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Biodivers Data J
Biodivers Data J
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urn:lsid:arphahub.com:pub:F9B2E808-C883-5F47-B276-6D62129E4FF4
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:245B00E9-BFE5-4B4F-B76E-15C30BA74C02
Biodiversity Data Journal
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1314-2828
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10.3897/BDJ.12.e126697
126697
24651
Data Paper (Biosciences)
Scarabeidae
Coleoptera
Databases
Sabah
Malaysia
Asia
A comprehensive synthesis of dung beetle records (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) from Sabah, Malaysia
Yim Marx W-H. marxyim@gmail.com
1
Ong Xin Rui 1
Chiew Li Yuen 1
Slade Eleanor M. eleanor.slade@ntu.edu.sg
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6108-1196
1
1 Tropical Ecology & Entomology Lab, Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore Tropical Ecology & Entomology Lab, Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University Singapore Singapore
Corresponding authors: Marx W-H. Yim (marxyim@gmail.com), Eleanor M. Slade (eleanor.slade@ntu.edu.sg).
Academic editor: Matthias Seidel

2024
12 9 2024
12 e126697B1E87093-C2A4-550B-8E01-8EB4832A1DBC02 5 2024
09 8 2024
Marx W-H. Yim, Xin Rui Ong, Li Yuen Chiew, Eleanor M. Slade
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract

Background

Dung beetles play key roles in terrestrial ecosystems, contributing to many important ecosystem process and functions, such as nutrient recycling, parasite control and seed dispersal. Due to their tight associations with mammals and their responses to environmental change, they are also frequently used as environmental and biological indicators. Despite their importance, knowledge about dung beetles in Southeast Asia is limited. To address this information gap, we established a databasing project - “Mobilising data on ecologically important insects in Malaysia and Singapore” - funded by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). As part of this project, we compiled two extensive datasets – a sampling-event and occurrence dataset and a taxonomic checklist – for the dung beetles of Sabah, Bornean Malaysia. The sampling-event dataset documents 2,627 unique sampling events and 21,348 dung beetle occurrence records for Sabah. The taxonomic checklist includes 156 confirmed dung beetle species and 36 synonyms, totalling 192 records. These datasets have been made open access through the GBIF portal, which we hope will enhance the understanding of dung beetle taxonomy and their distributions in Southeast Asia.

New information

All data presented in this paper comprises of available information pertaining to the dung beetles of Sabah.

Keywords Dung beetles
Coleoptera
Scarabaeidae
Scarabaeinae
Sabah
Malaysia
Borneo
GBIF
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) through the Biodiversity Information Fund for Asia (BIFA) sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan (MOEJ) and co-funded by a Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2 (Grant number: MOE-T2EP30221–0020) to EMS.
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pmcIntroduction

Insects comprise around 80% of terrestrial animal diversity (Stork 2018). However, the distribution and taxonomy of many insect groups remains poorly documented, particularly in tropical ecosystems (Slade and Ong 2023). Dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) are a notable example. These beetles play crucial roles in ecosystem functioning, including soil enhancement, seed dispersal, parasite control and the reduction of greenhouse gases (Nichols et al. 2008, Beynon et al. 2012, Slade et al. 2016, Keller et al. 2021). Their close association with mammal communities, relying on their dung for sustenance and breeding and their sensitivity to environmental change underscores their importance in maintaining ecosystem functioning and their use as bioindicators (Davis et al. 2001, Nichols and Gardner 2011, Audino et al. 2014, Raine and Slade 2019, Fuzessy et al. 2021). Despite their ecological significance, a comprehensive understanding of the taxonomy and distribution of dung beetles is lacking for many regions and particularly in Southeast Asia. To address this data and knowledge gap, we developed two extensive datasets - a taxonomic checklist and a sampling-event and occurrence dataset for the dung beetles of Sabah, Malaysia. This forms part of a larger on-going project to mobilise data on dung beetles of Southeast Asia (Fig. 1).

We collated data from various sources, including taxonomic and ecological publications and published datasets. These data were prepared according to the Darwin Core Standard (DwC) and published open access through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) through a Biodiversity Information Fund for Asia (BIFA) funded project “Mobilising data on ecologically important insects in Malaysia and Singapore”. This project is on-going and is focused on mobilising data on dung beetles for Malaysia and Singapore. The project has multiple stages, including dataset synthesis, as well as high-resolution imaging and DNA barcoding of specimens (Fig. 1). In this paper, we focus on the development of the sampling-event and occurrence dataset and the taxonomic checklist. Our sampling-event dataset provides a comprehensive record of 2,627 unique sampling events from 1912 to 2022, encompassing over 21,348 dung beetle occurrence records across Sabah. The taxonomic checklist includes 192 records, comprising of 156 taxonomically accepted species names and 36 synonyms. In this paper, we describe the compilation of these datasets and provide a preliminary overview of the dung beetle species that occur in Sabah and their known distributions, including systematic sampling information and metadata. These datasets offer a comprehensive compilation of all known available data for dung beetles in Sabah, but have some limitations. The existing information has gaps in coverage, particularly at higher elevations and in less accessible regions. Species complexes and undescribed morpho-species are common in the original published datasets, but were omitted according to GBIF guidelines. We therefore caution that extra attention should be given to the spatial, temporal and taxonomic resolution when conducting any analysis using these datasets.

These datasets play a vital role in enhancing our understanding of dung beetle taxonomy and distribution within Southeast Asia, addressing broader challenges in tropical insect conservation (Slade and Ong 2023). Datasets such as these are essential for long-term monitoring efforts, particularly in evaluating how species respond to land-use and climate change over time. An important aspect of the overall project is in promoting an integrative taxonomic approach which combines molecular delimitation and morphological information for species identification. Specimens obtained through this project will be sequenced to generate individual DNA barcodes which will be published as a molecular barcode dataset and linked to the datasets published here. High-resolution images of each species will also be linked to these datasets alongside the creation of a comprehensive guide and key to the dung beetles of lowland Sabah.

