of ecology, biogeography, and the evolution of parental care and reproductive strategies in dung beetles.