Habitat type and altitude work in tandem to drive the community structure of dung beetles in Afromontane forest

Dung beetles are a species group highly recognized for their sensitivity to anthropogenically induced change. There few studies of the dung beetle communities found in Afromontane forests despite these forming part global hotspot biodiversity. We used comparisons diversity investigate effect habitat and altitude on composition Scarabaeidae six types identified indicator associated with each forest type. A total 8020 individuals from 34 belonging 16 genera were captured at twelve transect locations across 1.5 km altitudinal gradient. All indices measuring dominance showed significant differences between little overlap detected each. Altitude was negatively correlated abundance, richness, diversity, there also richness zones. Eight potential use future conservation management or monitoring programs. This study no relationship type but an interaction two factors. conjunction main factors shaping this forest. Our results suggest most important characteristic determining community structure mean canopy cover per Results previous short conducted 1974 indicate while caught 40 years ago present day seven which absent. have climatic distributions centered around wet highlands East Africa further work is urgently required understand why longer detectable ANP. implications as they underscore importance preserving heterogeneity maintain maximum within mountain ecosystems. The high turnover zones should heighten instigating initiatives regions.