1. Effects of livestock decreasing on the communitystructure of dung beetlesin an
arid environmentin Southeastern Spain
Esther Murciano
University of Granada, Zoology Department.
Campus Universitario Fuentenueva 18071- Granada (Spain)
One of the major threats to biodiversity is the loss and degradation of habitats. Increasing
industrialization and abandonment of traditional activities are resulting in the loss of some
anthropogenic habitats with high rates of species diversity. Variation in the community
composition of dung scarabaeid species was studied in an arid system in the southeast of the
Iberian Peninsula, in which traditional livestock presence has declined significantly over the past
decade. The aims of this studie were a) to compare differences in availability of
excrementsbetween the springs of 1997-98 and 2012-13, and b) to assess differences in
community structure by analyzing variation in abundance (total, subfamily and species) and
diversity (differences in the number of species by rarefaction). Standardized sampling protocols
were used in order to allow for temporal comparisson of the obtained data. In particular,
availability of excrements was assessed by droppings census along a fixed route approx. 1 km in
length and 2 meters wide, while sheep dropping traps were used to assess the structure of the
Scarabaeidae dung community. .
The results show that the availability of excrements in 2012-13 decreased by approximately
80% as compared to 1997-98. Additionally, the results show a significant decrease in the
abundance of the Scarabaeidae, as well as some species, especially species associated with arid
environments (Onthophagus merdarius, Mecynodes leucopterus, Bodilus longispina), while at
the same time, a general increase in the abundance of detritivorous species (Calamosternus
granarius). There are also alterations in diversity, observing a reduction in the species richness
by 30%. In conclusion, the reduced availability of excrements has caused a reduction in species
diversity and in the abundance of families and species sensitive to change.

2. Biography
In 2006, Esther completed a MSc in Natural Protected Areas at Fernando González Bernáldez
Interuniversity Foundation (University Complutense of Madrid, Autonomous University of
Madrid and University of Alcala) with a final thesis on the influence of logging on forest raptors,
in an area holding one of the largest black vulture colonies of Spain.
In 2012, she completed a MSc in Conservation, Management and Restoration of Biodiversity at
the University of Granada, her final thesis about dung beetles in an arid area of Southern Spain
was received very positively leading to a financial support from National Museum of Natural
History in order to continue with her research.
Esther has been collaborating with Doñana Biological Station and Carlos III Institute studying
bats and with the National Museum of Natural History in a research about red-billed chough. She
is very interested in the research of benefits and impacts of different human uses on biodiversity
conservation, especially on wildlife.
During the last four years she has spent most of the time in Africa working on conservation and
ecotourism projects. Currently aiming to continue her scientifical career with a PhD regarding to
beetle populations associated with livestock systems in arid environment in Africa.
esther@murciano.net