General description

Purpose

The project “Mobilising data on ecologically important insects in Malaysia and Singapore” seeks to address the existing gaps in dung beetle taxonomy and distribution while also increasing the representation of Southeast Asian dung beetles in GBIF-mediated data. The primary objective of the project is to mobilise and digitise georeferenced records, creating open-access GBIF datasets with centralised and standardised data. These datasets are structured according to GBIF guidelines, including sampling-event and occurrence datasets and taxonomic checklists. The process of creating these datasets is covered in this data paper. In addition to providing high-quality datasets, the broader goals of the project include high-resolution imaging of specimens to create user-friendly guides and keys and DNA barcoding of specimens to help deconflict morphospecies and manuscript names and help resolve the complex taxonomy of dung beetles in the region. Through this integrative taxonomic approach, we hope to begin to overcome some of the the existing taxonomic and capacity impediments present in entomology in the region, to promote the use of dung beetles as bioindicators and to encourage their use in ecological monitoring and research projects.

Project description

Title

BIFA6_032 Mobilising data on ecologically important insects in Malaysia and Singapore

Personnel

Project PI: Eleanor Slade (Dr., Associate Professor, Tropical Ecology & Entomology Lab, Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University);

Core Team: Marx Yim (Project Officer, Tropical Ecology & Entomology Lab, Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University), Ong Xin Rui (PhD Student, Tropical Ecology & Entomology Lab, Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University), Chiew Li Yuen (Dr., Postdoctoral Researcher, Tropical Ecology & Entomology Lab, Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University);

Collaborators: Arthur Chung (Forest Research Centre, Sabah, Malaysia), Ang Yu Chen (Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Singapore), Maria Heikkila (Finnish Museum of Natural History, Luomos, Finland), Heidi Viljanen (Finnish Museum of Natural History, Luomos, Finland) and Monica Suleiman (Borneensis, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia).

Study area description

Sabah and Sarawak, Bornean Malaysia and Singapore. In this paper, we cover datasets for Sabah, Malaysia only.

Design description

This project involves: (i) dataset synthesis, (ii) high-resolution imaging and (iii) DNA barcoding of specimens. See Fig. 1 for project outline.

(i) Dataset synthesis

During the Data Collection step, we aggregated all relevant sources, including published scientific literature and datasets, while also identifying museums and repositories housing essential dung-beetle collections. In the subsequent Data Entry step, information was extracted verbatim from the sources and input into preliminary datasets. Following this, in the Data Management step, all verbatim data underwent standardisation according to the Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A) biodiversity informatics standard. This step also encompassed technical cleaning to rectify errors using OpenRefine, taxonomy verification utilising the GBIF Species Checker Tool and data validation with the GBIF Validator tool. For a detailed overview of the workflow, please refer to Fig. 2.

(ii) High resolution imaging of specimens

As an ongoing part of the project, key specimens are being curated and imaged in the Image Capturing stage. These images will play a vital role in species identification, resolving conflicts in manuscript names and morphospecies. These images will also contribute to the ongoing development of a key and guide to the lowland dung beetles of Sabah. In a subsequent phase, the images will be linked to each species record within the taxonomic checklist.

(iii) DNA barcoding of specimens

To further validate and confirm the identity of a species and to help resolve species complexes and morphospecies identifications, specimens will be sequenced in the DNA barcoding stage using Next-Generation Sequencing. This will be published as a molecular barcode extension dataset at a later time.

Sampling methods

Study extent

Sabah, Bornean Malaysia

Sampling description

The dataset synthesis comprises of multiple steps. See Fig. 2 for the complete workflow of the data synthesis.

Step description

Data collection

The biodiversity data presented in the sampling-event and occurrence dataset and taxonomic checklist dataset were derived from 63 published papers and from 10 published datasets (Fig. 2) which focused on dung beetles in Sabah, Malaysia. References for all 73 data sources are available in the bibliographicCitation column within the sampling-event core and are also accessible in the reference extension linked to the core.

Data entry

We compiled all relevant verbatim data related to taxonomy, occurrence and sampling protocol information and all other relevant metadata into a single, comprehensive dataset held at the Tropical Ecology & Entomology Lab as the primary repository for all initial raw data entry. All data were manually entered into a common Microsoft Excel template. The following minimum set of variables were collected: scientific name, species counts, collection date, locality, geographic coordinates (i.e. latitude, longitude) and sampling protocol information (i.e. trap type, bait type, transect distance, trap spacing). No transformation of verbatim data occurred at this point.

Data management

The original dataset containing verbatim data was subsequently converted to adhere to the Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A) biodiversity informatics data standards. These datasets underwent a process of data cleaning to rectify typographical errors, ensure consistency in vocabulary and identify outliers. This process was conducted using OpenRefine v.3.3 (https://openrefine.org) and R. The data were then subjected to validation using the GBIF 'data validator' tool (https://www.gbif.org/tools/data-validator) and the taxonomy of an interim species checklist was confirmed using the GBIF 'species look-up' tool (https://www.gbif.org/tools/species-lookup). Following these steps, a finalised working dataset was prepared for segmentation into respective final datasets intended for publication on the Biodiversity Information Fund for Asia (BIFA) Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT) hosted by GBIF.

Final datasets

The sampling-event core, serving as the foundation for the final datasets (see Table 1), encompasses 2,627 unique sampling-events. Linked to this core is the occurrence extension, which contains 21,348 individual occurrences. The taxonomic checklist, which includes 192 dung beetle records consisting of 156 accepted species names and 36 synonyms (see Table 2), is derived from the occurrence dataset extension. A reference extension listing all 73 data sources is provided as an extension of the sampling-event core. Please refer to Table 1 for a summary of the final datasets. Each dataset adheres to specific data quality requirements and recommendations established by GBIF (see Fig. 3) to ensure the quality, completeness and overall value of the datasets. The dataset cores are interconnected with extensions using unique identifiers (Table 1, Fig. 3). All column names are controlled vocabulary as set out by DwC-A (see Table 3). Prior to publication on the GBIF IPT, all final datasets underwent secondary data cleaning using OpenRefine and validation using the GBIF ‘data validator’ tool. The taxonomic checklist was re-verified using the GBIF ‘species look-up’ tool.

