Data from: The Activity of Dung Beetles Increases Foliar Nutrient Concentration in Tropical Seedlings

Dung beetles are extensively used as a focal taxon in tropical forests. Yet, information for most of their ecological functions comes from other systems. We present results from a field experiment in a tropical rainforest showing that dung beetle activity increases foliar phosphorus concentration in seedlings of the tree Brosimum lactescens. Our results open new lines of research to assess the multiple effects that dung beetles may have on rainforest plants.

蜣螂作为焦点类群（focal taxon）被广泛应用于热带森林相关研究中。然而，关于其多数生态功能的信息却多来自其他生态系统。我们报告了一项热带雨林野外实验的结果，该实验证实蜣螂活动可提升树种 Brosimum lactescens幼苗的叶片磷浓度。本研究结果为评估蜣螂对雨林植物的多重影响开辟了全新的研究方向。