Data_Sheet_1_Metagenomics reveals that dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) broadly feed on reptile dung. Did they also feed on that of dinosaurs?.pdf

The origin of the dung-feeding habits in dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) is debatable. According to traditional views, the evolution of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) and their feeding habits are largely attributed to mammal dung. In this paper, we challenge this view and provide evidence that many dung beetle communities are actually attracted to the dung of reptiles and birds (= Sauropsida). In turn, this indicates that sauropsid dung may have played a crucial evolutionary role that was previously underestimated. We argue that it is physiologically realistic to consider that coprophagy in dung beetles could have evolved during the Cretaceous in response to the dung produced by dinosaurs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that sauropsid dung may be one of the major factors driving the emergence of insular dung beetle communities across the globe. We support our findings with amplicon-metagenomic analyses, field observations, and meta-analysis of the published literature.

鞘翅目（Coleoptera）粪金龟亚科（Scarabaeinae）昆虫的粪食习性起源问题尚存争议。传统观点认为，该类群的演化及其食性很大程度上源于哺乳动物粪便。本研究对此观点提出质疑，并提供证据表明，多数粪金龟群落实际上会被爬行动物与鸟类的粪便（即蜥形纲（Sauropsida））所吸引。这一发现提示，蜥形纲粪便可能在演化进程中发挥了此前被严重低估的关键作用。我们认为，从生理学层面而言，粪金龟的粪食性完全可能在白垩纪时期伴随恐龙粪便的出现而演化形成。此外，本研究证实，蜥形纲粪便或许是推动全球各岛屿粪金龟群落形成的核心驱动因素之一。本研究通过扩增子宏基因组分析、野外观测及已发表文献的荟萃分析，为上述研究结论提供了坚实的实证支撑。