Sampling-event and Occurrence Records of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) from Sabah, Malaysia Borneo (Yim et al. 2024b)

Serving as a dataset core, the sampling-event dataset comprises of rows representing unique sampling events and is represented by a unique identifier (eventID). Each sampling event contains a column, samplingProtocol, which contains protocol information such as trap type, dung type, no. of transects, no. of traps, transect length and between-trap distance. Notably, the eventRemark column is important as it determines the scale of data (i.e. trap-, site-, study-level data or taxonomic-). Most derived occurrences were sourced from data sources offering trap-level data. However, some were derived from sources that aggregated their data, presenting only site- and study-level information. Some taxonomic papers lacked individual abundance data, resulting in only species level rather than individual level occurrence data. Emphasis is placed on examining this column, as the scale the data were recorded at will determine the subsequent analysis that can be performed. This column also contains other relevant sampling protocol information, such as verbatim site name, transect name/no. and trap no. Cells containing more than one type of data are separated by ‘|’.

All rows have an eventDate which is standardised according to yyyy-mm-dd to demarcate a specific date (see Table 3 for other ways an eventDate can be arranged). Geographic coordinates are provided in decimal degrees for latitude and longitude and checked using Google Maps. In instances where verbatim geographic coordinates are absent from the source, coordinates were estimated based on the locality and other available information. Each unique event can be linked back to its source through the column bibliographicCitation. A reference extension is connected to the sampling-event core using the unique identifier, eventID. Each row in the reference extension represents the bibliographic citation of each unique event.

The sampling-event dataset is supplemented by an occurrence extension which comprises the associated occurrences of all the unique sampling events found in the core. In this extension, each row is a record that was gathered during the event. Each record contains a single species name followed by the quantity that was collected. Morphospecies data were excluded in accordance with GBIF guidelines. Each occurrence can be linked back to the sampling-effort dataset through the unique identifier (eventID). The parentEventID serves to identify event(s) that occurred together, which means it is from a same single study (see Fig. 2). Detailed descriptions of fields/variables/controlled vocabulary can be found in Table 3.

Taxonomic Checklist of the Dung Beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) of Sabah, Malaysia (Yim et al. 2024a)

Within the core of the taxonomic checklist, each row represents either an accepted species name or a synonym. The scientific names are split into higher taxonomic classifications (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Subfamily, Genus, Subgenus, infragenericEpithet, specificEpithet) with the assistance of the ‘GBIF species-lookup tool’ and individually verified. Any missing information, such as subgenus, were obtained from the latest available taxonomic literature. Species names not recognised by GBIF, but that have been taxonomically accepted, were input manually. See Table 2 for the full list of accepted species and synonyms.

Authorships were authenticated, with a specific focus on the application of parentheses (round brackets). In instances where the species was described under a genus different from the original description, parentheses were used around the author and year, indicating the existence of a synonym. This is reflected in the taxonomic status column (i.e. accepted, synonym). After determining taxon rank and taxonomic status, the accepted names and original names of each species were confirmed. In cases where a record was a synonym, the accepted name of the species, if not already present, was added into the checklist, ensuring the taxonomic checklist comprises all accepted names of dung beetle species in Sabah. Basionyms of accepted species names were included into the checklist only if they originated from the utilised sources. Morphospecies from the original data were not included as per GBIF guidelines. Synonyms and accepted names were linked with unique identifiers (taxonID) using the acceptedNameUsageID and originalnameUsageID columns. Two taxon references were provided in the columns, namePublishedin and nameAccordingTo. The former contains the reference in which the species name was first established, while the later reference serves as the authoritative taxonomic reference for the record.

The taxonomic checklist is supplemented by a reference extension, with both linked through the unique identifier, taxonID. Each row in the reference extension corresponds to the bibliographic citation of the taxon occurrence.

Geographic coverage

Description

This data paper encompasses all available data of known dung beetle records in Sabah of Borneon Malaysia. See Fig. 4 for distribution of occurrence records represented in the datasets.

Coordinates

3.908 and 7.406 Latitude; 113.928 and 119.377 Longitude.

Taxonomic coverage

Description

These datasets consist of all known dung beetle occurrence records taxonomically described from Sabah, Malaysia. In total, 20 genera, 156 accepted species and 36 synonyms are represented (Table 2). This summary is derived from 21,348 occurrences constituting 217,270 individual dung beetles (see Fig. 5). It is important to note that the coverage is not exhaustive as the map shows that there are locations yet to be surveyed for dung beetles, particularly at higher elevations and in more remote regions. Nevertheless, this represents the most comprehensive effort to compile a unified taxonomic checklist and sampling-effort and occurrence dataset for the dung beetles of Sabah. There were also many morphospecies within the datasets examined that are not included within this dataset as they are not described species. The next steps are to resolve and describe new or cryptic species and to undertake genetic sequencing to create individual DNA barcodes that can be linked to GenBank (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank/). These DNA barcoding data will then be published alongside these existing datasets.

Taxa included

Rank	Scientific Name		
kingdom	Animalia		
phylum	Arthropoda		
subphylum	Arthropoda		
class	Insecta		
order	Coleoptera		
family	Scarabaeidae		
subfamily	Scarabaeinae	Dung beetles	
genus	Anoctus		
genus	Caccobius		
genus	Catharsius		
genus	Copris		
genus	Cyobius		
genus	Gymnopleurus		
genus	Haroldius		
genus	Liatongus		
genus	Microcopris		
genus	Ochicanthon		
genus	Oniticellus		
genus	Onthophagus		
genus	Panelus		
genus	Paragymnopleurus		
genus	Parascatonomus		
genus	Phacosoma		
genus	Proagoderus		
genus	Sisyphus		
genus	Synapsis		
genus	Yvescambefortius		

Temporal coverage

Notes

From 1912 to 2022

Usage licence

Usage licence

Creative Commons Public Domain Waiver (CC-Zero)

IP rights notes

These datasets on the Sabah dung beetles are fully open-access and other researchers are encouraged to share and adapt the data for their own research. When doing this researchers are encouraged to: (i) give appropriate attribution to the data providers and cite both the dataset and its accompanying publication, in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial CC-BY-NC 4.0 License, (ii) take note of the representativeness and temporal and spatial resolution of the data, (iii) feedback any issues you face, (iv) get in touch with us at Eleanor Slade (eleanor.slade@ntu.edu.sg) or Marx Yim (marx.yim@ntu.edu.sg) if you have any questions. Each dataset core will have dataset extensions and data may need to be combined and summarised for further analysis by linking the sheets through the IDs (i.e. eventID, taxonID). For analysis of events and occurrences, please always refer to “eventRemarks” to determine data type and data scale (i.e. trap-, site-, study-, taxonomic-). For species-level data, please refer to “taxonomicStatus” to avoid confusion between an accepted species and a synonym. It is essential to note that morphospecies data have been excluded from the datasets in accordance with GBIF guidelines.

