High levels of mercury contamination in a necrophage dung beetle of the Amazon rainforest (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Chaboteaux E.; Lopera Toro A.; Vega C.M.; Forsyth A. · Biotropica (2023) · DOI: 10.1111/btp.13259

Resumen

This study represents the first evidence of mercury contamination in the family Scarabaeidae, with a close focus on Coprophanaeus lancifer, the largest copro-necrophagous beetle in South America. This work shows the repartition of total mercury (THg) in the insect body and lays the groundwork for additional future studies. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.