The external rumen of dung beetles: Complex interactions between larvae and their ontogenetic environments shape growth and life history

Organisms are not just passive recipients of environmental pressures but are able to shape the environment they experience. However, the mechanisms and the evolutionary implications of such niche construction remain poorly understood. Larvae of the gazelle dung beetle (Digitonthophagus gazella) extensively modify their environment and benefit from microbial symbionts to digest their cellulose-rich diet. These modifications are so extensive that previous research suggests that dung beetle larvae establish an “external rumen”, where behavioral adaptations promote beneficial symbionts that enhance nutrient availability in the developmental environment. However, the mechanisms underlying these environmental modifications and their impact on species differences remain unclear. To investigate the external rumen hypothesis, we study the impact of larval environmental modifications on adult life-history traits in the dung beetle Digitonthophagus gazella. We did this by transplanting eggs into m..., , # The external rumen of dung beetles: Complex interactions between larvae and their ontogenetic environments shape growth and life history

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.z8w9ghxqv](10.5061/dryad.z8w9ghxqv)

## Description of the data and file structure

**ExRuDB1.csv**

Development data for individuals who made it past 7 days. Empty cells represent that the data was not determined.

* **Block**:
* Block 1 = 8/29/2024 - 10/19/2024
* Block 2 = 9/13/2024 - 10/31/2024
* Block 3 = 09/22/2024 - 11/16/2024
* Dates include breeding container and brood ball collection
* **Treatment**:
* 8-UB = Unmodified Control incubated for 8 days
* 1-UB = Fresh unmodified control
* HET = O. binodis modified brood ball
* CON = D. gazella modified brood ball
* **plate = treatment + number**: 8-UB1 = Unmodified Control incubated for 8 days
* **position**: Position in the 12-well plate A-C, 1-4
* **ID**: Individual identifier
* **Date hatched**: Date the focal egg hatched
* **Day5LW**: Focal larval ...,