These datasets represent our ongoing efforts to advance the knowledge of dung beetles in Sabah and the broader region. They will be curated and expanded as new data become available. Each update and inclusion of fresh data will result in the creation of a new version, so researchers should be aware of the specific version they are working with. In addition to these datasets, we are actively working on two extensions: a molecular barcode extension and a digital image extension. These extensions will be made openly available soon.

Data resources

Data package title

A comprehensive synthesis of dung beetle records (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) from Sabah, Malaysia

Number of data sets

2

Data set 1.

Data set name

Sampling event and occurrence records of dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) from Sabah, Malaysia Borneo

Data format

Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A)

Download URL

https://www.gbif.org/dataset/822991fc-0532-46b0-8dda-d17dd6cdb8df

Description

This sampling event and occurrence dataset comprises 2,627 unique sampling events, documenting a total of 21,348 individual occurrences of dung beetles in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The data is derived from 63 published papers and from 10 published datasets.

Data set 1. Column label	Column description	
parentEventID	An identifier for the broader event that groups this and other events. This is a globally unique identifier.	
eventID	An identifier for the set of information associated with an event (something that occurs at a place and time). It is used as a unique identifier of each event and can be interlinked between the available extensions and the core dataset. This is a globally unique identifier.	
samplingProtocol	The names of, references to, or descriptions of the methods or protocols used during an event.	
eventRemarks	Comments or notes about the event. Emphasis is placed on examining this column, as the data type (i.e. trap-, site-, study-, taxonomic-) will determine the subsequent analysis that can be performed. This column also contains other sampling such as verbatim site name, transect name/no. and trap no. Cells containing more than one type of data are separated by ‘|’.	
samplingEffort	The amount of effort expended during an event.	
sampleSizeValue	A numeric value for a measurement of the size (time, duration, length, area or volume) or a sample in a sampling event.	
sampleSizeUnit	The unit of measurement of the size (time, duration, length, area or volume) of a sample in a sampling event.	
eventDate	The date-time or interval during which an event occurred. Examples:· 2018-08-29 (some time during 29 August 2018)· 1906-06 (some time in June 1906)· 1971 (some time in 1971)· 2007-03-01/2008-05-11 (some time during the interval between 1 March 2007 and 11 May 2008)· 1900/1909 (some time during the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and the end of the year 1909)· 2007-11-13/15 (some time in the interval between 13 November 2007 and 15 November 2006).	
country	Country in which event occurred.	
countryCode	The standard code for the country in which the event occurred. Country code is as per ISO 3166-1-alpha-2 country code.	
locality	The specific description of the place.	
decimalLatitude	The geographic latitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in geodeticDatum) of the geographic centre of the event.	
decimalLongitude	The geographic longitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in geodeticDatum) of the geographic centre of the event.	
geodeticDatum	The ellipsoid, geodetic datum or spatial reference system (SRS), upon which the geographic coordinates given in decimalLatitude and decimalLongitude are based.	
associatedReferences	A reference of where the event was derived.	
basisofRecord	The specific nature of the data record (i.e. MaterialCitation).	
scientificName	The scientific name of the species, with full authorship and date information if known.	
organismQuantity	The number or value for the quantity or organism gathered from the event.	
organismQuantityType	The type of quantification system used for the quantity of the organisms.	
occurrenceStatus	A statement about the presence or absence of a taxon at a location.	
taxonRank	The taxonomic rank of the most specific name in the scientificName.	
type	The nature or genre of the resource (i.e. Event).	
kingdom	The full scientific name of the kingdom in which the Taxon is classified.	
phylum	The full scientific name of the phylum in which the Taxon is classified.	
class	The full scientific name of the class in which the Taxon is classified.	
order	The full scientific name of the order in which the Taxon is classified.	
family	The full scientific name of the family in which the Taxon is classified.	

Data set 2.

Data set name

Taxonomic checklist of the dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) of Sabah, Malaysia Borneo

Data format

Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A)

Download URL

https://www.gbif.org/dataset/c41029b7-b950-48f3-be69-60267043e020

Description

This taxonomic checklist dataset presents 192 dung beetle records consisting of 156 accepted species names and 36 synonyms of the dung beetles of Sabah, Malaysia. These data are derived from the occurrence records from 63 published papers and 10 published datasets.

Data set 2. Column label	Column description	
taxonID	A unique identifier for the taxon and can be used to linked to available extensions of the core dataset. This is a globally unique identifier.	
kingdom	The full scientific name of the kingdom in which the Taxon is classified.	
phylum	The full scientific name of the phylum in which the Taxon is classified.	
class	The full scientific name of the class in which the Taxon is classified.	
order	The full scientific name of the order in which the Taxon is classified.	
family	The full scientific name of the family in which the Taxon is classified.	
subfamily	The full scientific name of the subfamily in which the Taxon is classified.	
genus	The full scientific name of the genus in which the Taxon is classified.	
subgenus	The full scientific name of the subgenus in which the Taxon is classified.	
infragenericEpithet	The infrageneric part of a binomial name at ranks above species, but below genus.	
specificEpithet	The name of the first or species epithet of the scientificName.	
scientificName	The scientific name of the species, with full authorship and date information, if known.	
scientificNameAuthorship	The latest known author of the scientific name.	
nameAccordingTo	The reference to the source in which the specific taxon is defined. This is typically the latest authoritative taxonomic reference to species.	
namePublishedIn	A reference for the publication in which the scientificName was originally established.	
namePublishedInYear	The year in which the scientificName was published.	
taxonomicStatus	The taxonomic status of the scientificName as determined by expert opinion.	
acceptedNameUsage	The full name, with authorship and date information if known, of the currently valid or accepted Taxon.	
acceptedNameUsageID	An identifier of the name usage of the current valid or accepted taxon. This is a globally unique identifier.	
originalNameUsage	The taxon name, with authorship and date information, if known, as it originally appeared when first established. This is typically the basionym of the scientificName or senior/earlier homonym for replaced names.	
originalNameUsageID	An identifier for the name usage in which the scientific name was originally established. This is a globally unique identifier.	
taxonRank	The taxonomic rank of the most specific name in the scientificName.	
taxonRemarks	Comments of notes about the taxon or name.	
bibliographicCitation	A bibliographic reference of the resource.	

