Diversity of the dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) in an altitudinal gradient in the east slope of los Andes, Napo province, Ecuador

We present a preliminary analysis of the diversity of dung beetles in an altitudinal gradient on the East slope of Los Andes, Napo province, Ecuador. We sampled 12 localities within a 2200-m altitudinal gradient (400–2600 m a.s.l.) using pitfall traps with 2 different baits. We registered 2215 individuals distributed within 14 genera and 54 species. Ontherus pubens was the most abundant species, with registers in 10 locations that cover an altitudinal gradient of 2021 m. We also found species associated to low, medium, and high elevation levels, as well as species located on either extreme of the altitudinal gradient. The most abundant genus was Onthophagus, and the most speciose Uroxys. This survey provides 14 new registers for the Napo province and 5 novel registers for Ecuador. We present a detailed list of the species present in the Napo province with their distribution ranges, relocation guilds, and food resource preferences.