Aridity drives the loss of dung beetle taxonomic and functional diversity in three contrasting deserts

Aim Aridity gradients are of great interest for understanding the responses biodiversity to water availability and stress. However, little is known about many animal groups, which crucial assessing effects climate change. Here, we study aridity on dung beetle communities, a group with well-known large-scale environmental gradients. Location Sahara, Kalahari Chihuahuan deserts. Taxa Dung beetles family Scarabaeidae. Methods We conducted standardized surveys along approximately 400 km in each three deserts, measured species richness, abundance, evenness aspects trait-based functional diversity (functional dispersion). By using randomization tests linear mixed models, compared observed expected values indices from null models that hierarchically incorporate additional assembly constraints. Results Overall, found decrease both taxonomic richness dispersion Also, seems have mild evenness. Besides these general trends, identified differences between deserts diversity. Main conclusions shows greater importance than competition other processes limiting similarity or stochastic community assembly. hypervolume desert communities decreases not only due loss, but also because selection few distinct phenotypes under harsh conditions. Last, different regional pools respond ways. Therefore, future progressive driven by change requires determining how characteristics pool interact aridity-driven processes.