Acknowledgements

We thank Lily Shrestra from the GBIF Asia Regional Support Team, whose invaluable advice and assistance has been indispensable at every stage of the project. We would also like to express our appreciation to Gianlucca Cerullo for generously providing access to his datasets, as well as to Potopov et al. (2024), whose paper served as inspiration for our figures. Additionally, we are immensely grateful to Arthur Chung of the Forest Research Centre, Sabah for his unwavering support throughout the project, particularly in facilitating our Sabah research.

D1631611-FC7F-5419-8525-0FF4D82988B5 10.3897/BDJ.12.e126697.figure1 Figure 1. Project outline consisting of three stages and its deliverables of the project “Mobilising data on ecologically important insects in Malaysia and Singapore”.

https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1008410

26C98167-C193-55B3-8D5B-C5C3B44EFE1D 10.3897/BDJ.12.e126697.figure2 Figure 2. The workflow for the dataset synthesis comprises multiple steps. Verbatim data derived from all available data sources related to Sabah dung beetles were initially compiled into an Excel template. After manual and technical cleaning, including taxonomic verification and validation, a refined working dataset was created. This working dataset was then partitioned into the final datasets for publication.

https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1008411

3689872A-3BD0-5E64-8C06-30590C778DA1 10.3897/BDJ.12.e126697.figure3 Figure 3. Data structure of each dataset (core and extension) and their key variables. Unique identifiers which link the core and extension datasets are in bold within the grey boxes.

https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1008452

709B20A0-C8E5-573F-8524-3246CF4DC61A 10.3897/BDJ.12.e126697.figure4 Figure 4. Distribution of occurrence records represented in the datasets, with the number of records represented in hexagonal grids of approximately 100 km2.

https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1008454

770C98A9-24E3-53D8-BC5B-EAE2EB53DBA4 10.3897/BDJ.12.e126697.figure5 Figure 5. Pie charts showing the number of species (A), occurrence records (B) and recorded individuals per genus in the datasets (C).

https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1008455

Table 1. Summary of final datasets detailing the dataset type, subtype and unique identifier linking the core dataset to an extension dataset.

#	Dataset name	Dataset type	Dataset subtype	Unique identifier	
1	Sampling Event and Occurrence Records of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) from Sabah, Malaysia	Sampling-Event	Core	eventID	
2	Occurrence dataset	Occurrence	Extension	eventID	
3	Reference	Reference	Extension	eventID	
4	Taxonomic Checklist of the Dung Beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) of Sabah, Malaysia	Checklist	Core	taxonID	
5	Reference	Reference	Extension	taxonID	

Table 2. An overview of the species names within the taxonomic checklist dataset.

