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Dung beetle named after Darwin and the Darwin Initiative

Scientists working on the Darwin project Baseline Tools for Management of PN La Amistad have named a new species of dung beetle after Darwin and the Darwin Initiative. The 4mm new species, Canthidium (Eucanthidium) darwini Kohlmann & Solís, was discovered in a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica.

The beetle was collected during a series of seven expeditions to the area. The most closely related known species inhabits the Pacific slopes of the same mountain range. During the expeditions, some 30 previously unknown species of beetle, amphibian and plant were discovered.

Dung beetles are relatively specialised in the range of mammal dung and bird droppings that they consume. Dung beetles can therefore be a useful indicator of mammal and bird diversity and density.

Find out more about the project here: Baseline Tools for Management of PN La Amistad and on the project's official web page.

Photo: Angel Solis
Illustration: Claudia Aragona

Page last modified: Tuesday, 26 January 2010

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