Scientific Name	Taxonomic Status	Taxon Rank	
Anoctuslaevis Sharp, 1875	accepted	species	
Caccobiusbinodulus Harold, 1877	accepted	species	
Caccobiusunicornis (Fabricius, 1798)	accepted	species	
Caccobiusbawangensis Ochi, Kon & Kikuta, 1997	accepted	species	
Catharsiusmolossus (Linnaeus, 1758)	proParteSynonym	species	
Catharsiusdayacus Lansberge, 1886	accepted	species	
Catharsiusrenaudpauliani Ochi & Kon, 1996	accepted	species	
Coprisagnus Sharp, 1875	accepted	species	
Coprisgibbulus Lansberge, 1886	accepted	species	
Coprisgibbulusborneensis Ochi & Kon, 2005	accepted	subspecies	
Coprisnuma Lansberge, 1886	accepted	species	
Coprispoggii Ochi & Kon, 2005	accepted	species	
Coprisreflexus Panzer, 1794	synonym	species	
Coprisramosiceps Gillet, 1921	accepted	species	
Coprissinicus Hope, 1842	accepted	species	
Cyobiuscheyi Ochi, Kon & Kashizaki, 2006	accepted	species	
Cyobiuswallacei Sharp, 1875	accepted	species	
Gymnopleurusmaurus Sharp, 1875	synonym	species	
Gymnopleurussparsus Sharp, 1875	synonym	species	
Haroldiusborneensis Paulian, 1993	accepted	species	
Haroldiusdiscoidalis Paulian, 1993	accepted	species	
Haroldiuspauliani Scheuern, 1995	accepted	species	
Haroldiusrugatulus Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Liatongusfemoratus (Illiger, 1800)	accepted	species	
Microcoprisdoriae (Harold, 1877)	accepted	species	
Microcoprisfujiokaiporingensis Ochi & Kon, 2005	accepted	subspecies	
Microcoprishidakai Ochi & Kon, 1996	accepted	species	
Microcoprisreflexus (Fabricius, 1787)	accepted	species	
Ochicanthoncrockermontis Krikken & Huijbregts, 2007	accepted	species	
Ochicanthondanum Krikken & Huijbregts, 2007	accepted	species	
Ochicanthondytiscoides (Boucomont, 1914)	accepted	species	
Ochicanthongangkui (Ochi, Kon & Kikuta, 1997)	accepted	species	
Ochicanthonhikidai (Ochi, Kon & Kikuta, 1997)	accepted	species	
Ochicanthonkikutai Ochi, Ueda & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Ochicanthonkimanis Krikken & Huijbregts, 2007	accepted	species	
Ochicanthonmaryatiae Ochi, Ueda & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Ochicanthonmasumotoi (Ochi & Araya, 1996)	accepted	species	
Ochicanthonparantisae (Ochi, Kon & Kikuta, 1997)	accepted	species	
Ochicanthonrombauti Krikken & Huijbregts, 2007	accepted	species	
Ochicanthontambunan Krikken & Huijbregts, 2007	accepted	species	
Ochicanthonworoae Ochi, Ueda & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Oniticellussarawacus Gillet, 1926	synonym	species	
Oniticellustessellatus Harold, 1879	accepted	species	
Onthophagusfujiii Ochi & Kon, 1995	accepted	species	
Onthophaguslimbatus (Herbst, 1789)	accepted	species	
Onthophagusluridipennis Boheman, 1858	accepted	species	
Onthophagusnigriobscurior Ochi, Kon & Tsubaki, 2009	accepted	species	
Onthophagusparviobscurior Ochi, Kon & Tsubaki, 2009	accepted	species	
Onthophaguscheyi Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusdanumensis Ochi, Kon & Barclay, 2009	accepted	species	
Onthophagushikidai Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusliwagensis Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusmasaoi Ochi, 1992	accepted	species	
Onthophagusparamasaoi Ochi, Kon & Barclay, 2009	accepted	species	
Onthophagusworoae Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusyumotoi Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusdiabolicus Harold, 1877	accepted	species	
Onthophagusarayai Ochi & Kon, 2007	accepted	species	
Onthophagusdeliensis Lansberge, 1885	accepted	species	
Onthophagustridentitibialis Ochi & Kon, 2008	accepted	species	
Onthophagusangustatus Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophagusaphodioides Lansberge, 1883	accepted	species	
Onthophagusazusae Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusbatillifer (Sharp, 1875)	accepted	species	
Onthophagusborneensis Harold, 1877	accepted	species	
Onthophaguscervicapra Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophaguscupreopastillatus Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusfalculatus Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophagushosomai Ochi & Kon, 2014	accepted	species	
Onthophagusincisus Harold, 1877	accepted	species	
Onthophagusishiii Ochi & Kon, 1995	accepted	species	
Onthophaguskashizakii (Ochi & Kon, 2005)	accepted	species	
Onthophaguskawaharai Ochi & Kon, 2007	accepted	species	
Onthophagusmagnioculus Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusmatsuii Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusmegapacificus Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusobscurior Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophagusopacihartiniae Ochi & Kon, 2015	accepted	species	
Onthophagusotai Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophaguspacificus Lansberge, 1885	accepted	species	
Onthophaguspastillatus Boucomont, 1919	accepted	species	
Onthophagusphillippsorum Krikken & Huijbregts, 1987	accepted	species	
Onthophagusrobertopoggii Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusrutilans Sharp, 1875	accepted	species	
Onthophagusrutilansaborneensis Ochi, Kon & Tsubaki, 2009	accepted	subspecies	
Onthophagussabahensis Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagussepilokensis Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagussimboroni Ochi & Kon, 2006	accepted	species	
Onthophagusvulpes Harold, 1877	accepted	species	
Onthophaguswaterstradti Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophagustrituber (Wiedemann, 1823)	accepted	species	
Onthophagusanitidus Ochi & Kon, 2005	synonym	species	
Onthophagusbrendelli Ochi, Kon & Barclay, 2008	synonym	species	
Onthophagusbundutuhanensis Ochi, Kon & Barclay, 2008	synonym	species	
Onthophagusdanumcupreus Krikken & Huijbregts, 2009	synonym	species	
Onthophagusfujiokai Ochi & Araya, 1996	synonym	species	
Onthophagusgunsalami Ochi & Kon, 2005	synonym	species	
Onthophaguskatoi Ochi & Araya, 1996	synonym	species	
Onthophaguskatoiporingensis Ochi & Kon, 2005	synonym	subspecies	
Onthophaguskikutai Ochi & Kon, 2005	synonym	species	
Onthophagusliewi Ochi & Kon, 2005	synonym	species	
Onthophagusmonticupreus Krikken & Huijbregts, 2009	synonym	species	
Onthophaguspenicillatus Harold, 1879	synonym	species	
Onthophagusporingensis Ochi & Kon, 2005	synonym	species	
Onthophagusrudis Sharp, 1875	synonym	species	
Onthophagussarawacus Harold, 1877	synonym	species	
Onthophagussayapensis Ochi & Kon, 2005	synonym	species	
Onthophagussemiaureus Lansberge, 1883	synonym	species	
Onthophagussemicupreus (Harold, 1877)	synonym	species	
Onthophagustaichii Ochi, Kon & Barclay, 2008	synonym	species	
Onthophagustamijii Kon, Sakai & Ochi, 2000	synonym	species	
Onthophagushidakai Ochi & Kon, 1995	accepted	species	
Onthophagusjohkii Ochi & Kon, 1994	accepted	species	
Onthophagusschwaneri Snellen Van Vollenhoven, 1864	synonym	species	
Onthophaguswatanabei Ochi & Kon, 2002	synonym	species	
Onthophagusquasijohkii Ochi & Kon, 2005	accepted	species	
Onthophagusborneotagal Ochi, Kon & Barclay, 2016	accepted	species	
Onthophaguschandrai Ochi, 2007	accepted	species	
Onthophagushiroyukii Ochi, 2007	accepted	species	
Onthophaguskoni Ochi, 2007	accepted	species	
Onthophagusmaryatiae Ochi & Kon, 2005	accepted	species	
Onthophagusquasitagal Ochi & Kon, 2005	accepted	species	
Onthophaguslaevis Harold, 1880	accepted	species	
Onthophaguslaevislaevis Harold, 1880	accepted	subspecies	
Onthophagusmulleri Lansberge, 1883	accepted	species	
Onthophagussagittarius (Fabricius, 1775)	accepted	species	
Onthophagussumatranus Lansberge, 1883	accepted	species	
Onthophagusblumei Lansberge, 1883	accepted	species	
Onthophagusaereopictus Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophagusaurifex Harold, 1877	synonym	species	
Onthophagusbangueyensis Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophagusclivimerus Huijbregts & Krikken, 2011	accepted	species	
Onthophagusdeflexicollis Lansberge, 1883	accepted	species	
Onthophagusdux Sharp, 1875	synonym	species	
Onthophagusfoedus Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophagusjavaecola Balthasar, 1959	accepted	species	
Onthophaguslilliputanus Lansberge, 1883	accepted	species	
Onthophagusmentaveiensis Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophagusochromerus Harold, 1877	accepted	species	
Onthophaguspavidus Harold, 1877	accepted	species	
Onthophagusphanaeides Frey, 1956	accepted	species	
Onthophagusrorarius Harold, 1877	accepted	species	
Onthophagusrouyeri Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophagusrugicollis Harold, 1880	accepted	species	
Onthophagussideki Krikken & Huijbregts, 1987	accepted	species	
Onthophagussubcornutus Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophagustaeniatus Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Onthophagusvethi Krikken, 1977	accepted	species	
Onthophagushirsutulus Lansberge, 1883	accepted	species	
Onthophaguspeninsularis Boucomont, 1914	accepted	species	
Panelusdanumensis Ochi, Kon & Barclay, 2009	accepted	species	
Paneluskalimantanicus Ochi, Kon & Barclay, 2009	accepted	species	
Paragymnopleurusmaurus (Sharp, 1875)	accepted	species	
Paragymnopleurusmaurusmaurus (Sharp, 1875)	accepted	subspecies	
Paragymnopleurussparsus (Sharp, 1875)	accepted	species	
Paragymnopleurussparsussparsus (Sharp, 1875)	accepted	subspecies	
Paragymnopleurusspinotus (Boucomont, 1914)	accepted	species	
Paragymnopleurusstriatus (Sharp, 1875)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusrudis (Sharp, 1875)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusanitidus (Ochi & Kon, 2005)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusaurifex (Harold, 1877)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusbrendelli (Ochi, Kon & Barclay, 2008)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusbundutuhanensis (Ochi, Kon & Barclay, 2008)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusdanumcupreus (Krikken & Huijbregts, 2009)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusdux (Sharp, 1875)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusgunsalami (Ochi & Kon, 2005)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomuskatoi (Ochi & Araya, 1996)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomuskatoiporingensis (Ochi & Kon, 2005)	accepted	subspecies	
Parascatonomuskikutai (Ochi & Kon, 2005)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusliewi (Ochi & Kon, 2005)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusmonticupreus (Krikken & Huijbregts, 2009)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusporingensis (Ochi & Kon, 2005)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomussarawacus (Harold, 1877)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomussayapensis (Ochi & Kon, 2005)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomussemiaureus (Lansberge, 1883)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomussemicupreus (Harold, 1877)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomustaichii (Ochi, Kon & Barclay, 2008)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomustamijii (Kon, Sakai & Ochi, 2000)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomusfujiokai (Ochi & Araya, 1996)	accepted	species	
Parascatonomuspenicillatus (Harold, 1879)	accepted	species	
Phacosomadytiscoides Boucomont, 1914	synonym	species	
Phacosomagangkui Ochi, Kon & Kikuta, 1997	synonym	species	
Phacosomamasumotoi Ochi & Araya, 1996	synonym	species	
Phacosomaparantisae Ochi, Kon & Kikuta, 1997	synonym	species	
Phacosomahikidai Ochi, Kon & Kikuta, 1997	synonym	species	
Proagoderusschwaneri (Snellen Van Vollenhoven, 1864)	accepted	species	
Proagoderuswatanabei (Ochi & Kon, 2002)	accepted	species	
Sisyphusthoracicus Sharp, 1875	accepted	species	
Synapsiscambeforti Krikken, 1987	synonym	species	
Synapsiscambefortiporingensis Ochi, Kon & Kawahara, 2008	synonym	subspecies	
Synapsisritsemae Lansberge, 1874	accepted	species	
Yvescambefortiussarawacus (Gillet, 1926)	accepted	species	

Table 3. Description of variables within each dataset.

Column heading	Description	
Dataset 1 (Core): Sampling Event and Occurrence Records of Dung Beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeinae) from Sabah, Malaysia	
parentEventID	An identifier for the broader event that groups this and other events. This is a globally unique identifier.	
eventID	An identifier for the set of information associated with an event (something that occurs at a place and time). It is used as a unique identifier of each event and can be linked to available extensions of the core dataset. This is a globally unique identifier.	
samplingProtocol	The names of, references to, or descriptions of the methods or protocols used during an event.	
eventRemarks	Comments or notes about the event. Emphasis is placed on examining this column, as the data type and scale (i.e. trap-, site-, study-, taxonomic-) will determine the subsequent analysis that can be performed. This column also contains verbatim site name, transect name/no. and trap no. Cells containing more than one type of data are separated by ‘|’.	
samplingEffort	The amount of effort expended during an event.	
sampleSizeValue	A numeric value for a measurement of the size (time, duration, length, area or volume) or a sample in a sampling event.	
sampleSizeUnit	The unit of measurement of the size (time, duration, length, area or volume) of a sample in a sampling event.	
eventDate	The date-time or interval during which an event occurred.
Examples:
2018-08-29 (some time during 29 August 2018);

1906-06 (some time in June 1906);

1971 (some time in 1971);

2007-03-01/2008-05-11 (some time during the interval between 1 March 2007 and 11 May 2008);

1900/1909 (some time during the interval between the beginning of the year 1900 and the end of the year 1909);

2007-11-13/15 (some time in the interval between 13 November 2007 and 15 November 2006).

	
country	Country in which event occurred.	
countryCode	The standard code for the country in which the event occurred. Country code is as per ISO 3166-1-alpha-2 country code.	
locality	The specific description of the place.	
decimalLatitude	The geographic latitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in geodeticDatum) of the geographic centre of the event.	
decimalLongitude	The geographic longitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in geodeticDatum) of the geographic centre of the event.	
geodeticDatum	The ellipsoid, geodetic datum or spatial reference system (SRS) upon which the geographic coordinates given in decimalLatitude and decimalLongitude are based.	
bibliographicCitation	A bibliographic reference of where the event was derived.	
Dataset 2 (Extension): Occurrence	
parentEventID	An identifier for the broader event that groups this and other events. This is a globally unique identifier.	
eventID	An identifier for the set of information associated with an event (something that occurs at a place and time). It is used as a unique identifier of each event and can be linked back to the core of this dataset. This is a globally unique identifier.	
occurrenceID	An identifier for the occurrence. This is a globally unique identifier.	
basisofRecord	The specific nature of the data record (i.e. MaterialCitation)	
scientificName	The scientific name of the species, with full authorship and date information, if known.	
organismQuantity	The number or value for the quantity or organism gathered from the event.	
organismQuantityType	The type of quantification system used for the quantity of the organisms.	
occurrenceStatus	A statement about the presence or absence of a taxon at a location.	
taxonRank	The taxonomic rank of the most specific name in the scientificName.	
type	The nature or genre of the resource (i.e. Event).	
Dataset 3 (Extension): Reference	
eventID	A unique identifier for the reference that can be linked to the event in which it was derived from. This is a globally unique identifier.	
bibliographicCitation	A bibliographic reference of the resource.	
Dataset 4 (Core): Taxonomic Checklist of the Dung Beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) of Sabah, Malaysia	
taxonID	A unique identifier for the taxon and can be used to linked to available extensions of the core dataset. This is a globally unique identifier.	
kingdom	The full scientific name of the kingdom in which the Taxon is classified.	
phylum	The full scientific name of the phylum in which the Taxon is classified.	
class	The full scientific name of the class in which the Taxon is classified.	
order	The full scientific name of the order in which the Taxon is classified.	
family	The full scientific name of the family in which the Taxon is classified.	
subfamily	The full scientific name of the subfamily in which the Taxon is classified.	
genus	The full scientific name of the genus in which the Taxon is classified.	
subgenus	The full scientific name of the subgenus in which the Taxon is classified.	
infragenericEpithet	The infrageneric part of a binomial name at ranks above species, but below genus.	
specificEpithet	The name of the first or species epithet of the scientificName.	
scientificName	The scientific name of the species, with full authorship and date information, if known.	
scientificNameAuthorship	The latest known author of the scientific name.	
nameAccordingTo	The reference to the source in which the specific taxon is defined. This is typically the latest authoritative taxonomic reference to species.	
namePublishedIn	A reference for the publication in which the scientificName was originally established.	
namePublishedInYear	The year in which the scientificName was published.	
taxonomicStatus	The taxonomic status of the scientificName as determined by expert opinion.	
acceptedNameUsage	The full name, with authorship and date information, if known, of the currently valid or accepted Taxon.	
acceptedNameUsageID	An identifier of the name usage of the current valid or accepted taxon. This is a globally unique identifier.	
originalNameUsage	The taxon name, with authorship and date information if known, as it originally appeared when first established. This is typically the basionym of the scientificName or senior/earlier homonym for replaced names.	
originalNameUsageID	An identifier for the name usage in which the scientific name was originally established. This is a globally unique identifier.	
taxonRank	The taxonomic rank of the most specific name in the scientificName.	
taxonRemarks	Comments of notes about the taxon or name.	
Dataset 5 (Extension): Reference	
taxonID	A unique identifier for the reference which corresponds to the bibliographic citation of the taxon occurrence. This is a globally unique identifier.	
bibliographicCitation	A bibliographic reference of the resource.
==== Refs
References

Audino L. D. Louzada J. Comita L. 2014 Dung beetles as indicators of tropical forest restoration success: Is it possible to recover species and functional diversity? Biological Conservation 169 248 257 10.1016/j.biocon.2013.11.023
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Davis A. J. Holloway J. D. Huibregts H. Krikken J. Kirk Spriggs A. H. Sutton S. L. 2001 Dung beetles as indicators of change in the forests of northern Borneo Journal of Applied Ecology 38 3 593 616 10.1046/j.1365-2664.2001.00619.x
Fuzessy L. F. Benítez-López A. Slade E. M. Bufalo F. S. Magro-de-Souza G. C. Pereira L. A. Culot L. 2021 Identifying the anthropogenic drivers of declines in tropical dung beetle communities and functions Biological Conservation 256 109063
Keller N. Meerveld I V Ghazoul J Chiew L Y Philipson CD Godoong E Slade EM 2021 Dung beetles as hydrological engineers: effects of tunnelling on soil infiltration Ecological Entomology 47 84 94 10.1111/een.13094
Nichols E Spector S Louzada J Larsen T Amezquita S Favila M. 2008 Ecological functions and ecosystem services of Scarabaeinae dung beetles Biological Conservation 141 1461 74 10.1016/j.biocon.2008.04.011
Nichols E. S. Gardner T. A. 2011 Dung beetles as a candidate study taxon in applied biodiversity conservation research Nichols E. S. Ecology and evolution of dung beetles 267-291 10.1002/9781444342000.ch13
Raine E. H. Slade E. M. 2019 Dung beetle-mammal associations: methods, research trends and future directions Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences 286 20182002
Slade E. M. Riutta T. Roslin T. Tuomisto H. L. 2016 The role of dung beetles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cattle farming Scientific Report 6 18140
Slade E. M. Ong X. R. 2023 The future of tropical insect diversity: strategies to fill data and knowledge gaps Current Opinion in Insect Science 10.1016/j.cois.2023.101063
Stork N. E. 2018 How many species of insects and other terrestrial arthropods are there on earth? Annual Review of Entomology 47 1 84 94
Yim M. W. Ong X. R. Chiew L. Y. Slade E. M. 2024 Taxonomic checklist of the dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) of Sabah, Malaysia Borneo GBIF 10.15468/r8s697
Yim M. W. Ong X. R. Chiew L. Y. Slade E. M. 2024 Sampling event and occurrence records of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from Sabah, Malaysia Borneo GBIF 10.15468/kdt8vd
